Ballymoney

Today we took the train into Ballymoney.  The train was REALLY nice.  Nothing like any train or subway/tube I've ever been in.  The floors were carpeted and there was a bathroom.  The ride was about an hour and 15 minutes.

We met Maynard Hanna at the train station and he took us through town.  We stopped at the memorial for Joey Dunlop a very popular motorcycle racer from the town.  And then headed to the radio station Fuse 106.2 FM where we met Gary Blair.

While at the radio station we got to pick songs and go live on the air.  Afterwards we went across the street for food.  Mmmmm...Shepherd's Pie!  Lunch was excellent and then we headed out on a tour of the town with Gary.  He showed us the Masonic Hall and Town Clock where Irishmen from the 1798 rebellion were hanged from the attached gallows and then were buried where their bodies fell.  After the clock we went down to Town Hall where we went through the museum and were told about Hiring Fairs (the people would come to the diamond to be hired to work in an Englishman's house for the year for 1 Pound.)

At town hall we met Mervyn Storey, who is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for County Antrim.  He was really nice.  I'm absolutely amazed at how much everyone seems to know not only about the history of the UK but America, as well.  After we left town hall we headed to the Old Church Graveyard where we saw the graves of Judge George Hutchinson and Alexander Gamble.  

Next we headed to a summer school where the children were playing football (that'd be soccer for those of you stateside.)  In summer school the children learn about different aspects of the culture.  They have worked with music (tin whistles, accordions, lambeg) and poetry (in the language and spelling of Ulster-Scots).  The 3 poems that we heard were amazing!  We were able to understand most of what was being said...

After parting ways with the summer school folks we headed to see a mural painted on the side of a house by Gary's father.  (Picture to follow.)

Finally we headed back to the train station to head home, passing by the oldest Church in use (1st Presbyterian).

We actually get to sleep in tomorrow.  I don't have to get up until half 8 (stateside, that means 8:30.)  We're headed to the Ulster-Scots Agency in Belfast at Franklin House tomorrow.  What exactly is in store I have no idea.  I'm sure Maynard will keep us amused, though!