Day 29 Balbriggan

Balbriggan Beach

Well I've crossed the country from one side to the other and it only took me a little over 3 hours. I went via Limerick today and most of the road was excellent - double lane highway. I stopped at the roadside stop near Roscrea and had a little break, but it was easy driving. 

It was sad leaving Lahinch this morning. I went up and had a quick cuppa with the Shannons and dropped off all the stuff in the fridge that I couldn't take with me. Then Patrick and Ellen jumped in my car, as Marie was going to lead me out via the back roads, which meant I missed all the local traffic. She left me in Inagh and it was only a short journey to Ennis from there.

Ellen Moira Patrick

Patrick in Moira's car!

We had hugs all round and then I had to journey on alone! But I was taking with me so many memories and wonderful warm feelings that will keep me going for a while.

So I knew I had to return the hire car to Dublin airport today... unfortunately all the hire car companies in Ireland only allow you 28 days use of their  car and then you have to re-book it! I only needed it for 2 more days, because I had already booked my airfare and couldn't change that, so I decided to spend 2 nights in Dublin. I'm spending tonight in Balbriggan - more about that later! And tomorrow night I'm staying at an hotel near the airport, in preparation for me flying out on Tuesday .

It was an expensive exercise to book for just 2 more days, and because I'm hoping to go to Belfast tomorrow to see the Titanic Exhibition, I had to pay another fee to enter Northern Ireland!

Anyway, I successfully managed to keep the same car so I don't have to learn a new car for two days! And I have all my plugs inserted and my phone paired etc...

So... why Balbriggan.??? Because my maternal grandfather came from Balbriggan... Mum's father was born here and sadly his Mother died when he was only about 11 years old. So his Father took the rest of the family and emigrated to Leicester, where my Grandfather (William Andrew Nolan) met my Grandmother (Florence Georgina Hunt)  and the rest is history.

We don't have much information on my grandfather, as apparently the records were all destroyed in a fire, but I still come here to feel his presence.

Balbriggan Church

Inside Balbriggan Church

I went inside but there was a Mass on - I suspect  it was in Ukrainian, as there are a lot of refugees in Ireland, but that's only a guess!

So here's a few more landmarks from around the town.

Balbriggan  beach - bit different from Lahinch!

Balbriggan  beach - bit different from Lahinch!

Balbriggan Beach is located on the Irish sea between Ireland and the UK.

And we have another link with those dastardly Black and Tans!!! You may remember the Black and Tans were involved in murder and arson in Clare, as a revenge for the Rineen Ambush.

The movie below describes how they were once again involved in murder, arson and looting as they destroyed many parts of Balbriggan in what was known as the Sack of Balbriggan.

My cousin, John Nolan, put me on to this...

I have found a few interesting links to the Sack of Balbriggan.

There is a memorial to Seamus Lawless and Sean Gibbons on Bridge Street in Balbriggan just near Quay Street. 

From memory, it is on a small bridge over a stream - it can be seen at 6:55 and 15:25 on the YouTube video below which is a good coverage of the whole event and the town today.

So here's the video

And here's the bridge as mentioned by John. Actually, it's virtually across the road from the hotel where I'm staying....

Memorial

Little brook near the memorial

And this view looks down Quay Street to..... The Quay!!!!!

Looking down Quay Street

There was also a round tower near Balbriggan Beach, which was not labelled in any way, so, as you do, I googled it - and once again the Black and Tans got a mention...

Martello Tower

It is called a Martello Tower  

This website tells us..

The North Dublin towers are numbered one to twelve starting at Red Rock Sutton Creek on the Dublin side of the Howth peninsula. All twelve towers constructed remain standing but only the tower at Howth harbour is open for viewing, being recently restored and now a Vintage Radio Museum

The tower at Balbriggan is in a very poor condition with the entire top of the tower is missing. The Town of Balbriggan was ‘sacked’ by the Black and Tans during the War of Independence in the 1920’s and the extent of the damage to this tower would suggest that it may also have been subject to plunder in a reprisal attack but it was otherwise vandalised

The historical records of the period circa 1910 include several Valentine collection photographs of the Balbriggan Martello tower in excellent condition.

One more unknown landmark was the Bremore Castle

Bremore Castle

Bremore Castle sign

Once again I had never heard of this, so off to Google we go again..

The Fingal Council provides the answer...

Bremore Castle is a large tower house located north of Balbriggan, County Dublin. Estimated to have been built in the 14th century, the Norman Barnewalls family held it from the time of construction till 1727, the year in which it was sold. However, the first mention of this castle or its location was in reference to William Rosel De Brimor, who held land in England and Ireland at the end of the 13th century. Its deterioration began much before the sale, and by 1783, it was termed as “not many years ago inhabited” by Austin Cooper, a prominent antiquarian of that time.

So that's just a little snapshot of Balbriggan. Because I had to muck around with the cars, my time here has been very limited.

So just to finish up, here is my  hotel

Bracken Court Hotel

It looks a bit posh, but it's comfortable, but a bit faded, elegance!

So it's a whole new world being in Dublin. Already I miss my Atlantic Hotel, as the dining room here is closed on Sunday and there's only bar food on offer. And I desperately miss the beach at Lahinch... that was my favourite part of each day, just walking along the Promenade and seeing the different moods of the Atlantic.

But I guess it's a bit of a hiatus between Lahinch and flying home.  Just gives me time to adjust...

I've been so blessed over the last month - I should just be extremely grateful for everything!