Our nearest town is Kilkeel – about 4 miles from Mourne Park. Population around the 7,000 mark. Kilkeel sits between the sea and the Mourne Mountains, surrounded by small farms and green countryside. Really nice setting. Kilkeel Harbour – started in 1850 and continually developed and improved – has the largest fishing fleet in Northern Ireland. The actual harbour is long and narrow with lots of stone walls and a protective curved entrance. A real safe haven from the often rugged Irish Sea. Always heaps of activity around – boats coming and going, people visiting the fish mongers or other affiliated businesses. Kilkeel Beach sweeps from the harbour entrance towards a small headland – in the direction of Cranfield Bay and the Irish border. More pebbles than sand. The beach edges along the bottom of a cliff – need to navigate some pretty steep steps to get there but the locals seem to manage. It’s a popular place for walking the dog or just getting some fresh air. The main street of Kilkeel is up the hill about a mile away. Not a lot of buildings near the beach itself – just a grassed playing field, large car park, a few tennis courts, and a very colourful playground. No pubs or cafes to enjoy the sea views. More’s the pity!
It’s hard to believe there’s such a profound history of violence in Northern Ireland. It doesn’t seem to compute when you are living here and meeting the local people. The “Troubles” between the late 1960’s and the late 1990’s were a big part of life in Kilkeel. Children growing up during that time knew no different. Bombs and bullets, hatred and bitterness. Things have changed but there’s still a divide – separate pubs and sporting clubs, most schools. Different areas in the town are predominately Catholic or Protestant. It’s interesting to drive past the local Police Station built during the “Troubles”. It’s like Fort Knox – no windows onto the street, multiple cameras along the roofline. Having said all the that the people here are lovely – very chatty, open, welcoming. They don’t talk about the past – they just seem glad those times are over. The churches are full of a Sunday – quite strange to see the car parks overflowing. Not the norm in most places we have visited over the years. People in Kilkeel still hold on tight to their faith. Brexit throws up lots of interesting questions for Northern Ireland. Not sure what it all means but time will tell.
Well life at our Mourne Park house sit continues – mowing, chainsawing, strimming, hedging. Reg has spent lots of time in our cottage garden cutting everything back with a vengeance. Desperately needed! I have been on the mower full time and now have things under control. I just do a circuit – starting near the lake and working my way around the grounds. I quite enjoy it. Frodo comes to visit occasionally. He loves to check out the workers – though if Chris is about he barely leaves his side. He is still besotted!! Rain of course is still a factor, and machinery break downs – very frustrating – but overall we get things done. Mourne Park is looking good!
Lots of love
Di and Reg
PS Chris bought us a bottle of wine recently called “19 Crimes” – all about the misdemeanors that insured a “trip” to Australia!! Very cheeky but he was forgiven. A nice red and we are anybodies!
This entry was posted in House Sits, Mourne Park (3), Northern Ireland, United Kingdom- Catholic
- Frodo
- house sit
- Kilkeel Beach
- Kilkeel Harbour
- Mourne Mountains
- Northern Ireland Troubles
- Protestant
Informative blog and lovely photos, Di. Looks like you’ve had some nice weather. Mourne Park certainly looking a picture, keep up the great work.
We leave for our European holiday next Sunday, 3/9. Excited and nervous at the same time. Hopefully the weather will be good, it’s been very cold here today, maximum of 13deg.
Take care, Carol x
Thanks Carol. I’m really looking forward to hearing about your holiday – it’s one of my dreams to do a European river cruise. Thanks for doing the research!