Day 13 Dungiven Northern Ireland Thursday 12th July 2012

Today we are heading to Dublin to meet another cousin, Adrian Coll on the trail of the O'Hagan's. Simply cannot wait to meet Adrian as he is a kindred spirit with Mary and I and has been enthusiastically involved in this fascinating journey since 2010. Yesterday afternoon we visited Walsh's Hotel in Maghera to finalise the arrangements for our Grand Reunion. The function room is fantastic and will definitely be an outstanding venue as it is very old world in it's style. I was feeling the excitement of all that is about to take place in this room.

The 12th of July is a public holiday in Northern Ireland for Battle of the Boyne - Orangeman's Day. Towns are decorated in Union Jack Flags and painted red, white and blue. Men march to the beat of lambeg drums down the main streets. This is a protestant tradition dating back to 1690 and can cause much division in the local societies. I remember that hit song from my childhood, The Orange and the Greeen by the Irish Rovers and I now have a full understanding of this sad division within Northern Ireland communities present even today.

This photo was taken in Garvagh main street on the 11th night outside The Vines Restaurant.

We took a short drive picking up other cousins, Jacina and Orla on the way to Garvagh to the lovely restaurant The Vines for a girls night out. We met more cousins, Elaine and Jeanette there. Whilst we were enjoying our meal we could hear the drums coming up the street so I went out the front to witness one of the marches. The Protestants march on the 11th night to a place where they light big bonfires.

The fabulous McGuigan Girls, left to Right - Orla, Jeanette, Elaine, Mary and Jacinta.

On the way home to Dungiven from Garvagh after spending a fantastic evening with the McGuigan girls we drove to the top of mountain Benbradagh which overlooks Dungiven. What a spectacular view as the sun was peeping through the clouds (by the way it doesnt get dark here until after 10pm!!)