04. Jul 2025

Cairnryan - Belfast

Video: "Marching Band in Belfast"
This was the first time ever that I was greeted with a marching band when I arrived at a country that I would walk through...
The first Sunday in July in Northern Ireland is Drumcree Sunday and sets off the beginning of a number of parades and celebrations leading up to July 12th, the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, a pivotal conflict in which the Protestant King William III defeated the deposed Catholic King James II. Its significance lies in securing the English Crown for William, establishing Protestant dominance in Ireland, and preventing James's attempt to reclaim the throne.

Photo 1: "Willy made it through Scotland... and found a pilgrim's shell on the beach."
The logo for the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain is that of a shell. Centuries ago after surving the long and difficult pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims would continue on to Cape Finisterre on the coast which was the then known "end of the world". It was said that the Apostel James went this far in obediance to the commision of Jesus to take the gospel message to the ends of the world. Once pilgrims reached Cape Finisterre, they would search for a shell on the beach to take back home as proof that they had made journey.

Photo 2: "Family time on the Snail-Trail"
While waiting to board the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast, I was able to make a WhatsApp family group call, always a nice moment in the journey.

Photo 3: Willy was so excited to take the ferry from Scotland to Ireland. It reminded him of former years when he would swim by the side of his mother through the ocean waters...

Photo 4: "Patrick at St. Patrick's"
As I was walking out of the port towards Belfast, Patrick pulled over with his car and asked if he could give me a lift into the city. He was the first person from North Ireland that I met, his name was Patrick, he wore a somewhat green shirt and took me to St. Patrick's Church in Belfast! We had a good talk in the car and at the church. He listened to me sing my pilgrim song in the church. I explained that it was an ancient form of spiritual worship and that St. Patrick, being the spirit filled and anointed man of God that he was, most likely prayed and sang in this way as well.

5. Today was July 4th, Independence Day in the United States, this year marking the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. I was quite surprised to see this wall mural commemorating the event and showing the Irish connection to American politics.