Date: Thursday, 18 September 2008 8:27 PM
Hi guys
We've actually left Mullaghmore Bay and are presently using this internet facility in Donegal, a little way north. And it's raining again, only lightly, however, after two glorious sunny days.
Mullaghmore Bay is a tiny settlement with a picturesque harbour just on the southern side of Donegal Bay. It became famous on 27August 1979 when the IRA bombed a small fishing boat carrying 3 people: a young local lad plus Lord Louis Mountbatten plus Mountbatten's youthful grandson, all of whom were blown to bits while on a morning fishing trip. The Mountbattens, an aristocratic English family, owned land and an imposing manor house in Mullaghmore and generally got on well with the local populace although they didn't live there permanently.
Our B&B in Mullaghmore was one of only two in the village and provided us with a bedroom whose window looked westward at the imposing ranges which reared sharply from the coast. A stupendous view resulted; and just below a beautiful sandy beach suitable for an evening stroll beckoned. So we stayed two nights and really loved it.
Some pics:
Mountain just to the south which we examined closely during a drive through the hinterland.
View over the loch, a famous salmon and sea trout fishery
The Mountbatten manor "Classiebawn" in Mullaghmore. Not open to the public.
From the headland looking over the water where the bombing occurred. I searched in vain for any sort of memorial of the event -- a local informed me that such a memorial would be politically difficult to retain. Nevertheless, during a stroll out to the headland I came across a tiny cairn in the centre of which someone had placed a pot plant containing a small flowering plant. It's visible in the bottom left of the pic. There was no sign of any attempt to identify its
purpose but it's likely that it's someone's anonymous attempt to create a memorial.
We're staying somewhere in Co Donegal tonight and will move on to Buncrana, Donegal for four nights tomorrow.
Regards and thanks for the news, etc.
Kev & Mary Long
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