Click on Pics to Enlarge in New Window
Another filling breakfast at the Black Boy Inn. By the way, the politically incorrect name Black Boy Inn has an interesting story. From Wikipedia:
“Prior to 1828, the pub was known as the ‘Black Boy’ Though still referred to by its traditional name, it was officially altered to the ‘King’s Arms’ and, later, the ‘Fleur de Lys’, until a change of ownership led to the restoration of the old name and the creation of the “Black Boy Inn” as it is today. The Inn signs each show a ‘black buoy’ on one side and a ‘black boy’ on the other.
“The Inn’s name has caused controversy and there are least three theories to explain its name. One is believed to come from a ‘black buoy’ which existed in the harbour in the early days of the Inn. Another refers to the nickname given to Charles II by his mother because of the darkness of his skin and eyes, as well as the fact that Royalists met at the Inn secretly at that time. Later, the place became the local fishermen’s favourite drinking place and the name of ‘black boy’ may come from this period.”
Then it was off to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland. We made a slight diversion to stop at the town in the title. Actually, its full name is:
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Pronounce it at your peril. You can hear the pronunciation here.
From there it was a short hop to Holyhead, the terminus for Irish Ferries. We drove aboard the Jonathan Swift and proceeded to the Club Class lounge for the crossing. The appropriately named Swift is the fast ferry to Dublin, departing Holyheadt at 11:50 AM and arriving in Dublin at 1:45 PM. We weren’t staying in the Republic just yet though, so we drove off the ferry and immediately headed to Omagh in Northern Ireland for the night. There is a purpose for staying here. We’ll get to that in a minute. Omagh is probably most famous as the site of a deadly IRA bombing backing 1988 during the Troubles.
First crisis of the trip!!! We arrived at our B&B (Heron’s Burn) a little early, so we stopped in a nearby pub/restaurant for a pint. Then we drove to the B&B. No answer to the doorbell. There was a number to call posted in the window, so I called. Not only did the lady have no record of our reservation; she was traveling at the moment in Canada. She offered to give me a number for a nearby B&B, but I demurred. Instead we drove back to the pub which had an associated B&B attached. They had a room and we were in. We dined in their restaurant which tunred out to be excellent. It was filled with locals. I doubt if they get many Americans there as it’s really out in the country. So the Millstone turned out to be our pub, restaurant and B&B.
After a nice breakfast (coming up imminently) we will head down the road to the Abingdon Collection, the reason we are staying in this area. It’s a private collection of automotive and military memorabilia, and it is viewable only by appointment. I had booked the appointment well in advance by email. No admission fee but a contribution to the Cancer Fund is suggested. Naturally we will make one. More on that in our next posting.
