Episode 1/22

@ Belfast Port
Sonata begins her tour of "Northern Ireland" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Map of Northern Ireland
Welcome to Northern Ireland! The official flag of this country is the Union Flag, but St Patrick's Saltire (a red diagonal cross on a white field) represents Northern Ireland on the Union Flag. After arriving at the busy port of Belfast, home of the Titanic, the pets will have an extremely varied trip, viewing not only Neolithic sites and a wonder of the world dating back 50 million years, but they will also enjoy lots of bracing fresh air, viewing castles and coastlines! In the evenings, perhaps they will enjoy some legendary Northern Irish music with traditional meals in the local taverns.
Belfast Port
Welcome to Northern Ireland! Céad Míle Fáilte One hundred thousand welcomes! Your journey begins in the capital city of Belfast. Northern Ireland separated from The Republic of Ireland in 1921 because its citizens wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Of historical note, you are following the route that many from Scotland traveled when leaving their country for what they hoped was a better life for their families. People often emigrated to the Ulster area of Northern Ireland, then eventually to Canada and the United States. Descendants of those people are often referred to as Ulster-Scots.

Episode 2/22

@ Belfast Shipping Hub
Sonata and Crowley shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo.
“Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Sonata. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Crowley. “This is my best side.”
Belfast Shipping Hub
The port of Belfast is a busy shipping hub, handling a large majority of the sea trade of the entire island of Ireland. Hundreds of shipping containers line the dock ready to be transported.

Episode 3/22

@ Harland & Wolff Shipyard
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Sonata," said Sapphire Rose, "for this experience alone?"
Sonata, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
Harland & Wolff Shipyard
The Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast is most famous for building ocean liners for the White Star Line in the early 1900s, including the ill-fated Titanic. A nearby visitor attraction named Titanic Belfast provides a place to reflect on one of the most tragic ocean liner stories in history.
While the shipyard has not been involved in shipbuilding in recent years, it has instead focused on ship repair and offshore construction. The yellow gantry cranes nicknamed Samson and Goliath, have become city landmarks.

Episode 4/22

@ Belfast City Centre
"Hey, did you know those two Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast have names, Flicka?" asked Sonata. "They're called Samson and Goliath, and they're the biggest free-standing cranes anywhere in the world!"
Belfast City Centre
Northern Ireland: Belfast City Centre. On the left (building with the clock and vertical pillars) is the former Sinclair’s department store at the corner of Royal Avenue and (lower) North Street, completed in 1926 to a design by James Scott, architect and civil engineer. The present Art Deco facade was added in 1935. On the right-hand side is the Castle Court Shopping Centre (the buildings with the white vertical lights).

Episode 5/22

@ Castlewellan Forest Park
Mini looked up from their map and surveyed the current stop. “Would you fancy living here, Sonata?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Sonata. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan Forest Park contains three distinct attractions and a lake. They are: the 18th-century National Arboretum, which contains over 700 varieties of taxa; Castlewellan Castle, built in 1858; and Peace Maze, which contains a hedge maze made of 6000 yew trees, the second-longest hedge maze in the world. and a lake. Castlewellan is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Episode 6/22

@ Newcastle, County Down
"I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Rowland.
"Me too!" said Sonata. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
Newcastle, County Down
Residents of Newcastle like to refer to their little town as the activity resort of Northern Ireland. One of Newcastle's prominent features in the Mourne Mountains is Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals for walking and hiking. Newcastle is also famous for Mourne Granite, which has been used to make paving stones in many cities around the world. Mourne granite was used to make the base of the 9/11 memorial in New York.

Episode 7/22

@ Mourne Wall
"Almost half of the population of Northern Ireland is under 30 years old, so the nightlife is flourishing and lively," read out Sonata from the itinerary.
"Hey, we'll have to take in a nightclub, then!" replied Ada.
Mourne Wall
Mourne Wall in County Down was built to keep livestock from contaminating water supplies in the Silent Valley Reservoir which supplies Belfast. The drystone granite wall took 18 years to build, extends 22 miles across 15 mountains, and is 1.5 meters high (4 ft 11 in) and almost 1 meter (over 2 ft) thick.

Episode 8/22

@ Ballykeel Dolmen
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on birthday cards, wouldn't it, Sonata?” Violet Flame said.
“It certainly would, Violet Flame!" said Sonata.
Ballykeel Dolmen
Ballykeel Dolmen known locally as the "Hag's Chair" is a neolithic burial site that has a huge capstone supported by three upright stones. It is located in Newry, County Down, and is dated between 4000 to 2500 BC. Dolmens have been called fanciful names and locals have woven magical tales of fairies, giants, and witches around the ancient stones.

Episode 9/22

@ Narrow Water Castle
“Shall we stop and have our lunch here, Sonata?” asked Starlight .
“Yes, it seems a good spot, Starlight! Let's perch on those tree stumps there!"
Narrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle is a typical example of the tower houses found throughout Ireland from the 15th until the 17th century. Tower houses are normally three or more stories high and often have chambers within the walls containing stairs, closets, and latrines. The 16th-century castle ruins are near Newry on the County Down bank of the Clanrye River.

Episode 10/22

@ Ballymacdermot Court Tomb
“Some of these places are so quaint!” Jubb Jubb said.
“Yes," said Sonata, "and then the next stop has something really awe-inspiring!"
Ballymacdermot Court Tomb
Ballymacdermot Court Tomb, located near Ballykeel Dolmen in County Armagh lies on the southern slopes of Ballymacdermot Mountain close to Newry. It is an extremely well-preserved Neolithic burial site with three chambers. It can be dated between 4000 and 2500 BC. An excavation in 1962 found human cremation remains, flint and ceramics.

Episode 11/22

@ Loughbrickland Sunset
"This is an extremely varied tour, Sonata!" remarked Emerald. "We're going from really grand edifices to small and cosy attractions!"
Loughbrickland Sunset
Loughbrickland is a small village in County Down. It may be small in size but it is mighty in scenery as is evident by this spectacular sunset.

Episode 12/22

@ Lough Beg
“What have you got in your tote bag, Chipilona?” asked Sonata. “It looks very full!” “I’ve come prepared for anything, Sonata,” responded Chipilona. “There’s deck shoes, snowshoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, flippers, walking boots, Wellington boots—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Lough Beg
Lough Beg, translated little lake, is a small freshwater lake located on the border between County Londonderry and County Antrim. Due to the area's many rare plants and the lake's use by migrating birds the area was designated as Lough Beg National Nature Reserve. Church Island, located on the lake, isn't actually a true island because it is accessible by foot in the summer. The church on the island is reputed to date back to the time of Saint Patrick when he founded a Christian settlement there. The Bullaun Stone has a hollow that fills with water, which local anecdote claims it was worn by Patrick kneeling on it in prayer. Pilgrims come to the island each year, on the first Sunday in September, to celebrate the feast of Saint Thaddeus.

Episode 13/22

@ Ballymena, County Antrim
"It says here that Killyleagh Castle in Co Down is the oldest continually occupied castle in Ireland, inhabited since the 13th century and now a private home!" announced Sonata.
Lady Jane digested this information. "It must be handy to pull up the drawbridge when you just want a cosy night in. I bet it has a bunch of chilly draughts rattling round the place, though!"

Ballymena, County Antrim
Ballymena is a town in County Antrim, and the eighth largest in Northern Ireland. The town has held two annual fairs and a Saturday market in perpetuity since 1626, a deal struck by the Adair family and King Charles I.

Episode 14/22

@ Ballygally, County Antrim
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Korah, after she and Sonata had spent some time exploring another long grassy path to its end. "Is there a gift shop at the end? The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Ballygally, County Antrim
Ballygally or Ballygalley is a village and holiday resort in County Antrim, Northern Ireland which lies on the Antrim coast.

Episode 15/22

@ Ballygally Head
"In our tour guide it says Lough Neagh, splat in the middle of the country, is the largest freshwater lake in both the UK and the British Isles," remarked Puffy named by Stella.
"Fancy that!" said Sonata.
Ballygally Head
A closeup of Ballygally reveals the quiet seaside village on Ballygally Head.

Episode 16/22

@ Ballygally Shoreline
"In our tour guide it says Lough Neagh, splat in the middle of the country, is the largest freshwater lake in both the UK and the British Isles," remarked Talos.
"Fancy that!" said Sonata.
Ballygally Shoreline
As the sun sets we are treated to an even closer look at Ballygally.

Episode 17/22

@ Dunluce Castle
“Wow! How many centuries old is this, Sonata?” remarked Choose a name Thisisme.
"I think this is one of the newer places. Let me just look it up on our guide," said Sonata.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is a ruined medieval castle, once home to Clan McDonnell. The castle is surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side of the basalt outcropping, which no doubt protected the castle and its inhabitants in its heyday.

Episode 18/22

@ Giant's Causeway
“Oh hello, Sonata!” cried Nano. “Didn’t we bump into each other at the fairground back in September? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
"It certainly is, Nano!" responded Sonata.
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, Giant's Causeway was named the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five, seven or eight sides.

Episode 19/22

@ Causeway Peninsula
“Wow! How many centuries old is this, Sonata?” remarked Jesse.
"I think this is one of the newer places. Let me just look it up on our guide," said Sonata.
Causeway Peninsula
This coastal landscape in Northern Ireland looks towards the Atlantic Ocean with the gate lodge ruins on small peninsula at Dunseverick, close to Giants Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Episode 20/22

@ Benone Beach
“Some of these places are so quaint!” Bailey Bunny said.
“Yes," said Sonata, "and then the next stop has something really awe-inspiring!"
Benone Beach
Benone Beach (or "Strand"), County Londonderry. Benone Strand, multiple recipient of the European Blue Flag Award, most recently in 2020, is a must-see when visiting the area. With seven miles of golden sand and a magnificent backdrop of mountain and cliff scenery and stunning views across to Donegal, this is an attractive sightseeing environment along with the usual seaside activities including watersports, walking, picnic spots and fishing. The clean, firm, golden sands of Benone Strand are without rocks, shingle or seaweed and are preceded by the glorious natural formations of Benone's sand dunes. Benone is a haven for nature lovers as the entire area is a paradise for the study of botany, entomology, and shells.

Episode 21/22

@ Goldfinch
"Today's trivia question, Heleena!" announced Sonata. "What is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland?"
"I know this, Sonata! Slieve Donard, at 850 metres (2,790 feet) near Newcastle, County Down."

Goldfinch
Goldfinches can be seen anywhere there are scattered bushes and trees, rough ground with thistles and other seeding plants. Likes orchards, parks, gardens, heathland and commons. Goldfinches can be seen all year round. Some leave the UK to winter in France, Spain and Belgium.

Episode 22/22

@ Newtownstewart, County Tyrone
As Sonata's tour of "Northern Ireland" comes to an end, she rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Break of Dawn Beech Tree
Reflecting the colours of the rising sun, this beech tree has become a tourist attraction for travelling pets far and wide.
Newtownstewart, County Tyrone
Northern Ireland: Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, is overlooked by hills called Bessy Bell and Mary Gray and lies on the River Strule below the confluence with its tributary the Owenkillew.
Sonata has completed their tour of "Northern Ireland"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of "The British Isles"!