@ Belfast Port Hugo begins his 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Cherrie.
Hugo shook paws with Cherrie the Yellow Lovable Labrador. They both received one silver mole!
@ Belfast Shipping Hub "Oh, Chewbie," groaned Hugo. "That Ulster fry we had for breakfast is the largest meal we've ever been faced with!" "Fried egg, soda bread, potato pancakes, mushrooms, fried tomato, those yummy baked beans—I had to stop at that point, Hugo!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Chewbie.
Hugo shook paws with Chewbie the Dauntless Dolphin. They both received one silver mole!
@ Harland & Wolff Shipyard "You know this game we're going to see tonight, zzapp?" asked Hugo. "What exactly is 'hurling'? What do they hurl?" "I asked the night porter, Hugo. It's named after the hurley, which is a wooden bat two to three feet long, used to hit the ball, or 'hurl', towards the opposing team's goal." "Sounds exciting, zzapp!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met zzapp.
Hugo shook paws with zzapp the Purple Dragonfly 2.0. They both received one silver mole!
@ Belfast City Centre "Today's trivia question, Passion!" announced Hugo. "What is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland?" "I know this, Hugo! Slieve Donard, at 850 metres (2,790 feet) near Newcastle, County Down."
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).
While touring the British Isles, you met Passion.
Hugo shook paws with Passion the Stardust Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Castlewellan Forest Park "Oh, HARRY," groaned Hugo. "That Ulster fry we had for breakfast is the largest meal we've ever been faced with!" "Fried egg, soda bread, potato pancakes, mushrooms, fried tomato, those yummy baked beans—I had to stop at that point, Hugo!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met HARRY.
Hugo shook paws with HARRY the Happy Dragon Hatchling. They both received one silver mole!
@ Newcastle, County Down "You know this game we're going to see tonight, Melinda?" asked Hugo. "What exactly is 'hurling'? What do they hurl?" "I asked the night porter, Hugo. It's named after the hurley, which is a wooden bat two to three feet long, used to hit the ball, or 'hurl', towards the opposing team's goal." "Sounds exciting, Melinda!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Melinda.
Hugo shook paws with Melinda the Midnight Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Mourne Wall "This is an extremely varied tour, Hugo!" remarked Jewel. "We're going from really grand edifices to small and cosy attractions!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Jewel.
Hugo shook paws with Jewel the Sparkling Snow Foxee. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ballykeel Dolmen "Hey, did you know those two Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast have names, Itchy?" asked Hugo. "They're called Samson and Goliath, and they're the biggest free-standing cranes anywhere in the world!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Itchy.
Hugo shook paws with Itchy the Merry Mole. They both received one silver mole!
@ Narrow Water Castle “A picture of this would look lovely printed on birthday cards, wouldn't it, Hugo?” Choose a name said. “It certainly would, Choose a name!" said Hugo. 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Choose a name.
Hugo shook paws with Choose a name the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ballymacdermot Court Tomb "Remember when we were touring Scotland we learnt that the pneumatic tyre was invented by a Scotsman, Graham?" asked Hugo. "It turns out he was in Belfast when he did it!" "What was his name, Hugo?" "His name was John Dunlop and he was a veterinary surgeon!"
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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Graham.
Hugo shook paws with Graham the Majestic Monarch Butterfly. They both received one silver mole!
@ Loughbrickland Sunset "Hey, did you know those two Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast have names, FINN?" asked Hugo. "They're called Samson and Goliath, and they're the biggest free-standing cranes anywhere in the world!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met FINN.
Hugo shook paws with FINN the Emperor Penguin Chick. They both received one silver mole!
@ Lough Beg "Hey, did you know those two Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast have names, Adept Sanitation Juggernaut?" asked Hugo. "They're called Samson and Goliath, and they're the biggest free-standing cranes anywhere in the world!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Adept Sanitation Juggernaut.
Hugo shook paws with Adept Sanitation Juggernaut the Multi-Functional Robot. They both received one silver mole!
Adept Sanitation Juggernaut and you found 10 Travel Tokens!
@ Ballymena, County Antrim “Wow! How many centuries old is this, Hugo?” remarked Tigger. "I think this is one of the newer places. Let me just look it up on our guide," said Hugo. 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Tigger.
Hugo shook paws with Tigger the Tiger. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ballygally, County Antrim "Hey, did you know those two Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast have names, Micah?" asked Hugo. "They're called Samson and Goliath, and they're the biggest free-standing cranes anywhere in the world!" Ballygally, County Antrim Ballygally or Ballygalley is a village and holiday resort in County Antrim, Northern Ireland which lies on the Antrim coast.
While touring the British Isles, you met Micah.
Hugo shook paws with Micah the Turophile Mouse. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ballygally Head Hugo opened his rucksack to change his hat. Shirley could see Hugo had a large, floppy sunhat, a balaclava, a rain hat, a woolly bobble hat, a beanie, a deerstalker hat and a swimming cap! “Did you bring a fez too?” Shirley asked Hugo. Ballygally Head A closeup of Ballygally reveals the quiet seaside village on Ballygally Head.
While touring the British Isles, you met Shirley.
Hugo shook paws with Shirley the Little Pink Monster. They both received one silver mole!
@ Ballygally Shoreline "This is an extremely varied tour, Hugo!" remarked Bonnie. "We're going from really grand edifices to small and cosy attractions!" Ballygally Shoreline As the sun sets we are treated to an even closer look at Ballygally.
While touring the British Isles, you met Bonnie.
Hugo shook paws with Bonnie the Brown Rustic Rabbit. They both received one silver mole!
@ Dunluce Castle "You know this game we're going to see tonight, BRUNO?" asked Hugo. "What exactly is 'hurling'? What do they hurl?" "I asked the night porter, Hugo. It's named after the hurley, which is a wooden bat two to three feet long, used to hit the ball, or 'hurl', towards the opposing team's goal." "Sounds exciting, BRUNO!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met BRUNO.
Hugo shook paws with BRUNO the Brown Bear. They both received one silver mole!
@ Giant's Causeway "Almost half of the population of Northern Ireland is under 30 years old, so the nightlife is flourishing and lively," read out Hugo from the itinerary. "Hey, we'll have to take in a nightclub, then!" replied Sweetie. 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Sweetie.
Hugo shook paws with Sweetie the Chocolate Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
@ Causeway Peninsula “Oh hello, Hugo!” cried Orchid. “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, Orchid!" responded Hugo. 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Orchid.
Hugo shook paws with Orchid the Blue Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Benone Beach "You know this game we're going to see tonight, Sméagol?" asked Hugo. "What exactly is 'hurling'? What do they hurl?" "I asked the night porter, Hugo. It's named after the hurley, which is a wooden bat two to three feet long, used to hit the ball, or 'hurl', towards the opposing team's goal." "Sounds exciting, Sméagol!" 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met Sméagol.
Hugo shook paws with Sméagol the Escaped Aye-Aye. They both received one silver mole!
@ Goldfinch “Oh hello, Hugo!” cried kiki. “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, kiki!" responded Hugo. 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.
While touring the British Isles, you met kiki.
Hugo shook paws with kiki the Pink Jay. They both received one silver mole!
kiki gave you 1 "British Isles Travel Stamp" size 10
@ Newtownstewart, County Tyrone As Hugo's tour of "Northern Ireland" comes to an end, he 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. Hugo has completed their tour of "Northern Ireland"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of "The British Isles"!
While touring the British Isles, you met Amelia.
Hugo shook paws with Amelia the Midnight Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!