Northern Ireland 2025

Giant Causeway

Awards Dinner - Stanley

Clean & Push Press

The Righthand Drive Hyundai Kona

Trinity College, Dublin

Ratna and I had an amazing trip to Northern Ireland as a 20th Anniversary Trip / All-Round Weightlifting trip.

We flew into Dublin and had a chance to site see in town.  The Moxy hotel was very central and we saw Half Penny Bridge and other sites north and south of the Liffe.  Ratna picked up a rain shell as her coat and hoodie was not the best for the rainy weather.  We had dinner at a pub.  I enjoyed the fish and chips and Ratna had the Thai curry.

Friday we met Alex who gave us a tour of Trinity College.  Then we picked up a rental car and drive on the left side of the road to Lurgan.  Storm Amy was coming through and disrupted train service so we had a low key Friday evening.  We did enjoy dinner at the Ashburn Hotel where we were staying.  The vegetable broth soup was amazing.

Saturday was day 1 of competition so I was busy.  Ratna took the train into Belfast to see the Titanic shipyard and a bus tour.  She met some great people who gave great recommendations.  Dinner was again at the Ashburn Hotel.  I had the turnip bacon soup which was meh.

Sunday was day 2 of competition, but Ratna came to watch for part of the time.  I am glad she could come.  Afterwards we walked about Lurgan.  Dinner was a really nice awards banquet at the Courthouse Bar.  Ratna had the Halloumi cheese appetizer, Vegetable curry main and warm brown dessert.  I had the stuffed mushroom appetizer, Turkey and Ham Sunday Dinner main and cheesecake dessert.  It was a lot of fun.  I also enjoyed talking grip with Stanley Hamilton.

Monday was a failed attempt to visit the Game of Thrones Studio Tour (it was closed for maintenance).  Instead we went to Giant Causeway which was amazing.  We also stopped by a castle and had a great lunch at a cafe nearby.  The drive back to Dublin was a long, but pleasant.

Tuesday, we flew out of Dublin and made it back home without delays.