Ireland - Northern Ireland - Ferries and Grasses Courses

CEL's web editor, Judith Allinson writes (12 May): " Having just returned from a fortnight in Northern Ireland (work -teaching a Grasses Course) and The Burren in Ireland (holiday) I am now busy updating this website.

I will tell you a little about the trip - to show it is possible to get to Ireland easily without flying. - and that it IS POSSIBLE just to buy the rail-ferry ticket on the day of travel at the British railway station or the Belfast Ferry.

I went by ferry.. Stranraer-Belfast. buying a bargain combined train and ferry ticket to Belfast ( £39) from my local railway station. I bought a through ticket back on the day of my return at the brand new ferry terminal at Belfast (They moved on 7 May out to the exit of the loch at Belfast - specially for me! )

Most people were surprised when I said I did not fly or drive to get there. It does cost in time. And I wonder how energy efficient these superfast ferries really are. The film Mr Bean on the ferry was great! I went Settle - Carlisle - Stranraer - Belfast- Belfast Youth Hostel (overnight) - then Bus to Enniskillen and Derrygonnelly.

For overland transport enquiries see The Man in Seat Sixty-One "

Grass Identification Course at Derrygonnelly:-

Examining Floating Sweet-grass	Floating sweet-grass and Rushes	Limestone Grasses on Knock More

(For details of other grass identification courses, eg at Kindrogan, Scotland See the FSC website- which has natural history courses in 17 different centres in the UK), and also JA's Grasses website

   Holiday in the Burren in early May   

Actually the BBC website suggests it is MOST environmentally friendly to holiday near home... and if you have to go abroad, Benidorm is a good option