A day of castles, towers and flags

Started in Enniskillen. The first extra is Enniskillen castle;  originally built by a Gaelic chieftain in the early 14 hundreds, it was for a time a key part of the Irish resistance to the English. Seen from a boat, which took us around Lough Erne, where we saw kingfishers, herons, coots, grebes. We landed at Devenish island, (main blip)which once held a monastery. The tower which was built in the 12th century was for hiding securely - as there were many raids, including Vikings, who were after gold and slaves. That island was a haven of quiet, the only sound being birds. I saw and heard curlew, lapwings, swifts, martins, buzzard, skylarks, and heard but didn’t see a sedge warbler. Magical. After lunch in Kells we went to Trim Castle - second extra. It was built by the Norman Hugh de Lacy. As it’s been restored as a historic landmark, we were able to climb upstairs right onto the roof. Exciting and scary. We’re back in the republic here - you can maybe see the Irish and EU flags - as opposed to the cross of St George on Enniskillen castle. Plenty of those on show later when I watched the first England match at the Euros. Not bad I thought. Got to love Jude Bellingham:)