I’m in the UK for a spell; started out in Glastonbury (Part 1 and Part 2), now in and around Belfast.
Click the images to enlarge.
I’d heard it was green, but flying into Ireland offered beautiful confirmation.
CS Lewis is a favorite son of Belfast, having been born and reared here.
I palled around with blogger Jon Kennedy and his friend Jack Lamb. Here’s Jack entering the wardrobe.
Well, okay …
Clive is everywhere.
A quick snap in moving traffic of a memorial by the shipyard which built the Titanic.
Here’s another chap entering the wardrobe: CS Lewis as Professor Digory Kirke, the hero of the Magician’s Nephew. (“The Searcher” is located at Belmont Tower.)
Around back of the sculpture, you might miss it if you’re not careful, Aslan stares down from the wardrobe’s ledge.
The engravings surrounding the sculpture give the author’s name, titles, birth date and …
… Rebirth Date. (Think about it.)
Aslan is also found in the children’s book section in Belmont Tower.
With book covers to boot.
Off in the distance, the modern day version of the Titanic shipyard.
This is the rectory beside the church that Lewis attended as a boy. Notice the door knob? Look closer …
Many believe that this is where the image of Aslan was first planted in the mind of young Lewis.
While a young boy, his family moved to “Little Lea”.
One of the posters at a local library offers none other than … the door knob.
Next: Downpatrick to visit St Patrick’s grave.
Now THAT’S a cemetery, huh?
In the distance, the Mountains of Mourne.
This stone marks the grave of St Patrick (alongside St Brigid and St Columba).
Down Cathedral, County Down, Downpatrick – Ireland.
After prayers by the holy site, it was on to the modern day St Patrick Museum, through the gardens.
While in Glastonbury, I saw several Glastonbury Thorns — descendents of St Joseph’s of Arimathea’s staff. But what is this?
Oh. It’s a Fairy Thorn.
If you read the legend in the image above, it seeks to explain the cross below the Fairy Thorn. (I’m still a little dubious.)
A quick passing rearview shot of the magnificent Belfast City Hall.
Hmmm. Another church. Which would this one be?
Can’t quite get the whole building in the shot from the street. Let’s wander ’round to the sign in front …
Orthodixie
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