ACROSS COUNTRY TO A PINT OR TWO

We depart Derry from the long abandoned Victoria Road station, behind County Donegal Joint Committee No. 11 (Photo in my collection, photographer unknown).

We alight at Strabane, the centre of a narrow gauge network. Here, in 1936, we are met a by CDJR railbus.

Our next port of call is Enniskillen. Here's the GNR(I) shed with 103 in 1933.

At Enniskillen, Railbus No. A2 of the Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Railway was photographed in 1950. (Photo in my collection, photographer unknown).

Florence Court, Enniskillen, is one of County Fermangh's historic houses. Here's a postcard view from my collection. More info here.

We now venture across country until we reach Newry. We're greeted by the impressive Egyptian Arch. 

Once again, I'm grateful to the National Library of Ireland for allowing use of their resources here. Now, we're in Hill Street in Newry.

Down by the river is Trevor Hill.

Merchants' Quay was reached by sea-going vessels.

Somewhat to the north is the town of Portadown.The High Street is at its centre.

Ulsterbus was the main operator in Portadown in the early 1980s. The single-decker is a rare Bedford.

Portadown station is on the Belfast to Dublin main line, so NIR and CIE locos were common. CIE 017 arrives on the 'Enterprise' in 1982.

NIR No. 111 runs light through the station, 1986.

111 was photographed again, this time at Lurgan, nearer Belfast, 1982.

Some suburban traffic at Lurgan in the early '80s.

A local independent, Sureline, had a depot and operated services in Lurgan.

Sureline later adopted a new livery style, seen applied to this coach with home-built body.

Due east now to Hillsborough, only a village, but of great importance in Northern Ireland's history.

Hillsborough is home to a castle, that also serves as a Royal Palace. Find out more here. This is the view from the main gate.

At the top of The Square in Hillsborough is the Plough.

Hillsborough's oldest pub is the Hillside.

Well, that's it for this post. The next one will find us visiting a brewpub and a museum. Follow the route on this map.