In September, 2011, I went to Ireland for the first time in nearly 20 years.  That last time I was only there for a short time and did a whirlwind 5 day drive focusing mainly on the western side and skipping Dublin entirely.  The 2011 trip was a more extensive visit taking just over three weeks and that time it included a visit to Northern Ireland.  While the weather in Ireland last September was anything but hospitable, the people certainly were and the countryside lived up to its reputation – although it is pretty clear why it is so green from all that rain!  While I had expected Dublin to be lovely, Belfast and particularly Derry were unexpected finds as well.