From ancient cottages to life of the British aristocracy

We made two stops on our way to Bangor. The first was the Ulster Folk Museum. Acres of village and farm demonstrates life of the past few centuries. Many of the buildings are originals that have been dismantled from sites in Northern Ireland (some stone by stone) and rebuilt in the museum park. We had conversations with skilled crafts people demonstrating woodworking, knife making, lacemaking, spinning and weaving. The weaver was my favourite. She works full time in the weaving cottage and was passionate about the importance of keeping these complex skills alive. She was weaving linen and had a jacquard loom set up as well. 

Then 20 minutes away, we were literally blown into Mount Stewart House and Garden. The wind nearly blew us over as we struggled into the garden. We wondered if we were crazy to keep on going but enough large trees surrounded the garden so that we only heard the wind above us. The formal garden is still beautiful in spite of the time of year and must be incredible in summer. We also toured part of the 'House'. Ownership has been transferred to the English National Trust with Lady Rose allowed to live in apartments upstairs.
I didn't miss noting the comparison of life as an Irish commoner and that of the English aristocracy. 

Cottage kitchen...

Healthy diet means taller people.

This row of cottages was taken apart stone by stone and rebuilt on museum site.  It's original date of building was in the 1600's 

No problem adding a plate or two if extras show up for dinner....

Mt Stewart House built in early 1800's

Formal Garden