Where do I begin after 3 days away

Well Friday was spent mostly in the car. Given the distance from Bunclody to Belfast one might guess that trip took longer than the drive from Titanic Belfast, where the Conference took place, to the hotel which was only a couple of miles away. I suppose the long drive took more actual time, but it was totally uneventful and without a single episode of getting lost.

Not so the short journey from Titanic Belfast to the Radisson Blu hotel. Bear in mind that it was 5 pm, that the entire population of the city was in cars, on our route. Remember also that the road system in Belfast was devised either by a sick mind or someone whose hobby was designing mazes and got all of that experience from arranging street layouts.

We had a GPS and it was very bossy. However, turns were sometimes not very evident and so close together that there was not sufficient time for warning of the change in direction. I was not actually watching the time but my best guess of how long the 2-3 mile drive took was almost an hour. Of course it was dark by the time we arrived, and for much of the drive, so I'm unable to describe what we passed by way of landmarks. I believe we passed some of them multiple times. In fact, we were practically on top of the hotel but the sign is on the roof of the building and we were on the ground and didn't see it at the end of a dead end street. I think it was on our second 'visit' to the area that we happened upon the destination. Alleluia!

Anyway, the conference sessions were very good and my knowledge of DNA in genealogy has been expanded greatly. It was a gathering of so many great minds I was humbled by the company. Saturday's sessions were equally as good.

The assembled group included: Maurice Gleeson, Debbie Kennett, Katherine Borges, John Cleary, Brad Larkin, Michelle Leonard and to the others go my apologies for a poor memory.

Both days, fortified by substantial breakfasts, we sailed past lunch with only a chance to snatch a morsel from the table offerings of the exhibitors. There was no scheduled lunch break and we didn't want to miss any sessions.

Dinner on Saturday was a great time, at McHugh's pub, not far from the conference site. We drove and after a certain amount of circling city blocks, none of them square, we found a place to abandon the car, facing the wrong way. Parking that way is very common. You see a spot, you go for it no matter which way you were driving. Substantial revenue would be generated in Canada by fining that sort of parking.

The history of this bar is fascinating. It's the oldest standing building in Belfast, dating to the early 18th century. If you click the link, scroll down the page to read the history. I think we were in the Lucan room.

Shortly after our group of about 20 trickled in, we discovered, without moving, that there was a third floor and the occupants were engaged in Irish dancing. For a moment it felt like them might suddenly join us! There was music in the background but we were so busily engaged in conversation that for the most part we took little notice. Food was excellent and I must say the Guinness was up to scratch.

Being in the land of Game of Thrones, there were tours and adventures the days before and after the conference itself. Alas, having watched not a single episode, we declined to participate. Some wore GOT costumes and were most impressive. None of the speakers was paid, nor did they have expenses covered. This is one dedicated group of DNA genealogists. There was a general genealogy stream but I'm unable to comment, having not attended any of those sessions.

When on a staircase, when you are half way up you are neither up nor down. This is the reproduction of the grand staircase on the Titanic. Fortunately this one is on land with little danger of sinking. No icebergs have been noted in the vicinity of Belfast. Sadly, we were unable to capitalize on being at that site and did not explore it - not even the gift shop! I have been there before although didn't have time to do it justice.