We are THE MULLIGANS, a family of 5 from
Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (or Áras Nua-Ealaíne na hÉireann) is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. It is located in Kilmainham, Dublin, and is housed in the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The Royal Hospital was founded in 1684 by James Butler, the Duke of Ormonde and Viceroy to Charles II, as a home for retired soldiers. The Royal Hospital is modelled on Les Invalides in Paris, and arranged around a central courtyard. The original stables have been restored, extended and converted into artists' studios, and the museum runs an artist-in-residence programme.

Behind the Hospital buildings are the beautiful Gardens at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham

Kilmainham Gaol (Irish: Príosún Chill Mhaighneann), a former prison in Kilmainham, Dublin, is now a museum. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed, as were a number of participants in the Civil War.

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Note the symbol of the Monk on the right of the arch - the symbol of Munich

All of the statues on buildings were covered in netting, presumably to keep pigeons off!















Note the decoration on otherwise quite ordinary buildings




Inside Peterskirche, the Catholic St Peter's Church

Rosie The Runner

Approaching Frankfurt Railway Station:

The village of Kemmel is part of the municipality of Heuvelland









During the Mine Battle of Messines (1917) the 16th (Irish) Division and the 36th (Ulster) Division fought side by side. In view of their underlying political differences, this can justifiably be regarded as a unique act of partnership and co-operation.








Road signs pointing to multiple WW1 Cemeteries are a disturbingly common signt in Belgium. THis one is in the Village of Kemmel, Heuvelland.





Hooge Crater

During World War I, the village of Hooge was completely destroyed. Both sides exploded mines beneath the front line trenches. The most visible evidence is a large pond. The site is the result of three mine craters (blown by German units in June 1916 as part of their offensive against Canadian troops) being landscaped into the existing pond near the hotel.










And across the road...

A Lightshow played on the Ramparts

Dave Dobbyn sang Welcome Home

New Zealand Ceremony in the Menin Gate

And then, by way of contrast, just down the road from the Cemetery entrance is this house with it's enormous dog statue!

We had bought lunch, which was copious! but not well planned

New Zealand Memorial Ceremony, Tyne Cot Cemetery, 12 October, 2017

Ypres strikes one as an ordinary Belgium town

... albeit an attractive one...

...until one reaches the central square and sees the Cloth Hall (or Lakenhalle)














And then, after dark, the Belgiums light up their town!

In the midst of the solemnity of the commemorations of New Zealand's darkest military day in WW1, Ypres adorned itself with the trappings of Halloween - across the streets, along the roads, in shop windows, on roadworks, and, finally, on the evening of Friday 13th(!), with a 'Fireshow' and fireworks




















As if that wasn't enough, a fireworks disp[lay was next up!













One of the highlights of the whole evening was coming across this wee shop (selling beer!) on our way home. The owner was delighted that we enjoyed his animated decorations (see the video!)

A lovely shop display, Ypres, 2017

Friday, 13 October, 2017 - Ypres

After parking the car, and working out exactly where we were, our first stop on our walking tour of Bruges was a very imposing Cathedral













And then we wandered our way to the central square, and onwards










Until we decided to go for a river cruise































And then we wandered some more, while we looked for the Half Moon Brewery




We found the brewery, and the tour of it took us up to its roof, from where we could see across the rooftops of the city







And then it was back down to ground-level for more exploring


















Desiree had been determined to find windmills - and we did!


But then eventually back to the main square


and thence to the carpark to retrieve the car

River Cruising, Bruges, October, 2017

The morning drive to Brussels was early enough to be through the slowly clearing mist of early autumn.





When we arrived near the Grote Markt, we were surprised to be engulfed by a parade. We have no idea what it was about, nor did the receptionist at our Hotel!

























































And then when the sun has gone down, the lights get turned on, and the gilt glitters! The crowds of tourists throng!


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Just like with the Parade in the morning, this group of performers were having a great time in the Grote Markt

A welcoming Parade in Brussels, 2017

Street Perfomers, Grote Markt, Brussels, October, 2017