If you like history, especially social history, then you would love a visit to the County Tyrone village of Sion Mills and if you can’t travel there yourself, I’ll be doing a Thursday Doors post about it at a later date. For now, let me show you just a few of the lovely old buildings that grace the roadside as it cuts through the village. They were all taken from the car as we didn’t have time to stop on this trip, so please excuse the quality.
Sion Mills was founded in 1835, as a linen village community, when a flax-spinning mill was built on the banks of the River Mourne. It employed up to 1,200 people at one point and was renowned as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the linen industry worldwide.
This Church of Ireland, Church of the Good Shepherd, was built in the style of Italian renaissance in 1909 and based on the design of a church at Pistoia, near Florence, Italy.
The sign on this well preserved building says ‘Public Elementary School 1879’
There are over forty listed buildings in Sion Mills, so I am itching to check out as many as I can.
As we continued to drive towards our destination, I tried to capture some interesting images along the way but it was difficult to get a clear shot in a moving vehicle.
‘Let The Dance Begin’ Sculpture by Maurice Harron
These statues of dancers and musicians are 18 feet high and can be found just off the roundabout on the Lifford Road, Strabane, County Tyrone.
My last photograph is of a nice old cottage standing in a field. I had to enlarge this image as it was quite a distance away from the road and I only had my phone camera to work with, so it’s a bit blurred.
Thanks for your visit this week. My next post will feature some night images of Derry city. In the meantime, if you would like to see a selection of Thursday Doors from around the globe, have a look at Norm’s blog and follow the links in the comments.
Jean, these are wonderful buildings and I love the composition in the photos. The stonework in that church is amazing, and I really like the old elementary school. Bring me back here, anytime.
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Thanks, Dan. I think that school is still being used for education today.
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Wow!
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That sculpture is wild…imagine it to be eerie on just the right day. Love the stonework on these buildings, esp Church of Ireland.
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I would love to see those figures at night, with a full moon.
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Yes!
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They’re wonderful. I rarely do as well shooting from the moving car through a window, or even when stopped and the window down!
The first building is so interesting to me. It seems to be built in two totally different styles, and that chimney shape. Is the firebox only upstairs? It’s so different! Perhaps there’s another chimney on the back side of the house for the first floor?
I love those turrets or round bits on the church.
I’m looking forward to Derry through your viewfinder and telling.
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I’m hoping to get inside some of those old buildings in Sion Mills, Deborah, when we spend a day there. I’ll let you know about the odd shaped chimney if I can find out about it on the day.
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The images are great. The village of Sion Mills looks like it would be fun to explore and the sculpture was terrific!
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I’m really looking forward to my return visit.
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You found so many interesting historic buildings! May favorite is the school building. Was surprised to see the design of the church in the renaissance style – I instantly recognized a church I took a shot of in Greece:). Great post, Jean:)
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Thanks, Jesh. I can’t wait to spend a day in that village and soak up all the history.
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Amazing buildings and dancers! đŸ˜® I love them all! Would love to visit myself!
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I’m beginning to love sculpture, Manja, it’s a very expressive artform.
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I think that last shot is fantastic. It captures that moist, pre-spring feeling in the country.
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Moist is a very appropriate word, Jan. We’ve been having a very wet start to Spring. The good thing about that is the trees are budding and everything is a lot greener.
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I’m intrigued by the Church of Ireland. Beautiful building with unusual architecture. Great photos.
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Me too Ally. There are so many lovely old buildings there, they will keep me going in blog posts for months đŸ™‚
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I love this post, and I am in awe of the chimney in the first photo. That is amazing, and I like the dance sculpture as much as the doors. đŸ™‚ I like your car rides. đŸ™‚
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While my husband is driving and cursing the traffic jams, I’m delighted for the slower pace so I can take some photos đŸ™‚
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Oh Jean, something tells me this place is going to give you quality material for many posts. I hope you’re able to get back there for a longer visit soon.
The shot of that first church is great. Such an unusual design style with that turret-like tower in the middle. Some other wonderful old buildings too. I just love it all đŸ™‚
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I need to plan a full day for that visit, Norm. đŸ™‚
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As I’m often doing the driving, taking photos is off the agenda. But you got some lovely ones. Of course, I love the stone, but that’s not really unusual in your part of the world. I love the school and if it ever weren’t a school, what a home it would make!! Looking forward to seeing and reading more about the area.
janet
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I have friends who live in old schoolhouses and they made lovely homes out of them, Janet.
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Hello. A quick note to say I’m going to follow your site. No pressure to reciprocate, though I’ll be happy if you do. Take care.
Neil Scheinin
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Hi Neil. I’m happy to follow your blog, I’ve read some of your interesting posts. Thanks for connecting.
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I’m a bit tardy – but am so glad to have finally caught up! What a lovely crop of pics, Jean. Thank you so much for sharing:)))
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Thanks Sarah. It’s so hard to keep up with everything on social media. I struggle all the time and have almost abandoned Twitter.
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Oh, me too! I’m hoping to get a bit more engaged once I’ve given up teaching at Northbrook, but the idea is to write more, not get swallowed up with social media…
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I agree, Sarah, social media can really distract you from your writing.
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Oh it certainly can!
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For taken from the car you got some really good shots. Nice post.
Pat
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Thank you, Pat đŸ™‚
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