Waking from restful sleep we showered and made our way to breakfast, afterward we checked out of the hotel and departed Derry under a cover of clouds. We soon found ourselves trapped in the rush of cars and buses delivering children to school coupled with the mad dash of businessman's commute. Eventually breaking free from the tangle of cars we arrived at the seaside town of Portrush, perched on the Antrim Coast. We then join the Antrim Coastal Highway to follow the Causeway Coast. As we pass the Portrush Golf Course the limestone and basalt cliffs push the highway up to offer stunning views of the Antrim Coast.
We soon arrived at Dunluce Castle and since the castle wouldn't open for another half hour, we seized the opportunity to explore the surrounding grounds. The Castle, situated on a precipice, is protected on all sides by a steep cliff, access is from a solitary bridge connected to the mainland. Working our way down to the castle's foundation we discover a tunnel cut through the crag to offer a supply conduit to the beach below. Joining the tour we learn some of the history of this strategic location, which included early settlement of the site by Christians and Vikings, then an Irish fort occupying the stronghold. The castle, first built by the Earl of Ulster Richard De Burgh, dates to the year 1200 and was occupied continuously through differing states of repair. In 1588 the Girona, a galleon of the Spanish Armada was wrecked in a storm on the rocks nearby. The cannons from the ship were installed in the gatehouses and the rest of the cargo sold, the funds used to restore the castle. Deterioration of the seaside cliff lead to a rock slide in 1639 which caused the kitchen to collapse into the sea, taking the kitchen staff with it as well. The castle then served as the Ulster seat of power until 1690 when the Battle of the Boyne led to the impoverishment of MacDonnells and the eventual abandonment of the castle. After falling into ruin and being scavenged to serve as materials for nearby construction, the castle is now reclaimed by the Environmental and Heritage Service. After touring the castle we again join the coastal highway and discover a separate castle almost completely in ruin before our arrival at the Giant's Causeway.
Arriving at the Giant's Causeway visitor's center we parked the car, then hiked along the coast. The easily recognised Giant's Causeway is comprised of an estimated 40,000 vertical basalt columns. Legend has it that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. Fionn fled after seeing Benandonner's great bulk, and asked his wife to disguise him as a baby. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed. Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn. The Causeway is famous for being the location shot for the cover of Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy album. We joined other visitors exploring the rocky coast and many sided stone columns. We saved some time by choosing to return to the parking lot by bus, and soon are back on the highway.
After a short drive we park and under a welcoming sky as we begin the long hike to the Carrick-a-Rede bridge. The original rope bridge was re-built each year by the local salmon fisherman to gain access to the tiny island of Carrick for the annual salmon run, now the bridge is made of cable and rope and maintained by the National Trust. The bridge tender takes wind readings to make sure it is safe for us to cross, we then make the windy chasm crossing on the swinging bridge and take in the picturesque scenery on the island. Scotland is in view as we gaze out over the sea before we trek back to our awaiting car. We then made our way down through County Antrim toward Belfast.
As we neared Belfast, the motorway snaked as it descended from the mountains overlooking our destination. Arriving in Belfast with time to spare before our rental car allotment expired, we checked into the hotel and dropped our luggage before dropping the car at the airport. We then hopped a bus to return to Belfast and start a new exploration. We made our way to the City Hall and plaza to watch as people lazily soaked in the warm sunshine. Crews were setting tents and kiosks for an upcoming festival as we strolled around the massive building. After a leisurely walk around the city to get our bearings we soon were looking for dinner and found the Bourbon Grill the top contender. Kate was impressed by the old Victorian building and decor, I by the well prepared meals. After dining we moved on the the Crown Liquor Saloon and more lavish Victorian decor, as well as bustling atmosphere and a couple of proper pints. Following drinks we further explored the city before settling back to our room for a well deserved slumber.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
We soon arrived at Dunluce Castle and since the castle wouldn't open for another half hour, we seized the opportunity to explore the surrounding grounds. The Castle, situated on a precipice, is protected on all sides by a steep cliff, access is from a solitary bridge connected to the mainland. Working our way down to the castle's foundation we discover a tunnel cut through the crag to offer a supply conduit to the beach below. Joining the tour we learn some of the history of this strategic location, which included early settlement of the site by Christians and Vikings, then an Irish fort occupying the stronghold. The castle, first built by the Earl of Ulster Richard De Burgh, dates to the year 1200 and was occupied continuously through differing states of repair. In 1588 the Girona, a galleon of the Spanish Armada was wrecked in a storm on the rocks nearby. The cannons from the ship were installed in the gatehouses and the rest of the cargo sold, the funds used to restore the castle. Deterioration of the seaside cliff lead to a rock slide in 1639 which caused the kitchen to collapse into the sea, taking the kitchen staff with it as well. The castle then served as the Ulster seat of power until 1690 when the Battle of the Boyne led to the impoverishment of MacDonnells and the eventual abandonment of the castle. After falling into ruin and being scavenged to serve as materials for nearby construction, the castle is now reclaimed by the Environmental and Heritage Service. After touring the castle we again join the coastal highway and discover a separate castle almost completely in ruin before our arrival at the Giant's Causeway.
Arriving at the Giant's Causeway visitor's center we parked the car, then hiked along the coast. The easily recognised Giant's Causeway is comprised of an estimated 40,000 vertical basalt columns. Legend has it that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. Fionn fled after seeing Benandonner's great bulk, and asked his wife to disguise him as a baby. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed. Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn. The Causeway is famous for being the location shot for the cover of Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy album. We joined other visitors exploring the rocky coast and many sided stone columns. We saved some time by choosing to return to the parking lot by bus, and soon are back on the highway.
After a short drive we park and under a welcoming sky as we begin the long hike to the Carrick-a-Rede bridge. The original rope bridge was re-built each year by the local salmon fisherman to gain access to the tiny island of Carrick for the annual salmon run, now the bridge is made of cable and rope and maintained by the National Trust. The bridge tender takes wind readings to make sure it is safe for us to cross, we then make the windy chasm crossing on the swinging bridge and take in the picturesque scenery on the island. Scotland is in view as we gaze out over the sea before we trek back to our awaiting car. We then made our way down through County Antrim toward Belfast.
As we neared Belfast, the motorway snaked as it descended from the mountains overlooking our destination. Arriving in Belfast with time to spare before our rental car allotment expired, we checked into the hotel and dropped our luggage before dropping the car at the airport. We then hopped a bus to return to Belfast and start a new exploration. We made our way to the City Hall and plaza to watch as people lazily soaked in the warm sunshine. Crews were setting tents and kiosks for an upcoming festival as we strolled around the massive building. After a leisurely walk around the city to get our bearings we soon were looking for dinner and found the Bourbon Grill the top contender. Kate was impressed by the old Victorian building and decor, I by the well prepared meals. After dining we moved on the the Crown Liquor Saloon and more lavish Victorian decor, as well as bustling atmosphere and a couple of proper pints. Following drinks we further explored the city before settling back to our room for a well deserved slumber.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
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