An rud a líonas an tsúil, líonann sé an croí
(What fills the eye, fills the heart)
-Irish Proverb
Adventures were kept to Ulster to be home in time for a family dinner every night. With the younger generation scattered from Washington DC to London to Perth in recent years, it has been rare to have all of us in one place at the same time. But the province is beautiful, and there are some incredible sites to visit along Ulster's Northern Irish Coast in County Antrim.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle was built in the 13th century, and became home to Clan MacDonnell until the Battle of the Boyne in the late 17th century when it began to fall to ruin. The castle sits on an outcropping with extremely steep drops on each side and caves below and gorgeous views in every direction. Dunluce also serves as the Game of Thrones film location site for Pyke Castle and the Iron Islands.
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| Dunluce Castle |
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| Dunluce Castle |
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway is comprised of 40,000 basalt columns formed from volcanic activity 50 million years ago. Ancient Celtic myth claims Fionn mac Cumhaill created the columns to walk across the Ocean to the Scottish Coast, which is visible from the shore, to battle the Giant Benandonner.
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| Walking up the path to Giants Causeway |
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| Giants Causeway |
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| Giants Causeway |
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| Basalt Columns |
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| Scotland is visible far off the coast and across the sea |
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| The Boot of Fionn mac Cumhaill (left) |
Carrick-a-Rede (the Rope Bridge)
The Rope Bridge, suspended 100 feet over the sea, was built by Salmon fishermen in the mid 17th century. The bridge is only 20 meters in length but the views along the one mile cliff hike from the harbor to bridge are spectacular.
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| Walking the cliffs at Carrick-a-Rede |
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| Grasslands on the Harborside of the Bridge |
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| Carrick-a-Rede (the Rope Bridge) |
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| Coastal Caves and blue-green waters |
The Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges align the entrance to Gracehill House in Stranocum and due to Game of Thrones popularity, the site is now one of the most visited in Antrim. Gracehill grounds include a
golf course with very reasonable green fees but unfortunately, I did not bring clubs on this trip.
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| The Dark Hedges |
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| Gracehill House, built 1775 by the descendant of King James Stuart |
