Northern Ireland

This is the second time we’ve visited the wonderful coast of Northern Ireland.  The first time, two years ago, was in the middle of summer with the sun out, the air was warm; it was also July 12th - “Orange Parade Day’ in Belfast.  Which was pretty exciting for us to observe. Businesses were closed and there was little traffic on any of the motorways. It was pretty easy to get around town.  This time our trip up north there were fewer tour buses, but much more traffic on the motorways and no parades.  Not such an easy city to drive around when it’s business as usual in Belfast.

Bimbo's car

So, let’s just get this out of the way – I had my first fender bender.  With 4 lanes approaching the roundabout, merging and having to decipher which exit I needed –Waiting behind another car I looked right and see NO CARS – (yee haw) the lady (bimbo) ahead of me starts off, so I start rolling – then she stops!! (don’t ask me why?!!!) I tried to miss her but instead slightly bumped her right rear fender.  Barely a scratch on her car, but now the glass is broken over the left front light on my car, and there is a little dent and scrape along the front.  (cuss word) Apparently after one has a car accident you are to sit and wait for the police to show up, we did for 1 hour!  All the while I’m on the phone with Enterprise following their instructions on what to do when you’ve had an accident.  We moved over to a gas station, the police took their report – I even got a breath analyzer (so many firsts in Ireland!) Really nice police.  Everyone left, and we waited for AA (roadside assistance) to show up.  We thought maybe they’d tow the car and bring us another (NOT) Almost 4 hours later, two show up and say, nothing we can do but maybe cover the bulb. Nice guys.  They phoned the local Enterprise only to find out we could drop off the car, but they would not rent us another (different country thing).  We kept the car with it’s broken headlight cover.

My car

I don’t like driving at night, but thankfully both headlights worked.  We arrived late to the Causeway Hotel but not so late that we could not get our Mulled Wine (another first) and relax in the bar. 

The Causeway Hotel is by far one of my most favorite hotels.  It was built in 1841, added on to over the years but there are still only 28 rooms.  I love staying in older places that have been kept up, but you can still see their original character shining through.

The next morning, we drove over to another of my most favorite places, the ruins of Dunluce Castle.  Originally built by the McQuillan family in 1513, they were ‘displaced’ by the MacDonnell’s of Antrim and the Clan MacDonald of Scotland in the 16th century.  This is a magnificent location.  The ruins sit high on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  I did not know this the first time we came, but beneath the castle and rocks, is a cave – the Mermaid Cave. (closed to public now)

It’s said this is where you can hear the banshee of Dunluce Castle.  The banshee is said to be Maeve Roe, the only daughter of Lord McQuillan who tried to marry her off to Rory Oge.  She refused and attempted to steal away with her lover Reginald O’Cahan out the Mermaid’s cave, but their boat was ‘dashed against the cliffs of the white rocks’ and her body was never recovered.  Legend says she still weeps for her lost love.  We listened but never heard her, perhaps it was too cold.

Dark Hedges

I have read that due to the many tours, and tourists harmful nature, the road of the “Dark Hedges” will be closed to traffic soon.  We were fortunate that only a couple of other individual cars were there, but I could see the lack of concern from tourism could easily ruin this location and beautiful old trees.  The trees are bare now, but when fully leafed, a great and peaceful shade is cast over the road; making this place almost unworldly.


Next up, and certainly more impressive is the Giants Causeway. It’s unique formation of hexagonal rocks formed by a volcano 60 million years ago was recognized in 1986 as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Or was it Finn McCool that formed the rocks into their unique shape?  I love this legend and must tell it to you! 

Someone across the water in Scotland (Benandonner) is giving Finn a bad time.  So, Finn grabs chunks of coast and throws them into the sea.  They form a path, so Finn decides to go over and teach him a lesson.  Well, turns out that Benandonner is a huge and terrifyingly massive giant.   Finn runs back across the stone path only to be followed by the Scot.  Finn’s wife (quick thinking and wise wife) disguises him as a baby. Invites the scot into their home stating that her husband is out but will return soon, but please don’t wake the baby while you wait.  Well, Benandonner thinks if the baby is that big, daddy must be enormous, and retreats to Scotland destroying the path as he goes.

After our pneumonia and being housebound for so long it was great to get out and tour Ireland again. Our two days were filled with rest, relaxation, good food, a couple of firsts - our drive back to Athlone was uneventful.

PHOTO ALBUM