Chris, Angela, Noah + Audrey: Northern Ireland: Sunday at the Northern Coast

5.15.2018

Northern Ireland: Sunday at the Northern Coast

Sunday morning after breakfast and worship, we drove north to visit the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge amd the Giant's Causeway.

You would think a tourist attraction like a rope bridge would be easy to find and surrounded by tourist trappings, but think again. We felt like we were on back country farm roads and turned in to the wrong place first. Still, we spotted the bridge and knew we were close!

"Carrick-a-Rede" comes from the Scottish Gaelic "Carraig-a-Rade" meaning "The Rock in the Road." It has been a prime Atlantic salmon fishing spot since 1620, and in 1755 fishermen erected the first rope bridge connecting it to the mainland. Catches of up to 300 salmon a day were common until the 1960s. Due to river pollution and other causes, it is no longer a salmon fishing spot and is now part of the National Trust and open to visitors.

We bought our timed tickets and waited a bit before we started the hike to the bridge.

Like I mentioned earlier, I was surprised by the rural nature of the area and that we were bordered by grazing sheep and not near many restaurants, hotels or other signs of tourism.

Chris has a fear of heights and was not too excited about the prospect of crossing almost 100 ft. above sea level on a swaying rope bridge. I have to admit, I was rather unsympathetic. Who wouldn't want to take part in such an exhilarating experience in a gorgeous location?

Finally, it was our turn! Here's a quick shot down at my feet as I crossed the bridge.

Views from the island:

He made it!

After walking around the small island, we headed back across. Chris was a little more at ease this time.

We couldn't have asked for a prettier day and we really enjoyed the experience!

It was time to head to the Giant's Causeway, but first, lunch! Chris spotted the Red Door Cafe and a sign that indicated no tour buses could travel down the tiny road to get there, so we knew it was the place for us!

The special was sea bass fish cakes, so I had that with chips (french fries) and it was one of the best meals of the trip!

Next, on to the Giant's Causeway!

The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises basalt columns that form stepping stones that are mostly hexagonal and are up to 39 ft. high.

The area was long ago subject to intense volcanic activity, causing molten basalt to intrude through chalk beds and form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled, horizontal contraction fractured the basalt, leaving pillarlike structures.

The name comes from an ancient legend that the columns are the remains of a causeway formed by a giant. Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) was challenged to a fight by Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Sea so the giants could meet. Across the sea, there are identical basalt columns at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish isle of Staffa.

Visitors wedged coins into the cracks

These yellow flowering bushes are along all the roads in Northern Ireland and Ireland

Catching our breath after the long uphill climb

It was only mid-afternoon and we thought it would be fun to drive to nearby Bushmills to visit the historic Old Bushmills Distillery. In 1608, a royal license was granted to a local landowner by King James I to distill whiskey, but the actual company wasn't formed until 1784.

When we arrived, we learned that we were two minutes too late for the last tour of the day at 4:00. Boo! Still, we walked around a little.

We drove back to Belfast and decided to take a walk through the city to eat at The Barking Dog, recommended by one of my guide books. We shared an amazing specialty burger and it did not disappoint!