Living The Irish Dream - Part 3

     From County Donegal , we drove into County Londonderry and then on to County Antrim. And we had driven from Ireland into Northern Ireland, thus entering the United Kingdom. We were headed for a town called Bushmills, which was our base for the three places that we were keen to visit.
     The highlight was, of course, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant's Causeway. It is not only a marvel of nature, but also a place where you can let your imagination run wild. After all, legend says that this causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn McCool to link Ireland with Scotland as he wanted to teach the Scottish giant Benandonner a lesson. Standing there, walking on the causeway, it was not difficult for me to imagine a time when this legendary protector of Ireland was making his mark on the very same steps. Scenes of his battle with the rude Benandonner, as giant clashed with giant, had unfurled on these very same steps. 

Hexagonal basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway

Near-perfect hexagonal shapes

Walking in the steps of Finn McCool

Wonderful to heave and hurl yourself up these columns

     If you do not believe in myths and legends, you would still be awed by these hexagonal basalt beauties. These over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed as an aftermath of volcanic crashing, burning and cooling. As I explored these near-perfect hexagonal tubes stacked next to each like puzzle pieces, I was completely amazed by these fabulous geological formations.

 The Giant's Causeway...magical at all times of the day, and especially when bathed by the last light of the day

Myth or science...the Giant's Causeway will nevertheless awe you

     9 minutes away from the Giant's Causeway lies the medieval castle ruins of Dunluce Castle. It is perched majestically atop the steep cliffs, with the rugged Antrim coastline as the backdrop. We did not venture in, but were more than happy to admire it from afar.

The medieval Dunluce Castle and its surroundings

Majestic ruins of Dunluce Castle, accessible after a steep climb

Moo moos near Dunluce Castle

     Visitors to this area should not give the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge (15 minutes from the Giant's Causeway) a miss.  First erected by salmon fishermen in 1755, this famous rope  suspension bridge links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede. It was extremely thrilling to walk nimbly across the bridge that spans over a 23-metre deep and 20-metre wide chasm. I prayed that no fat giant would decide to cross the bridge while I was still on it as that would have rocked it wildly. The views all around, and especially from the tiny island, simply took my breath away.

The walk to the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge allows one to drink in such astounding sights

Adventurous lass making her way to the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge

My hero making his way across the bridge

     
     

A view of the rope suspension bridge that spans over the dizzying gap over the North Atlantic

Photographer hard at work trying to capture some shots of wildlife

As we left for Belfast, we made a stop at the Dark Hedges in the small town of Ballymoney. It is a beautiful avenue of beech trees planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century. These iconic trees have even been used as filming locations.

The Dark Hedges (not so dark at this time of the day)

     Many do not make the journey from Ireland into Northern Ireland for various reasons, but it would be a real pity. Northern Ireland, especially County Antrim, has so much to offer. Just some advice : 1. Make sure you have Euros for Ireland and Pound Sterling for Northern Ireland. 2. Driving speed in Northern Ireland goes by miles per hour, so do not make the mistake that I made. I drove like a tortoise at 20 km per hour, having mistaken the 20 mile per hour sign for 20 km per hour! But the long train of cars trailing behind me were far too polite to honk at me.