Blogs from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe

Causeway Express Tour Today, Renata, Mom and I took an excursion booked through Get Your Guide called the “Causeway Express Tour Shore Excursion.” Belfast Murals Our first stop was Belfast where we saw various political murals and graffiti on our way to the Dark Hedges. The Dark Hedges The Dark Hedges was made famous as the Kingsroad in the HBO television show Game of Thrones whom Renata and I are big fans. Walking around the dark hedges was a real treat. Old Bushmills Distillery After seeing the Dark Hedges, we made our way to Old Bushmills Distillery where we had a taste of different Irish whiskeys. Giant’s Causeway We ended the day at the Giant’s Causeway, the highlight of the tour. The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal route. ... read more

30th September We docked in Belfast very early in the morning. The harbour glistening with all the lights. The luck of the Irish was definitely not on our side as regards weather today unfortunately. We had thought about visiting Giants Causeway but with the rain teaming down and the howling wind we decided against it. As we left the docks we saw two huge twin shipbuilding gantry cranes. The cranes were named after the Biblical figures Samson and Goliath. Constructed by the German engineering firm Krupp, with Goliath was completed in 1969 and Samson, in 1974. Goliath stands 315 ft tall, Samson is taller at 348 ft. At the time Harland & Wolff was one of the largest shipbuilders in the world. Leaving the city we took part of The Causeway Coastal Scenic Drive to Glenariff ... read more

Ireland the North. Larne Today was a wonderful run from Ballintoy to Larne starting in the mist and climbing into the sun above Ballycastle. The first big climb took us to Tor Head from where you can see Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre nearby. We were above the mist, which gave the scene a mystical air. The route was very tough with several severe climbs and descents all the way to Cushenden where a coffee and cake was required for further progress to be made without the legs making a transition to floppy rubber. Another hill with appropriate views before a descent to Cushendall and the Folly at the crossroads. After this and a small climb out of the town we were on a flattish route all the way to the port of Larne. Many ... read more

Ireland the North. Day12 Ballintoy What a wonderful spell of weather we are having. Blue skies and little wind. The coastline north from Portstewart is a Mecca for holiday makers with many attractions for children and golf courses for others. This Antrim coast around Coleraine and Bushmills is also home to the North West 200 motorcycle race held each May on public roads. It is a really amazing place with rocky outcrops, rolling waves crashing onto the headland and a mixture of basalt and white limestone rocks. The waves have eroded some outcrops and formed some tunnels through which the sea is dashing through. Dunluce Castle, whilst in ruins,is quite large and quite photogenic, whilst some others further north like Dunseverick, are in a more dilapidated state. Giants Causeway is quite spectacular, consisting of mostly hexagonal ... read more

From Overland Ireland Tours: “Introduction – Sure, have you never heard of an Irish half hour? It can stretch out for days and 10 is what you’ve got to experience this guided ‘road trip’ along the Antrim Coast, through The Wild Atlantic Way. From ancient Newgrange, it’s full tilt ahead to The Titanic Experience in Belfast, an award-winning interactive adventure about the most tragic ship in the world. We’ll walk in the footsteps of Fionn McCool at The Giant’s Causeway, where a volcanic eruption forged this Wonder of the World some 60 million years ago and look! Is that Jon Snow in the ‘dark hedges’? We’ll be heading to the iconic beech trees to find out. From Derry; the last walled city to be built in Europe, to sinking oyster and champagne shots in Ardara in ... read more