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

Ireland the North Day 9 Downings. The weather is getting better and better with a good forecast for all this week. We were born lucky. At least we weren’t hampered by the hordes of people today that were in Ardara yesterday to attend the ’graveyard mass’ in the nearby churchyard. The Atlantic guest house can be recommended for a self catering stay in Ardara in plush rooms and modern kitchen. The hill heading north straight out of town was a rotten trick hitting us before my legs had warmed up and the gears were working overtime on my Kinesis to cope. Rolling hills were the pattern for much of the day apart from one long hill in Glenveagh National Park with a wonderful descent down the other side with a tail wind. We manage to find ... read more

Ireland the North 2. Day 8. Donegal A day in Donegal lounging about for some and learning about its heritage. A visit to the castle was very rewarding and I can recommend at €4 for a pensioner. The castle was built in 1841 by Red O’Donnell who was a descendant of a man called Domhnaill who died in 901. The castle was later given to an English soldier, Basil Brooke, as a reward after the 9 years war in 1601. He restored the castle which had lain in ruins having been destroyed by the O’Connells to keep it from the English. It later lay in a ruined state again until the 1990’s when it was partially restored to its former glory. The timber structure of the roof is a real work of art. The O’Donnell ruling ... read more

Ireland the North 2. Day 7. Sligo Another day of forgetfulness but not me today. One of our guys left his mini rucksack in the cafe in Ballysadare. This was not discovered until we got to Sligo and fortunately Bill was with his car and he slipped back to collect it. Another lady had a sore knee joint and rode in the car most of the way. Bravo Bill. The weather has been kind again today with a few showers, most of which we missed, and with sunny skies for a large part of the day. Following the coast to Easky we noticed a great number of houses and buildings abandoned and the replacements were very expensive looking. Ireland has some lovely thatched cottages, a number of which we saw today, along with some very colourful ... read more