Blogs from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

Ireland the North 2. Banbridge Short day with the first 25 miles on cycleways following the coast and the river Lagan until we reached the south side of Lisburn. We had a moment when we encountered a fallen tree across the path and had to dismount and carry the bike over cyclocross style. After the great cycle path we met a small hill which seemed like a mountain after the earlier flat riding. Lorna’s gears were causing problems when we got to Hillsborough so a bit of fine tuning was required after coffee at the Owl and the Pussycat cafe. The rest of the route took us through dairy farmland and what looked like fairly prosperous farms with good farm buildings and modern machinery. The Banville Hotel was found just after lunch and a sandwich at ... 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

The incredible and magical Giant’s Causeway has awed and astounded millions of tourists over the years with its mystique and uniqueness, but long before it became easy or common for world travelers to journey to the County Antrim UNESCO World Heritage site, wonder has always surrounded the story of its creation. We know now the true yet still amazing reason for its existence and how the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns perfectly shaped into hexagons, were created through volcanic activity some 50 to 60 million years ago. And yet, with the mystical atmosphere that hangs over the mighty Causeway, it almost seems that the myths and legends that have been told by storyteller after storyteller (and I’m about to add myself to that list), would make for more appropriate tales. My story begins when I boarded a ... 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