Northern Ireland & Donegal

One of the many beneficial parts of having visitors in Ireland is that we also get to travel more and see other areas that we may not have seen yet. On my parents' visit to Ireland, we got to take a trip to Northern Ireland and the Antrim Coast, yet another stunning part of the island.

We packed up our car, AKA the Little Green Machine, and set out Friday evening after work, planning to get to the coast by night. Well, that would've worked if a hay truck didn't catch on fire and cause the major northbound highway to close. Only in Ireland! So, we followed the advice of our go-to Ireland guru, our friend Phil, and spent the night in the coastal town of Carlingford. It was unplanned, but turned out to be a charming little stop.

Antrim Coast / Carrick-a-Rede

The next morning, we left early and drove a couple hours to the Antrim Coast and made our first stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The bridge spans 20 metres and is 30 metres above the rocks below, connecting the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede island. The pictures are below are deceiving because the bridge was much higher than it looks! 

My Mom assured me the bridge didn't shake when you walk across. She also was the only one on it in a previous visit... different story during busy season! I'm not scared of heights, but it's unnerving walking across the rope bridge, staring down at the rocks below and feeling the bridge bounce up and down as the maximum capacity is reached!

View from bridge

After Carrick-a-Rede, we stopped at the Giant's Causeway. According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant, Finn MacCool, was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn accepted and built the causeway across the North Channel so the giants could meet. Finn's wife then disguises him as a baby, and when Benandonner sees the size of the "baby," he believes that his father must be monstrous. Benandonner flees back to Scotland in fear, destroying the causeway behind so Finn can't follow.

Now, my Geologist of a father would be happy to explain the real reason the causeway formed. The fascinating pattern of polygonal columns were formed from volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago, caused by rock crystallization under conditions of slow cooling. There are identical columns across the sea in Scotland, hence the giant story.

Whichever story you choose to believe, it makes for some gorgeous scenery!

Next, we made a short stop to view the coastal remains of Dunluce Castle, then drove another couple hours back into the northern part of the Republic of Ireland to stay the night in the town of Malin in Donegal. 

Dunluce Castle

Brandon & parents - Dunluce

On Sunday morning, we took a scenic drive to Malinhead, the northern most point in Ireland, for more views of rugged beauty. The route we chose was drawn on a map by a sweet, local woman named Mary. She said, "you'll feel like you're driving through someone's backyard, but you aren't, so keep going!" Ha! She wasn't kidding...

The so-called "road"

Finally saw sheep on the road!

Malinhead

After Malinhead, we made a short stop in Buncrana for a nice walk, then made the trip back to Dublin. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend! One word to the wise: to anyone braving a trip in a small car, on the other side of narrow country roads, with their nervous parents in the backseat, good luck to you! Ha. It's an experience in itself ;) Though in all sincerity, it was wonderful to be able to view more of scenic Ireland with my husband and parents by my side.

Malinhead - Northern most point in Ireland