Northern Ireland
After several days in the southern and western areas of the Republic of Ireland, we made our way to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Along the way, we stopped in Sligo to get groceries. Then we turned away from the Wild Atlantic Way and spent a couple of days inland.
As we crossed into Northern Ireland, our only clue was that the speed limit signs changed from kilometers per hour to miles per hour. We stayed at a nice family owned and operated camping park in Enniskillen. The weather was chilly, but this park had blissful hot showers.
The next night we stayed at a campsite on a farm east of the city of Derry. The campsite was at the base of a large hill called Benbradagh, which has history involving the United States. The host and owner of the campsite explained that it was the communications center for the U.S. North Atlantic fleet from the 1940s to the 1970s. He seemed pleased to tell Americans something new to us that overlooks his back yard. The next morning we headed north to the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland. In the photo above, the small town of Portrush lies in the background along this coastline.
In the middle ground of the photo above, you can just make out the ruins of Dunluce Castle overlooking the sea from its own cliff. We found this wild and remote area of Northern Ireland stunning and beautiful.
Our next stop along the northern coastline of Northern Ireland -- the Giant's Causeway. This interesting spot features an unusual geological phenomenon: interlocking hexagon-shaped basalt formations. Some seem worn down by the surf, as shown above, and serve as stepping stones now. Others look like a jumbled staircase climbing up a hill, as in the photo below.
The most impressive are the tall columns. These below formed a sort of jetty out into the sea.
The Giant's Causeway park has built several trails to enjoy the scenery and geology. Some are quite difficult, such as those out to the point across Port Noffer cove below. Because I was still nursing a foot injury, we chose the easy and moderate trails. It's nice to have options.
After a hot and hearty lunch at the cafeteria style restaurant at the visitors center, we continued on the Causeway coastline enjoying the views along the way.
Such a rugged shore! Exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, the occupants of this house have seen some stormy weather, I expect. Before we turned away from the coastline, we were treated to scenes of fields edged with stone walls on the bluffs, still rugged but with more of a pleasant pastoral feeling.
