While on a two week vacation in Ireland & London, I kept track of what we did and my own thoughts in order to help me remember. Two weeks is a long time! I realized other might benefit from my experience, or at least enjoy my photos. This should not serve as the definitive guide to Ireland, just my own wandering trip.
Day 9 – Derry & the Antrim Coast
We were up and about early in Derry. First we walked the Bogside murals. Bogside was the Catholic neighborhood in Derry where Bloody Sunday occurred and the modern Troubles began. Three local artists have commemorated the events with 12 building side murals (you can see them all here). They were moving and a look into a past I have never understood. It was a worthwhile trip into Derry.
From there we headed east along the northern coast of Ireland. We stopped at Dunlace Castle, which is a beautifully restored and maintain castle ruin, one of the best I have seen.
We then went on to the Giant’s Causeway a place that really defies explanation. We walked the cliffs over looking the Causeway for an hour or two, and then descended to seaside. While we were topside, we couldn’t understand why everyone was swarming over this one little outcropping.
As we walked to it along the shore, we realized it was one of the most amazing geological phenomena’s we had ever seen. There are over 38,000 hexagonal towers. They look like they are made from concrete. They are stunning and photos don’t begin to describe it (probably why the guide book didn’t have any photos.)
From there we headed along the coast, stopped into a small town for tea and then went to the rope bridge. If you look at any tourist book of Ireland, it will show the rope bridge. It was a lovely 1km walk to a rocky out cropping with a rope bridge extended well above the surf. It was windy and a little scary, but the views were well worth the 5 pounds.
We then drove into Bally Castle, checked into a lovely B&B and took a nap. Bally Castle was largely ignored by the guidebooks, but we found it to be everything we needed in a quiet town. We went to the Central Pub and had the best dinner in Ireland. It was a surprise to find it out here, but the food was amazing. We started sharing the chicken and sweet corn chowder. I had the sea bass over potatoes with caramelized onions and smushed peas (a new favorite). Jared had a pasta dish. Both were incredible.
We spent some time at the bar, sitting with the locals watching golf. The bartender is headed to Alabama in November to spend a couple of weeks bartending during the football season. We then came back, watched some BBC comedy and went to bed early.
