Ireland, a whistle-stop tour of the Emerald Isle.
Pure bureaucratic madness required that we had to drive to Scotland to catch a ferry to Northern Ireland to get an EU Passport for our dog, Truffle, to avoid the calamitous UK Health Certificate to enter the EU. (full details in Technical Tips) For once though, we really appreciated the inconvenience. Our tour took us first to Belfast to get the necessary paperwork done, and then for a breathtaking jaunt along the Causeway Coastal route along the north coast before we dipped our toes into Southern Ireland. Stunning views, four seasons in one day, the very best food and drink, and most importantly, the friendliest people we have ever come across. The only downside was the numerous height barriers that barred our access to several places. We will be back for longer next time.
Cairnryan, Scotland. Waiting for our ferry
Cairnryan, Scotland. Waiting for our ferry
A choppy crossing to Larne, Northern Ireland
Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus
Church Island on Lough Beg
Church Island on Lough Beg
Church Island on Lough Beg
Church Island on Lough Beg
The start of the Causeway Coastal Route
Blackcave Tunnel
Ballygalley Bay
The Polar Bear rock of Ballygalley (looks more like a whitewashed SpongeBob SquarePants)
Ballygalley Bay
Cranny Valley
Cranny Falls – Carnlough
Cranny Falls
Waterfoot Bay
Galboly Bay
The Hidden Village of Galboly – as seen in Game of Thrones
The Hidden Village of Galboly – as seen in Game of Thrones
The Hidden Village of Galboly – as seen in Game of Thrones
Souvenir seeking vandals reveal the truth of the interior of the cottage used in Game of Thrones – it is fibreglass!
The Hidden Village of Galboly – as seen in Game of Thrones
Wilding at Cushendun Harbour
Cushendun Caves
Cushendun Caves
Cushendun Caves
Cushendun
Layd Old Church – Cushendall
Layd Old Church – Cushendall
Layd Old Church – Cushendall
Layd Old Church – Cushendall
Layd Old Church – Cushendall
Bonamargy Friary – Ballycastle
Bonamargy Friary – Ballycastle. Haunted by the ghost of the Black Nun!
Bonamargy Friary – Ballycastle
Bonamargy Friary – Ballycastle
The tidal race at Kinbane Castle – Ballycastle
Kinbane Castle – Ballycastle
Kinbane Castle – Ballycastle
Kinbane Castle – Ballycastle
Kinbane Castle – Ballycastle
Checking the wind speed at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Ballintoy
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Ballintoy
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Ballintoy
Ballintoy Harbour
Ballintoy Cave
Ballintoy Cave
Rough seas at Ballintoy
Ballintoy
Elephant Rock – Ballintoy
Elephant Rock – Ballintoy
A night in, Irish style, by a peat fire
A night in, Irish style, by a peat fire
A night in, Irish style, by a peat fire
A night in, Irish style, by a peat fire
A night in, Irish style, by a peat fire
Whitepark Bay
Dunseverick Harbour
Dunseverick Harbour
Dunseverick Falls
Dunseverick Falls
Dunseverick Castle
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Boot at the Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway
The huge natural amphitheatre at the Giant’s Causeway
The Organ Pipes at the Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway visitor centre
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle
White Rocks Beach, Dunluce
White Rocks Beach, Dunluce
The Wishing Arch, Dunluce
Breaking seas at Portrush
Portrush
Portrush
Portrush
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
Manannán Mac Lir, the legendary sea-god of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Manannán Mac Lir, the legendary sea-god of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Martello Tower, Magilligan Point
Magilligan Point
Londonderry
The Derry Girls, Londonderry
The old city wall gate, Londonderry
Londonderry
Londonderry
Londonderry
Londonderry
Londonderry – this used to be the gable wall of a house
Londonderry
The Peace Bridge, Londonderry
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Snow above Marble Arch Caves – Enniskillen
Overnight at Houghton’s Shore on Lough Garadine, Southern Ireland
Ardboe High Cross
Ardboe Monastery
Ardboe Monastery
Antrim Castle Gardens – the long canals
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens – the 12th-century motte
Antrim Castle Gardens
Olderfleet Castle, Larne
Olderfleet Castle, Larne
Boarding the ferry at Larne
Arriving back at Cairnryan
Our route around Ireland