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Antrim Coast and Whiskey in a Jar

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

It is not the literal past, the “facts” of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.

Brian Friel

The Antrim Coast is stunning, whilst the Giant’s Causeway is the main attraction the coastline is littered with soaring cliffs, abandoned castles, beaches and the Bushmills Distillery.

We enjoyed a pleasant day driving along the coast, gazing out across the Irish Sea to Scotland laying on the horizon so close it appears as if an extra low tide may allow you to walk there.

After a short hike, we reached the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and made the short crossing to a small island that houses a small fishing outpost. Who would keep the fishing boat on this small island instead of the nearby mainland? A question I asked a colleague who immigrated from Northern Ireland and he replied, ‘My Grandfather.’

Fans of Game of Thrones can check out a film location down to the left of the main car park.

Antrim Coast

Antrim Coast

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Steve crossing the rope bridge

Steve crossing the rope bridge

Dunluce Castle is one of the finest castles in Northern Ireland but not nearly good enough for the Countess of Antrim who begged her husband for a new home away from the coast and finally left without him when the kitchen disappeared into the sea during a dinner party. According to legend, taking the heavy dessert and most of the staff with it.

Happy to be at Dunluce Castle

Happy to be at Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle

The History of Dunluce Castle

The History of Dunluce Castle

 

 

 

 

 

Old Bushmills Distillery has produced fine Irish Whiskey since the 17th Century, and every year hosts 120000 visitors on an intoxicating tour of their facility. The air is literally steeped in whiskey, and the distillers only spend two hours tending to the distilling process at a time to ward off the effects. It’s a fun tour, a chance to indulge in some history and distilling folklore before exiting into the cafe where you can sip a free sample over lunch. You can buy  a 12 year old bottle of Bushmills at the distillery (not available elsewhere) but buyers of the widely distributed 10, 16 and 20 year old Bushmills may well find a better price at Duty Free than the distillery.

Enjoying a Whisky at Bushmills.

Enjoying a Whiskey at Bushmills.

Old Bushmills Distillery

Old Bushmills Distillery

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Filed Under: bottom, history, landscape Tagged With: antrim, coast, rope bridge, whiskey

Dallying in Dingle

Minard Castle - Dingle

I am a daylight atheist.

Brendan Behan

A full day to explore Dingle, bike and hike to Eask Tower, horse riding, search for Fungie in the harbour or visit Great Blasket Island – so many options for a single one day so we rose early, headed down to breakfast and saw the fog enshrouding the bay. Thoughts of hiking, biking or sailing dissipated as quickly as the boat disappeared into the foggy expanse, we dallied over a magnificent breakfast spread contemplating the sightseeing options closer to town. Perhaps we can risk a walk out to the harbour entrance to see the 19th Century folly?

The grey mist persisted until after lunch but we walked out to the harbour entrance and sat under the folly watching tour boats searching forlornly for Fungie the dolphin; no Fungie, no cost is their guarantee I think they made little money that day. The English fishing along the shore no doubt happy that the dolphin was not there to scare the fish away.

Back in town, we lingered over lunch and in St. Joseph’s Convent we listened to the narration explaining the illumination of master craftsman Harry Clark’s six stained glass windows depicting scenes of the life of Christ. Outside the Sisters lie together under the spreading boughs of an old tree, their service to God complete they rest eternally in their adopted home.

An interesting if bleak day but the sun did emerge to bring colour to our Dingle stay.

Shark?

Shark?

Searching for Fungie

Searching for Fungie

Sisters Last Resting Place

Sisters Last Resting Place

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Filed Under: activity, bottom Tagged With: castle, coast, dingle, fog

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