Ireland - Day 13 - June 17, 2013

Our time in Derry and the wonderful Abbey Street B&B came to an end fast.  I actually got the best night of sleep I've had on the entire trip thus far there.  It was a great place and the owners were very accommodating.

Our traveling agenda today had us making stops at Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on our way to Belfast.  For the past week we have seen some very beautiful countryside, but our travels today took us along the Atlantic Coast, so we were able to see some very beautiful oceanside views.  The first up...Dunluce Castle.

Dunluce Castle was first built in the 13th century by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and is first documented within the McQuillan family in 1513.

There is not much left of the castle, but it was the views that brought us to this location.

Our next stop was one of the most intriguing (and beautiful) spots I think I've ever seen...Giant's Causeway.  This sights is known for its columns and bee combs.  According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. In one version of the story, Fionn defeats Benandonner. In another, Fionn hides from Benandonner when he realises that his foe is much bigger than him. Fionn's wife, Úna, disguises Fionn as a baby and tucks him in a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the 'baby', he reckons that its father, Fionn, must be a giant among giants. He flees back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him so that Fionn could not follow. 

Our last tour of the day before journeying on into Belfast was the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.  This one would test the fears of many.  It is 98 feet from the water, which is only 4 feet deep.  AND the bridge shakes.  BUT the view is stunning and getting out to the island and what you see on the other side makes it all worth it! Oh, the bridge is based on reinforced steel and the sides are rope, at a cost of about $50,000.  Although it shakes, you know without a doubt you aren't going to fall, but it doesn't make your stomach turn a little.