We then made our way from Portaferry up the coast towards Coleraine. We spent an afternoon in this lovely town looking around the shops. We then made our way to the campsite near the Giant’s Causeway. After settling Esmerelda we took the Causeway Rambler bus from the campsite all the way to the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge and back again.
The following day we again took the Causeway Rambler bus to the Giant’s Causeway. The visitor centre was very interesting and we heard the legend of the two giant’s – one in Scotland called Benandonner and the Irish Finn McCool – who threw the stones into the sea to build the causeway. We then took the shuttle bus down to the Causeway itself. We walked through the Gateway and around past the Giant’s boot, past the Giant’s pipe organ and onto a viewing platform – we could walk no further as there had been a rockslide and the path had been closed.
Finn McCool's shoe size.
The Giant's pipe organ
Sadly we could walk no further
We discovered that Fingal’s Cave is the Socttish end of the Causeway – a great excuse for another visit to Scotland then!
We then came back and spent time actually climbing onto the causeway and taking plenty of photos.
After lunch in the visitor centre we then caught the Causeway Rambler bus to the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. I had already decided that there was no way I was going on the bridge but Jim was keen to do so. As we were walking to the bridge (around a 30 minute walk) we could see people on the bridge, but just before we approached it we found that the bridge had been closed as the wind speed had increased. Jim was very disappointed but when we saw the bridge close up I was not!
When the lady in charge saw how disappointed Jim was she let him stand at the start of the bridge
The following day we made our way to Belfast – this was via the Causeway Coastal route – again the scenery was stunning – around every corner was another view to die for. We arrived at our campsite in Larne and spent the afternoon looking around the town and walking along the promenade.
Watching the ferries come into Larne Harbour
Memorial to the first Ulster emigrants who sailed from Larne to Boston
We had dinner at a restaurant called Carriages which was done up like railway carriages - it was great to see these two posters depicting two of my favourite films
We were up early the next morning and caught the train into Belfast. It was snowing! We made our way to the Titanic Museum – what a marvellous place this was and actually one of the best museums I have ever visited. We looked around the galleries and then had a ride (yes, a fairground type ride) around the shipbuilding part.
You can just about make out the carriage in front during the ride around the shipbuilding yard.
Slightly to the left is the place where the Titanic was launched
We then went back to the main reception and joined a tour which last just over an hour – this was with a guide who took us around the building pointing out pieces of interest. Outside is marked on the ground the actual footprint of the Titanic and this is in the exact position she was when launched. It was amazing to stand within these markings and see the actual size – even more amazing when we went upstairs in the museum we could view this layout from the window.
Titanic written in replica panels that were used to build the ship - these panels though were 3 times the size of these shown.
The actual museum structure itself is built with points to resemble the bow of the ship and from the air is the shape of a star – to reflect the fact that the Titanic was a White Star vessel.
The museum was extremely interesting and whilst the story of the Titanic is a sad one the museum celebrates the once great shipbuilding industry of Belfast.
We then visited the SS Nomadic which is the last remaining White Star vessel in the world – this was the “tender” boat that took the passengers from Calais to the Titanic (the Titanic being too big to fit in the Calais dock).
Some famous passengers who travelled on the Nomadic.
During the afternoon we looked around the shops.
The following day saw us again going into Belfast. Here we then caught a City Sightseeing Bus to guide us around. We visited numerous sites including the Falls Road murals, Shankhill Road and peace murals which involved passing through the gates into East Belfast which are still locked every evening. We visited Stormont and Parliament buildings, St. Georges Market, The Old Cathedral Quarter, Crumlin Road gaol, Queens University, Belfast City Hall and the Crown Liquor Saloon.
Two cranes remain from the Harland and Wolff shipyard - called Sampson and Goliath.
Going through the checkpoint as we approached Stormont
Stormont the Northern Ireland Parliament buildings
Queen's University
This structure called The Rise is what is at an interface. An interface being where two communities are next door to each other. This one was by the Falls Road and is commonly known as the "Balls on the Falls"
Peace Murals
We then visited the Old Pump House and Dry Dock where Titantic had her propellers attached and the finishing was done - painting etc.
The size of this dock gives some idea of the scale of Titantic
In the afternoon we visited the Crumlin Road gaol and went a short distance along the tunnel which ran from the gaol to the courthouse – the courthouse now sadly dilapidated. The gaol was built in Victorian times and closed down in 1996. Some very famous people have been in the gaol – including many Irish prime ministers! Again, a very interesting tour with a guide who told us lots of stories and we learned the history of the gaol.
The tunnel through to the courthouse
Execution chamber
An eerie room was the actual execution chamber.
A remaining watchtower
After this we went to the Crown Liquor Saloon which is an outstanding example of a Victorian gin palace. It was extremely crowded downstairs and I was unable to get any photos but have attached some from the internet
We made our way upstairs which was a lot quieter and had our evening meal there.
The following day we left Larne and made our way down the coastal road towards the north side of Dublin. We found a lovely campsite with a pitch right by the beach. The weather was so nice we were able to eat outside.
We attempted to fly our kits on the beach – I have a very simple Pink Pig one which flies at the drop of a hat – Jim a very complicated stunt one which takes a million years to assemble – unfortunately, for once there was no wind and neither kite would fly despite our best attempts.
The following morning we woke early and made our way to Dublin Port to catch the 8am ferry back to Holyhead and eventually home very late that evening.
We had a wonderful Irish Adventure.
