For my birthday this past weekend, we went on a weekend trip to Northern Ireland. It was a bit chilly up there, but otherwise not too bad. Weather did start rolling in on Sunday afternoon when we decided to head back home. We saw some very beautiful things and had a really good time!
Dunluce Castle - first built in the 1300s - it sits on the edge of a basalt outcropping and is accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland.
inside the guest housing just above the castle
You can see the bridge we walked over to get to the castle.
walking up the stairs in one of the round towers of the castle
Jack shooting at the enemy from inside one of the round towers
Luke's taken over the other opening
We were able to walk down to the bottom of the cliff that the castle sits on. Here is the only natural landing boats could use, a small sea cave.
Kate was in charge of Bobby the Bear over the weekend. She was to take pictures of her and Bobby doing things. So here she is with Bobby outside of Dunluce Castle.
After visiting Dunluce Castle, we went to the Bushmills Distillery. Children under the age of 8 were not allowed on the tour, so the kids and I enjoyed some scones in the café while waiting on Jimmy who did go on the tour.
Jimmy really enjoyed the tour because they actually produce all of their products on this site.
Giant's Causeway
Sarah & Luke
"Happy Birthday, Mommy!"
We stayed at a B&B that evening and the lady recommended "The Smugglers Inn" for dinner. It was a cozy place all decorated for Christmas. We sat in the dining area where we had the place all to ourselves. We had such a good time! This is a picture of Jimmy drinking a Guinness in the county we were in. I think he and some of his co-workers have decided to see if they could have a Guinness in every county of Ireland before they leave. I think there are 32 counties and he's been able to mark 4 off his list so far.
"This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their home, Gracehill House. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become known as the Dark Hedges." It "is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland."
Dunseverick Castle - this was the site of a royal stronghold dating back to the Iron Age, (around 500 B.C.). St. Patrick reputedly visited the castle in the 5th century. The remains above are from a 16th century tower.
Whitepark Bay
Jack again is mesmerized. I love watching these moments!
There were no seashells on this beach, but there were plenty of rocks to choose from!
The designs in the sand were beautiful!
And of course the rocks were too heavy to carry, so Mom got to carry them!
And there's our Luke!
Sheep's Island at Carrick-a-Rede
Fishermen have been building bridges from the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede for over 350 years. It was mainly used during the salmon season, although now there are not enough salmon left for there to be a season for them. The bridge "spans 20 metres (66 ft) and is 30 metres (98 ft) above the rocks below."
Jimmy held onto Kate and Luke's hands. When we got to the other side, Kate said, "Dad, my hand hurts!"
the mainland
Part of the island was closed (not sure why), but one of the workers told the kids that that area was known as "Sleigh Land" and they were getting it ready for Santa and his reindeer to stop and take a break on Christmas Eve!
The bridge wasn't busy at all that day, so the guy that worked there, took our camera and took several pictures of us walking back across the bridge. I didn't worry too much about Jack and was able to enjoy it a little bit more on the way back over.
We made it! (and Luke and Kate's hands were still attached to their arms! ha!)
Once we were back across, I suggested to Jimmy that he go back over it again and see if he liked it better when he didn't have to hold on to a kid. He did! It was pretty cool!
This picture Jimmy took near the parking lot. You can see how high up the bridge is!
