Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway and Ballygally

Tuesday, July 11

Our last full day in Ireland. Up and out on the road to northern Ireland right after breakfast. Up to Londonderry after mailing some past cards. The roads were great, the scenery was beautiful, and we got to the Giant’s Causeway before noon. Took the shuttle back forth from the tourist center. No was to describe the place. Just look at the pictures! We saw “Arizona” there–the young teacher from Prescott who did the RIng of Kerry tour when we did.

Irish cattle drive

The drive from the Causeway to Ballygally was “scenic,” with roads much better than many we’ve driven. Stopped a lot for pictures and leg-stretching. Sheep, cows, mountains, beaches–sandy and rocky, both–and altogether a pleasant day. Along the way we decided to stop for a look at Dunsverick castle. Or a lok at the ruins, at least. By this time we were accustomed to sheep and cattle on the road, but leaving the Dunseverick parking lot was the first time we had run into a cattle drive on the highway. I especially liked the  Irish cowboy on a three-wheeler.

The day was topped off by the hotel, and walk on the beach, a beautiful garden, very good dinner, and a room in the “tower”–the old castle to which this hotel is appended. Altogether a wonderful ending to our Irish holiday.

7-11-06

Wednesday night we spent in Ballygally Castle. We had a room in the “tower” and it was luxurious–except for the bed, which was not great. BUT–across the road in this tiny village was a sandy-rocky beach where we enjoyed walking and watching birds. We say sea anemones growing on rocks, and I picked up lots of sea glass.

We ate in the castle restaurant and enjoyed walking in the grounds, with beautiful roses, a trout stream and “polished” grounds.

The next morning we drove to Dublin, flew to Edinburgh. Goodbye to Ireland.