Northern Ireland 2020
After the disappointment of so many trips lost to the deadly Coronavirus. We finally get a week away.There were times we thought it would never happen again. We choose not to go too far.
Northern Ireland has a lot to offer and we were not disappointed.
My friend Gee Bee joined us on the trip.His father was from Northern Ireland.So he knew the area very well.
Northern Ireland has a lot to offer and we were not disappointed.
My friend Gee Bee joined us on the trip.His father was from Northern Ireland.So he knew the area very well.
Belfast
I have had many enjoyable weekends in the capital- Belfast and a few seaside holidays. Love the people,food and find the modern history very interesting. Pints of Smithwicks are cool too.
Also enjoy a pint of Kilkenny.It is similar to Smithwick's Draught.
Also enjoy a pint of Kilkenny.It is similar to Smithwick's Draught.
Sunday 11th October 2020
Our journey began with a short flight from Glasgow to Belfast.We all followed the new rules. Easyjet made sure of that.
It was simple wearing a face mask on a short flight. Long Distance flight-not too sure. Flight lasted only 30mins
Our journey began with a short flight from Glasgow to Belfast.We all followed the new rules. Easyjet made sure of that.
It was simple wearing a face mask on a short flight. Long Distance flight-not too sure. Flight lasted only 30mins
Lunch in Quin`s
Our first stop was to pick up the car hire. We got a cool Kia Sportage. Very nice. After we get the keys we drive of on another great adventure. First pit stop is Dungannon. A couple of drinks in Quins bar. First taste of Irish beer. Guinness is so much better in Ireland than at home.Two gentlemen in the pub made us most welcome.First taste of Irish hospitality.
Cookstown's main street is 1.25 miles long and 135 feet wide, one of the longest, and widest in Ireland.
The first night we stayed in Cookstown. At the Belfast House Inn.
Really good choice.Perfect for an overnight stay.
We had dinner on Sunday at District 80. Best meal of the whole trip.I had roast duck. Brilliant .
Monday 12th
After breakfast me and Mrs B had a walk through the town.Great to see the locals going about their routines.
Really good choice.Perfect for an overnight stay.
We had dinner on Sunday at District 80. Best meal of the whole trip.I had roast duck. Brilliant .
Monday 12th
After breakfast me and Mrs B had a walk through the town.Great to see the locals going about their routines.
Cookstown Main Street
We leave Cookstown and head for the Sperrin mountain area.
Really wild countryside.Miles and miles of barren land.Very scenic.
We stop at Beaghmore Stone circles.
There is a notice board which tells you all about the Neolithic stones.A bit too heavy for me.The historians think there ceremonial circles or burial cairns.
From here we drive to Magilligan`s point. It`s a peninsula that lies at the entrance to Lough Foyle. Views over to the Republic of Ireland. Due to the Car hire rules we were not allowed to cross the border. Shame. Would have liked to.
We stop in Portstewart to get a feel for the place.
Finally we arrive in Portrush. We stayed the night at the Inn on the Coast. We had dinner in the hotel. As always in Ulster the food is perfect.
Really wild countryside.Miles and miles of barren land.Very scenic.
We stop at Beaghmore Stone circles.
There is a notice board which tells you all about the Neolithic stones.A bit too heavy for me.The historians think there ceremonial circles or burial cairns.
From here we drive to Magilligan`s point. It`s a peninsula that lies at the entrance to Lough Foyle. Views over to the Republic of Ireland. Due to the Car hire rules we were not allowed to cross the border. Shame. Would have liked to.
We stop in Portstewart to get a feel for the place.
Finally we arrive in Portrush. We stayed the night at the Inn on the Coast. We had dinner in the hotel. As always in Ulster the food is perfect.
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Sperrin moors
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Tuesday 13th Portrush
Inn on the Coast is half way between Portrush and Portstewart.
So after our Ulster fry we walk to Portstewart. Nice coastal walk.
Gee Bee came and picked up in the centre of the town.
After our walk we decide to do the the Causeway Coastal drive.
We skipped the Giants Causeway.We had visited a few years back.
<<<<You can visit my Giants causeway webpage here.
Inn on the Coast is half way between Portrush and Portstewart.
So after our Ulster fry we walk to Portstewart. Nice coastal walk.
Gee Bee came and picked up in the centre of the town.
After our walk we decide to do the the Causeway Coastal drive.
We skipped the Giants Causeway.We had visited a few years back.
<<<<You can visit my Giants causeway webpage here.
Down the coast to Port Stewart
We drive along the coastline.Great views,beaches and a chance to see the array of seabirds. We even get a bid of history.When we stop at Deluce Castle.
After our stop at the castle we drive to the the viewpoint for Whitepark Bay beach. Stunning views.
We drive the full coast down to Glenarm. Where we stop at a wee pub Coast Road Inn.
After our stop at the castle we drive to the the viewpoint for Whitepark Bay beach. Stunning views.
We drive the full coast down to Glenarm. Where we stop at a wee pub Coast Road Inn.
Deluce castle
The castle was built by the MacQuillan family around 1500.
Runkerry beach
After this we went to Joey`s bar. Ballymoney. Couple of drinks in the Joey`s bar. Joseph Dunlop OBE was a Northern Irish international motorcyclist from Ballymoney. He won 26 titles at the famous Isle of man TT.
Sadly -On Sunday, 2 July 2000, Joey Dunlop was killed while racing in Estonia. Pleasant drive back to Portrush.
Tonight we have dinner in Tides just along from our hotel.
Not bad.
Sadly -On Sunday, 2 July 2000, Joey Dunlop was killed while racing in Estonia. Pleasant drive back to Portrush.
Tonight we have dinner in Tides just along from our hotel.
Not bad.
King of the Roads
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Wednesday 14th Night in Ballycastle
After breakfast we walk into Portrush for our last look.Great views along the coast. Off we go again.This time we head to see the famous Dark Hedges. Game of Thrones fans will recognize them.
In the afternoon we travel round loch Neagh. We stop just along from Antrim for great views across the water.
After that we drove to our digs in Ballycastle.
At night we have dinner in O`Conners on the main street.
After that we drove to our digs in Ballycastle.
At night we have dinner in O`Conners on the main street.
Lough Neagh
As we stand at the front in Ballycastle we lookover to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.We never thought that we would ever be in Ireland looking back over to Scotland.
Looking over to Scotland
Marconi`s house has been bought over and revamped.
Thursday 15th Night in Ballycastle
We spend the whole day in Ballycastle. Lovely walk along the sandy beach to Marconi`s house.
Italian inventor Marconi carried out early radio transmission experiments to Rathlin Island from Ballycastle in 1898.His house, known as Marconi's cottage, sits on the rocks of the North Antrim coast two miles outside Ballycastle. Sadly now sold.
At night we had dinner in the Central Bar.
We spend the whole day in Ballycastle. Lovely walk along the sandy beach to Marconi`s house.
Italian inventor Marconi carried out early radio transmission experiments to Rathlin Island from Ballycastle in 1898.His house, known as Marconi's cottage, sits on the rocks of the North Antrim coast two miles outside Ballycastle. Sadly now sold.
At night we had dinner in the Central Bar.
Early morning Ballycastle
Friday 16th
Homeward bound . Late afternoon departure from Belfast
Arriving in Glasgow at 17.35 On route to the Airport we stop in Antrim main street for a short break. Maddens public bar.
Another great time over in Northern Ireland. Great place,Great people and tons of fun.
It has been the worse year ever so a break away was very much needed.
Homeward bound . Late afternoon departure from Belfast
Arriving in Glasgow at 17.35 On route to the Airport we stop in Antrim main street for a short break. Maddens public bar.
Another great time over in Northern Ireland. Great place,Great people and tons of fun.
It has been the worse year ever so a break away was very much needed.
Portstewart
Port Stewart
Portrush
Portrush
Barrycastle
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Ulster Fry
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Thank you Northern Ireland for such a great break.
