Ireland - Land of the Fairies

Quite a few of you have asked to see photos from our trip to Ireland in May, so I thought I would write a little bit about it for you.

Ireland is a beautiful and magical place. The landscapes range from rolling green grassy hillsides to jagged cliffs, and barren rocky mountain tops. We were there for 10 days, hiking the first half along the Northern Ireland coastline, and touring the second half along the Wild Atlantic Way. I have never visited a place with more friendly people.

Rathlin Island. We started our trip in Ballycastle. We took the ferry across to Rathlin Island which is notable for Puffins! A bus took us to the end of the island to see the Puffins and a neat lighthouse. We walked back about five miles.

Beautiful cobalt blue flowers on Rathlin Island. I don’t know what they are called.

Somewhere between Ballintoy and Giant’s Causeway on the North Coast. Gorse in the background, and the ocean way, way down below.

Dunluce Castle ruins. Perched right on the edge of the cliff, this castle is amazingly well preserved. I really enjoyed hiking up the coast along the cliffs and seeing this up ahead.

I had tea next to this wonderful little fire at “The Wee Cafe” next to Dunluce Castle. The others kept hiking 8 more miles, and I caught an Uber. :D

Coleraine - Castlerock. This castle was inhabited until 1920 and was destroyed in a fire.

One of the guard towers in the wall of The Walled City of Derry (Londonderry).

Slaibh Lieb (pronounced Slieve League) is a mountain on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal. at 596 meters you feel as if you are on the edge of the world. This is a photo about half way up looking down.

Donegal Castle. On the left are very well preserved ruins, and on the right, the tower which has been restored.

Ireland West Farm Stay cottage - Carracastle, Ireland. Our host built this replica of his family’s homestead.While here we toured his peat bog, visited a blacksmith, and a local cheesemaker.

Jeff and Sue at Giant’s Causeway. I have wanted to see it for a very long time. It was a long hard hike, cold and rainy. The stones were wet and slippery. I was not able to walk very far out (but I REALLY wanted to).

Hexagons!

There was a throne at the Abbeyglen Castle hotel. I had to sit in it.

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.

Clifden Castle ruins inside.

Kilcolgan Castle Hotel. We stayed in the tower. Near Galway.

Big cow in tiny barn.

Typical pastoral scene. Gorse on the hillside.

Trinity Library - Dublin.