Northern Ireland’s Natural Beauty
Exploring Northern Ireland’s natural beauty was a trip to remember. Full Irish Breakfast – Sheep – Irish Sea – Sheep – Giants Causeway – Sheep – Royal Portrush Golf Course – Sheep – Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge – Sheep – Baaaaaaah!
We drove from Dublin to Portrush on our last visit to Ireland! The ride takes just under three hours, but the scenery is so beautiful, we stopped frequently to just enjoy the breathtaking vistas, enjoy a nibble to two, and chat with some lovely people.
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We connected with some friends, he grew up in Dublin, and began our journey north very early in the morning with the goal of getting to Portrush by dinner. We stopped at a small hamlet and for breakfast just outside of Dublin. Nothing but the Full Irish Breakfast for the guys – rashers (bacon), black and white pudding (sausage), eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms, beans, and potatoes all fried in butter! On the side is fresh soda bread with more butter and jam, tea and orange juice. So much food! I had beans (which just came from a can – go figure) and toast; not the best vacation breakfast I’ve every had, but fortifiying. The guys were stuffed!
We skirted Belfast and made our way up the coast, stopping frequently to take in the beautiful seashore along the Irish Sea, Like Tweed’s Port Carnfunnock Bay Slipway.
Carrickfergus
We stopped for lunch in Carrickfergus on the shore of Belfast Lough. After lunch we wandered around Carrickfergus Castle and stumbled upon the towns Christmas celebration. We could hear loud music and followed the sound. The street fair was fun and was a perfect diversion from the driving.
We reached our designation – the Inn on the Coast. It is a sweet little hotel with a view of the Atlantic. The staff was so nice and the rooms were comfy. We headed to the bar and restaurant for dinner, it was exactly what you would expect, cozy with a roaring fire, lots of Guinness and hearty entrees. After a leasurely dinner, we got in a few games of pool.
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
The morning brought lots of black ice. The parking lot was a skating rink, but we ventured out anyway. Off to the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge first. We climbed the rocky mountainside along the Atlantic towards the bridge to take you to the outcrop. The experience was exhilarating and unnerving at the same time.
The Giants Causeway
Our next stop was The Giants Causeway. The hike from the parking lot seemed much shorter than it was, because the scenery was spectacular. Chris was climbing around the rocks like he was 12 years old. I was shocked by his agility, which was spurred on by his excitement at the amazing view.
We swung by the Royal Portrush Golf Cub to get a peak at a few of the golf holes. The 148th Open (British Open) will be played there in July 2019. I don’t know where all these people will stay – Portrush is not that big! I’m sure they will be bussing them in from all over.
Back to Dublin
With our siteseeing complete – we husted back to Dublin to meet Chris’ cousin for dinner and a little family catch up time.
The people of Northern Ireland just absorb you into their life, you feel like you have always belonged and can stay forever. Northern Ireland’s natural beauty will hang in my memory.
Wish you were having a Guinness? Check out this post about making a Baby Guinness!
Looks like fun! I’ve only ever been to Dublin, but I hope to make it back over there to explore more of Ireland and actually visit Northern Ireland.
Thank you for sharing your journey to Dublin. I would love to see it sometime and take a trek on that rope bridge!
It looks like an amazing adventure! Thank you for sharing!
We’re hoping to visit Ireland in the fall. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
This looks so spectacular! We have an Ireland trip hopefully planned in the next couple of years.
What an amazing place to visit…my bucket list is full and this is at the top of it! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and you awesome journey!
I cannot wait to go back to Ireland and explore Northern Ireland!
Nice! I’ve been to Ireland, but not Northern Ireland. Would love to go!
The rope bridge looks so cool! What a great adventure!
wow that snowman is huge! I’ll probably go there just to see that 🤣
Oh well, thanks for sharing about Carrickfergus. I instantly remembered the name cause I had wondered what it meant. A German band Subway to Sally has a song titled Carrickfergus. And, I couldn’t find the translation until a friend informed me it was a town in Ireland.
I cannot wait to go to Ireland. The scenery looks lovely!
Ireland looks like such a ruggedly beautiful country. Love to visit there someday!
This is on my bucket list!! Great pictures!
Looks amazing! I have only been to Dublin, can’t wait to go back to Ireland and visit the rest of the county.
Although it looks super cold, this looks like a great place to visit. Perhaps in the summer months.
How fun! Gosh you have me wanting a Full English! My husband is from the UK so we either eat that or a full Scottish, but I’ve never had a full Irish with white pudding! Yum!
Thank you for the tips- I’ve only been to Dublin, and need to see more of Ireland!
It’s my husband’s dream to go to Ireland someday. We both have ancestors from Ireland. It would be fun to find out if any of our extended family is still there. What were you drinking in the picture in the morning? Was it a coffee drink?
What a cool road trip! I’d love to head up the coast of Ireland. The scenery does look beautiful. What a great trip!
Ireland is on my travel bucket list. I can’t wait to go!
The pictures look beautiful and I love accidentally coming upon a town’s celebration while traveling.
ireland is on my list! so beautiful!
Beautiful!
I can’t wait to go to Ireland someday. I used to work with a number of Irish immigrants and they were some of the best people I knew.
We have some Irish heritage and my mother has been talking with family we have over there. My uncle has gone to visit Ireland several times (and I’m soooo jealous). Visiting Ireland has always been on my bucket list, near the very top. This just made me want to go even more.
This looks like a beautiful place I’d love to visit some day. Thank you for sharing the pictures are gorgeous