We have been really lucky with the weather during our time here. While it’s generally been regarded as an awful summer full of cold and rain, whenever we’ve ventured out to explore, it seemed that the skies magically opened up for the sun to guide our way.
That was the truth, until we drove the Causeway Coast Route in Northern Ireland, and we were under a shroud of clouds and mist the entire time. At first, we were keen on the cool, mystical quality it gave the lush and rugged coastline. But then we were just cold.
The Giants Causeway was Irelands first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. There are 40,000 columns of interlocking basalt, much of it in perfect hexagons.
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a popular tourist attraction. It connects the mainland to Carrick Island, is 20 metres long and 30 metres high, and is thought to once have been used by fisherman.
(Pete is a little nervous of heights).
View of the mainland from the other side.
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Oh wow! That rope bridge would have terrified me…looks like an awesome place, though. John has been there but I missed out =(
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It was kind of cool, but I’ve seen scarier bridges in Colombia – ha! There was also swarms of tourists that really took away from the experience, would probably have preferred to be there in the off season!
Your photos are always amazing. I don’t think I would have made it over that rope bridge. You guys are very brave.
Eh, the bridge was nothing. Been on way scarier ones in South America with nothing to hold onto on the sides…
I love how you’re so blase about the sketchy bridges in South America. Ha. I’m sure that makes your mom feel better!
Love the photos, can you adopt me please?
Absolutely gorgeous. I agree with one of the previous posters. Your photos are amazing. However, I bet reality was even more spectacular.
Thanks Joy! When I could peer out from under my rain jacket – there were some pretty spectacular sights!
Literally just got back…and it was cold and windy..and the masses of tour buses just filled the place…off season it would be on any return! But such a beautiful coastline…. Also Ballycastle..what is going on there!!!
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Oh yes, the amount of people there was incredible. The whole bridge thing was kind of cool…but with all the people lined up on either side, waiting to go, it really took away from the “coolness” of it…
Gosh, that looks cool. Thank you, once again, to volcanoes 🙂
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You and your love affair with volcanoes… 🙂
I was just at the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge one week ago. The Causeway was so otherworldly and the rope bridge was scary, but fun. It was raining heavy when I was on the other side of the bridge and the grass was slick.
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Perhaps we passed you on the bridge…might have been there the same time!
The rope bridge is terrifying! I’m deathly afraid of falling and would never have made it. I love to zip-line, but the first time I went each line was connected by terrifying hanging bridges. It almost ruined the whole thing for me!
Pete was pretty freaked out, he doesn’t like that kind of stuff at all either! It was pretty short…not enough time to get really scared! 🙂
Purrrty pics! Ireland looks gorgeous!
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..How Much Does It Cost to Travel Ecuador (and other tidbits)
We got more purty stuff to come! Ireland is very photogenic!
Aaahhhhhhhhhhh Such a sketchy bridge!
I have always wanted to visit the giants causeway, I’ve only spent 3 days in Ireland, you two are making me want to move back there now! 🙂
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Ya gotta do it! 3 days ain’t near enough! 🙂
It is so beautiful! I can totally undestand Pete’s fear, I cried like a baby last time I had to cross something like that. Great photos 😉
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Oh boy! No tears from Pete yet on these sorts of things…just sweaty palms! 🙂
Oh that would have been so much fun! I love rickety (and non-rickety) bridges… 🙂
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..Travel Photo of the Week — Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
Me too, I’m sure that Thailand must have its share of the rickety type?
It’s mostly rickety-shaws… 🙂
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I cannot imagine taking a hand off the rope to snap that photo! haha, wow. These photos are gorgeous, I love the white in the cliffs.
it was nothing to her, she’s quite good when it comes to heights. She gets close to cliff sides etc. Although we get great shots, it freaks the shit out of me when she does it…
If this doesn’t make people want to go to Northern Ireland, IDK what will. I submitted this on reddit.com also since I think you did a great job on the photos. Hope it helps you out!
Cheers Andrew. I might have to pick your brain on how to use reddit. I would certainly like to return the favor!
Ireland is so insanely beautiful. What gorgeous photos! It would’ve taken me a lot of courage (and maybe a few shots) to cross that bridge though lol!
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Ah – it’s over so quickly as it’s not that far! And then you just get to line up on the other side to come back over! 🙂
What a great photo essay! You’ve captured a wide range of perspectives but my favourite shot – by far – is the close-up shot walking along the bridge.
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Thanks! That shot was tough to take…Pete was moving quickly across the bridge (scaredy cat), and I had one hand on the rope!
This is awesome! I didn’t make it here when I was in Ireland. But that rope bridge looks like a lot of fun!
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The rope bridge was pretty cool. Too overcrowded (like so many other places in Ireland!) but still cool.
I always see photos of the Causeway and it makes me want to see Ireland more and more. Great photos!
Thanks Cornelius. It’s easy to fall in love with the scenery in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
omg… i wouldnt be able to cross that bridge!!!
Sure you would! It’s over before you know it!
I love photo posts … they’re so inspiring. I bet the views were worth the nervousness of crossing that bridge!
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Thanks Rachelle! Come back every Friday, we always have photo posts!
I didn’t get to see Northern Ireland when I visited the country last summer. I hope to get there again and explore Western and Northern Ireland. Nice photos!
Northern Ireland was a real highlight of our time there. Hope you make it!
how gorgeous! although I can’t say i’d feel too thrilled with crossing that crazy bridge!:)
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I did that!!! It was awesome. Great photos. Do they still charge money to go across that tiny bridge?
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They do. I believe it was 6 quid each? I’m not sure that I consider it worth it….it was kinda cool…but I’ve been on scarier bridges in South America! 🙂
Wow! Great shots! Would be great to add this post to our FB wall! http://www.facebook.com/GiantsCausewayNationalTrust
Feel free to add it!