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Beyond Belfast

Carrick and the Giant's Causeway

By Carl Fisher

July 25^th, 2017

Treking

Belfast was nice, but it was only a quick stopover on our way North. I had heard the "Giant's Causeway" was a sight to behold, or at least worth seeing if you were in the neighborhood. It just so happened that we were. But first, Carrick-A-Rede was calling. It consisted of a rope bridge connecting the mainland to Carrick Island. There was apparently some good fishing to be had back in the day. I didn't see any fishermen, but there sure were plenty of birds (and tourists). It was hard to tell who were the more plentiful.

the Heights

The scenery was quite spectacular and well worth the short walk to get there. I was a little disappointed that we couldn't go right to the center of the island. Still, there was plenty to see.

there be giants

The approach to the steps was almost as interesting as the steps themselves. There were busloads of people, but I was thankful that we were not there at the peak of the season. I'm sure they would have been insufferable and would have blotted out the scenery.

not so baby steps

They looked almost deliberate. While the forces of nature dictated how things would finally end up, it appeared as if there might have been some form of divine intervention in the whole process. It was all quite impressive. It must have been the off season for giants though. Didn't see a one.

well ventilated traditional irish dwellings

I was hoping to at least see a few glimpses of Game of Thrones worthy castles, but most of what I saw was disappointing. Many of them no longer had roofs. Not much of a place for games to be played. At least the scones were melt in your mouth buttery at the Wee Cottage Cafe, which made the extra few miles out of our way well worth the trip.