You can’t always have luck on your side. Such is certainly true with the Irish weather. To counter the perfect day I had on Inis Mor, Slieve League was completely hidden from view.
Looks like today is not a great day for further sightseeing. I hunkered down near the less explored Glenveagh National Park for a peaceful night. Glenveagh NP is much less explored by travelers, which makes for a perfect spot to drink coffee, zone out, or meditate. One of my favorite things about traveling through Ireland in early winter is that I can easily find a scenic and quiet spot in the morning to lets me be in the zone, in the present, and empty my mind. Morning coffee by the glen certain helped me to accomplish that.
Clearing worries of mind, I plunge myself back to the populated region of the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. Sticking with the nature theme, I chose to hit some of the nature-inspired spots: Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede.
The number one attraction of Northern Ireland was truly worth all the hype. Another day of angry waves smashing against the basalt column, trying to swallow it whole.
Over the moon just seeing the hexagon pillars, the tourists weren’t afraid. Climbing, walking, taking pictures, all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
These basalt columns are truly wondrous. Nature once again surprised me with its perfect geometric shapes. Volcanic eruptions gave them substance, air and seawater cooled them to form their shape. These hexagon columns are evidence of ancient geographic linkage with Scotland, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Western Norway, and Eastern Greenland.
The most spectacular of this hexagon geographic feature was called the “organ,” similarly formed by slowly cooling of the lava pools.
Between the volcanic eruption, weathering and erosion took place leaving behind the iron oxides which gave the exposing soil their reddish hue.
The local legends told of the story of Fionn mac Cumhaill who was challenged by a giant from Scotland. A bridge was built so the giants could meet to fight. Realizing that his opponent was much bigger, Fionn disguised himself as a baby of himself with his wife’s help. Upon arrival, the Scottish giant thought Fionn would be much bigger since his baby, the disguised Fionn, was much sizable. Scared to lose, the Scottish giant ran away and destroyed the bridge that connected the two lands.
The most interesting part of this story was that the locals realized the geological connection between Northern Ireland and Scotland without the knowledge of volcanic fissure eruption. The geological connection extended to the human connection between Ulster and Western Scotland. Sir Randal Arranagh MacDonnell, first Earl of Antrim who owned Dunluce Castle, was fostered by the Stewards of Isle of Aran in Scotland. Such fostering practice was to strengthen the bonds between different kinsmen of a certain clan. Sir Randall’s Dunluce Castle just sits on those Basalt stones that looked like a bridge between Ulster and Scotland.
Because of its precarious position, Dunluce Castle has often been used as a filming location for shows such as “Game of Thrones.” Local stories even described that the position of the castle was over the edge so much so the kitchen fell into the ocean on one stormy night.
Ancient ruins like the Dunluce Castle are my favorite sites to visit. Amidst the crumbling walls and fractured window frames, one can still imagine what it was like the wine was flowing and the court music bouncing off the walls.
The lack of humans in these pictures shows the advantage of traveling in winter. That also means some of the attractions would be closed because of it. Carrick-a-Rede was unfortunately closed while I was there. However, I did manage to find a good wild camping spot.
Wild camping in Ireland was a true close-to-nature experience. (Please abide by the leave-no-trace behind rules for the sake of everyone.) Nothing beats a quiet sea cliff view with your morning coffee with sheep lazily grazing nearby on a rare Irish sunny day.
