Ireland

Trying Not to Dwell on Their Troubles

22/05/09 11:27

Locals hang out by the newsstand in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

By Reb Stevenson
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND –
A newspaper emblazoned with the headline “Streets of Fire” is not the ideal introduction to a city that is trying to extinguish a bad reputation.
But there it is - picture of flames and all – near the reception desk at my hotel in Belfast.
Gulp.
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Tags: Belfast, Troubles, Ireland, Northern, Fitzwilliam, Merchant, Snow Patrol, Hotel , Van Morrison, Luxury, Pubs, Ulster

White Knuckling at Carrick-a-Rede

08/04/09 05:32

Does this picture of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge get you all jelly-kneed? If you think it’s bad now as it dangles 30m above the sea in Northern Ireland, get a load of this: at one time the bridge only had a guard rope on one side!!! For 350 years, fisherman have used a bridge here to access the best place to catch migrating salmon on Carrick Island, and I suppose they figured “bah, why waste rope?”

It’s a lovely 1km walk along the blustery coastline to reach the bridge. If you enjoy 10,000 shades of green, dramatic cliffs and noisy gulls, you’ll be in heaven.

Luckily, with ropes on either side, the fear factor is significantly reduced these days. Mind you, when the wind swoops in and greets the bridge with a mighty blast, it does make you wonder whether YOU’LL be the next thing that’s fished out of the salty depths.

Tags: Carrick-a-Rede, Rope, Bridge, Ireland, Northern, Fishermen, Ulster, Causeway, Reb, Rebeccca, Stevenson

The Friendly Giant's Causeway

05/04/09 15:28

What a change from last week! I’ve gone from the pillowy-soft hills of Southern England to the jagged rocks of Northern Ireland.
The Giant’s Causeway was crawling with average-sized folk this afternoon. And, I must say, this unique natural phenomenon does have HUGE appeal.
Those bizarre, hexagonal basalt columns are a result of ancient volcanic eruptions.

Part of the thrill was accessing the site from a rather dramatic cliff top footpath with no guardrails. Then, once you’re down on the rocks, you can scamper anywhere you like. However, my guide reported that people (of the idiotic variety) do get swept away by rogue waves from time to time. The rule of Tom Thumb: do not venture too close to the water unless you really are a giant. A morbidly obese giant.
(Traveller’s Tip: The site is near the town of Bushmills, which boasts a quirky Inn with nooks and fireplaces and mashed potatoes and all that nice cosy stuff.)

Tags: Ireland, Northern, Antrim, Ulster, Belfast, Giants Causeway, Basalt, Reb, Rebecca , Stevenson