Northern Ireland Trip (1) Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and is located in the northeast of the island of Ireland. It boasts stunning natural scenery and a rich cultural heritage. Belfast is the economic and cultural center of the region, known for its historic shipbuilding industry and vibrant arts scene. Besides, the famous natural attractions here include the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, both of which are quite unique and ideal for exploring natural wonders and enjoying cultural experiences.

Arrival in Northern Ireland

We took a bus to Belfast yesterday, and it only takes about 2.5 hours to get to Belfast from Dublin, which is closer than traveling to Galway. Although Northern Ireland is connected to Ireland, it belongs to the United Kingdom. So, the currency used is the British pound instead of the euro, and the streets are filled with a British atmosphere. No border inspection, and no need to check passports or go through customs.

When we woke up in the morning, everyone enjoyed a wonderful English breakfast before heading out to see where to go. However, it started raining outside, and we initially thought the light rain wouldn’t stop us from taking the bus to Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Bridge. But later, as the wind and rain got heavy, we had to change our plans and decided to spend £25 to join a day tour.

Magheramorne Castle

The first stop on our tour was Magheramorne, there is an isolated castle, which appeared a bit bleak with dead trees and rain. Due to my poor English listening skills, I couldn’t understand what the tour guide was saying, but I roughly understood it as a film location. The scenery in Northern Ireland is similar to Ireland, with grassland, and flocks of sheep everywhere, the weather is always not good in winter.

Cushendun Caves

These caves were formed about 400 million years ago through erosion and weathering, and the surrounding environment is beautiful. They also attract many fans and tourists because they are one of the filming locations for the TV series Game of Thrones. During our visit, there were two super cute dogs who kept circling around us, probably belonging to local residents🐕

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

This is considered one of the most thrilling attractions in Northern Ireland, located east of Ballintoy on the North Antrim Coast. This rope bridge connects to a small island, offering stunning views of the surrounding scenery and even distant views of Rathlin Island and the magnificent Scottish landscape.

During our walking through the bridge, my friend naughty walked reverse on the bridge and was shouted loudly by a security guard. However, the rope bridge wasn’t as scary as imagined because a security guard was nearby, and the bridge was much more stable than expected. Importantly, enjoying the surrounding natural beauty was a real pleasure.

It is said that this rope bridge has a history of 300 years. At that time, fishermen built the bridge to reach the island to catch salmon, so fishing boats and nets can still be seen nearby. The rope bridge has been rebuilt several times, and the original construction is said to have been pioneered by a professional rope descent athlete who slid down the cliff surface, circled to the front of the cliff when the tide went out, and then climbed up from the other side. Nowadays, this bridge has become a seasonal challenge for fearless tourists. The road to the rope bridge is somewhat remote, but the beautiful scenery and unique adventure experience make it worth a visit.

Ballintoy Harbour

Before heading to the Giant’s Causeway, we came to Ballintoy Harbour first, which features unique limestone rocks and azure waters and maintains the traditional fishing village charm. Just be careful not to get splashed by the waves when taking photos.

Giant’s Causeway

Finally, we arrived at the highlight of the trip, Northern Ireland’s most famous Giant’s Causeway!!!

The Giant’s Causeway consists of about 40,000 basalt columns, which present a natural hexagonal structure, giving the illusion of artificial carving. They are the result of volcanic eruptions and cooling about 60 million years ago, a remarkable creation of nature and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its name is based on the local legend: the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill built the causeway to cross the sea to confront the Scottish giant.

The Dark Hedges

The day tour was coming to an end, and our last stop was The Dark Hedges, one of the most beautiful tree tunnels in the world. These intertwined beech trees create a dreamlike scene, a popular location for wedding photography and film shoots. However, we visited during winter and in the evening, which made the atmosphere a bit eerie…

After the day tour ended, we returned to Belfast. The most unforgettable sights of this trip to Northern Ireland were the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Although the weather was not great, it is typical Irish weather. If you are lucky to be here on a sunny day, seize the opportunity to explore this beautiful land!

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