Ireland, Rathlin Island

Awaiting the ferry to Rathlin Island, departing from Ballycastle.

Chilly ride!

 We rode the Puffin Bus 6 miles to the island's end, where the British Royal Society for Protection of Birds provides interpreters to educate about the thousands of birds that nest here.

 Guillemot egg; it had been broken open probably by another bird, and dropped next to the trail.

 I'm still trying to memorize these species.

 If it's white, it's probably a bird.  Or bird droppings.  No baby birds yet that we could see.

 Bird condos.

 We walked the six miles back to the harbor.  Yes, very cold, very strong winds in most places.  But sunny!  What great weather!

 Halfway.  Whoopee.

 We get sweaty on the uphills.  Airing out.

 From Rathlin Island, looking eastward.


Once back on the mainland, in Ballycastle, we order fish and chips to eat in the adjacent park.  One fish serving--about 14 inches long, so big it hung out the sides of the container.  So yummy.

And of course ice cream before driving back to Cullentra House B&B.

Ireland: Navan to Cushendall (Glens of Antrim)

Off the main road, hidden away, is this large portal tomb at Dowth.  Unexcavated--all left to the imagination, aided by the similarity with Knowth.  We stop here before getting on the roadway north, to No. Ireland's east coast.

It is so cool to be in this ancient space.

Also nearby: Monasterboice. Sounds like a spooky site, but it's a quiet cemetery and ancient monastery.

Over the wall and into the grounds.

This is a defensive tower, probably also used for storage.  The round tower's entry used to be 12 or more feet above ground so the inhabitants could get inside if raided and pull in the ladder after themselves, making it harder for invaders to get inside.  The surrounding land has filled in some around the tower as more graves have been added here.

Then we're in the car for a long drive north.
We arrive early evening at our B & B, "Cullentra House," in Cushendall.  Lucky for us, there's a local music festival today in the park in the tiny town.  We enjoy listening to several traditional music groups play, have dinner, and then return to Cullentra House.  The B&B owners are exceptionally hospitable. 

Yes, she sips--and enjoys--her mini-Guinness with a hot meal on a cold day in this small town in Ireland.

Ireland

We arrive Dublin airport in the late afternoon.  It's cold and there's rain in the air.  We are so thrilled to be here again!  We pick up the rental car and drive to Navan to spend 2 nights in the Boyne River area.

Meadow View B & B--generous breakfast fuels us for a day of seeing the neolithic sights around Newgrange.

This well-hidden megalithic portal tomb is down a lane (Boyne valley).  We get the key to open the tomb from a neighbor down the way, and step inside for a spiritual experience.  The tomb is similar to Newgrange, with three principal burial areas arranged around a near-circular section after entering through the portal.

It's thought that the original roof was organic.  It's now a solid roof with grass cover to protect the interior.

 The navigator.

Trim castle.  Lovely tour around the interior.

Town of Trim.

 

Bective Abbey, near Navan.

Bective Abbey