Places to Visit Along Northern Irelands Antrim Close, Its History and Its Legends

Any one visiting Northern Ireland cannot go there with out visiting the famous Antrim coast. It is known for it's out standing beauty, breath taking scenery and extensive ruins. A few places of historic interest and out standing beauty there are:

DUNLUCE CASTLE
The white rocks beneath are majestically crowned by Dunluce castle. It is joined to the mainland by an arched walkway and underneath the dazzling white rocks lies the mermaids cave. Dunluce Castle (Dun Lios) in Irish, is translated as the Fairy fort. It is the most breathtaking and most extensive Castle ruin in Northern Ireland. As you approach the ruin, you nearly need to pinch yourself, as on first seeing it, it looks like something from a fantasy story scene. You are just waiting for the fairies and leprechauns to appear. It is believed to have been built on top of a medieval fort, where it's history can be traced back to the early Christians and Vikings. Around the 13th century, the Earl of Ulster Richard De burgh first built Dunluce castle on top of the ruins of the old fort. Records are not precise, but the Castle was lived in over many years by the McQuillen family. It was taken by force from them by a man named Sorley bay Mac Donnel in 1565.

In 1584, Sorley bay Mac Donnel, discovered treasures from the shipwrecked boat 'Girona' from the Spanish Armada. The treasures where washed up a few miles away just off the Giants causeway. He used these riches to modernize his Castle. Years later in the early 1600,s the Earl and Countess of Antrim, took up residence at Dunluce Castle. They further decorated the Castle with Gifts from the Queen and put up breathtaking paintings of the zodiac. Soon Dunluce Castle was one of the finest, most beautiful Castles in all medieval Europe.

A thriving village of merchants, settlers and Irishmen soon rose around the castle, and Dunluce became an important centre of commerce. In 1639, part of the castle and its kitchens broke off and plunged to the sea. Seven cooks plummeted to their deaths. With the tragic loss off their staff the Countess persuaded the Earl to leave and move nearby. Two years later it was invaded and the surrounding village burnt down.

By 1690, Dunluce Castle was deserted. During the years of abandonment many visitors have came and went, making claims the Castle is haunted, by ghosts, giants, dwarfs and other mythological creatures. It is hard to believe the castle is haunted as it looks so enchanting and beautiful.A fairy tale Castle is a must to see.

THE GIANTS CAUSEWAY

As you look down towards the sea, it is easy to understand why the Giants causeway has been called the 8th wonder of the world. The strange beauty of the place is enough to take even the most hardened persons breath away. Starting at the foot of a cliff and edging downwards towards the Irish Sea, there are polygonal stones, gray, but inviting you to come closer. This is really a place of wonder, of legend. A must see place for anyone.

The causeway is made up of 40,000 polygonal columns of basalt, forming stepping stones, some of which are forty foot high. They are tightly placed together, and most of them are hexagonal in shape, but some have four, five, seven and eight sides. The formations were created as a result of volcanic activity around 50 million years age. As the molten lava hit the sea water and the air, it quickly cooled forming these strange columns.

Folk law has it that the causeway was built by an Ulster Giant - Finn McCool. Finn was said in one legend (there is a few) to be in love with a lady giant who lived in Scotland on the Island called Staffa, and that the causeway was built to bring her to Ulster. Interestingly, there is similar stones on Staffas coastline, and Scotland was once much closer than today.

The Bishop of Derry first recorded the causeways existence around 1692. The coast road leading to the causeway was only built in the 1830,s but early travelers would revive themselves of whiskey at Bushmills. There is more to the causeway than the basalt pillars. A five mile walk discovers the site of the 'girona' a Spanish Armada ship, that was shipwrecked in 1588 by the ragged rocks and rough sea surrounding the causeway.

The National trust now owns the site and its the only 'World Heritage site. The causeway of the Giants and it being the 8th wonder of the world, is a very sound one.

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-rede rope bridge is one of Northern Ireland's best loved attractions. The rope bridge has been used for around 350 years. There is an 80 foot drop down from it and it is not for the faint hearted. Fishermen used it to cross to Rocky Island as the rough sea made it too difficult by boat. They used to catch Salmon in this area, but sadly there is no Salmon around this coast now. It is now used for a tourist attraction and is a great bird spotting Island with breathtaking scenery.

White Park Bay

White park Bay is a sandy golden stretch of beautiful white sand and beautiful clear blue water. The first settlers in Ireland landed hear by boat. Three passage tombs stand on the highest point of surrounding hills, over looking the bay. One is an Druids alter. The area is of out standing beauty, breathtaking and warming. A must to visit and explore.

The Old distillery at Bushmills

Just two miles from the giants causeway the Bushmills distillery lies in another area of out standing beauty. It is rich in history. It claims to be the oldest distillery in the world, operating from around 1608 and is 400 years old this year. King Henry II troops drank Bushmills 400 years ago and it was licensed in 1608 by King James I. A great place to visit for a refreshment or just to take in the picturesque scenery.

Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast is soaked in history and is one of the most breathtaking places in the whole of Europe, perhaps the world. Only a visit there can reveal the true and Natural beauty of it wonderful, historical picturesque coastline.