Around the World in 180 Days - Part 3

Tripoto
4th Jul 2018
Day 80

After a brief stopover in London we fly to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Our first excursion is to walk The Gobbins, a cliff walk first opened as a tourist attraction in 1902. It has recently been refurbished. A guide gives an entertaining commentary as we climb.

Photo of The Gobbins, Gobbins Road, Larne, UK by Annie Benzie

Next day we take the ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island. As we approach the dock we are greeted by a pod of dolphins. Much to the delight of all the boat circles around as they leap and frolic in the bow waves. It's not often you have the chance to get so close to these beautiful creatures!

Photo of The Gobbins, Gobbins Road, Larne, UK by Annie Benzie
Day 81

We walk 2 hours to the bird sanctuary at the north end of this spectacular island and see nesting puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars and guillemots. A rapid fire, stand up comedian bus driver takes us to visit the resident seal colony. Then we drink Guinness in the bar till it is time to ferry back.

Photo of Rathlin Island, Ballycastle, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Rathlin Island, Ballycastle, UK by Annie Benzie

Next day we climb Slemish near Ballymena. A short but steep climb rewarded by extensive views across the Braid Valley.

Photo of Rathlin Island, Ballycastle, UK by Annie Benzie
Day 82
Photo of Slemish, Ballymena, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Slemish, Ballymena, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Slemish, Ballymena, UK by Annie Benzie
Day 83
Photo of Whitehead, Carrickfergus, UK by Annie Benzie

After a day exploring Whitehead we catch a train to Dublin and stay at the beautifully restored Georgian Ariel House.

Photo of Whitehead, Carrickfergus, UK by Annie Benzie
Day 84

We visit the National Gallery, the museum and the Book of Kells. And partake of a couple more Guinness in Temple Bar.

Photo of Ariel House, Landsdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Photo of National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, Ireland by Annie Benzie

Next day we hire a car and set off on a mini road trip. The first night we get to Glendalough. Almost everywhere you look in Ireland you see a postcard!

Photo of National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Day 85
Photo of Around the World in 180 Days - Part 3 by Annie Benzie
Photo of Around the World in 180 Days - Part 3 by Annie Benzie

In the morning we visit the Handweaving Mill at Avoca and take the car ferry across the River Barrow to Passage East. We then drive on to Waterford and see the remnants of the viking occupation.

Photo of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Day 86
Photo of Avoca, County Wicklow, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Photo of Passage East, County Waterford, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Photo of Waterford City, County Waterford, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Day 87

Next day we head back up the coast, drop the car off in Dublin and catch the train back to Belfast.

Photo of Waterford, Ireland by Annie Benzie
Day 88

Our last day in Whitehead we visit the fabulous Whitehead Railway Museum. We come full circle as once again we hear about The Gobbins, the brainchild of railway engineer, Berkeley Deane Wise and see the impressive works with an expert guide.

Photo of Whitehead Railway Museum, Castleview Road, Whitehead, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Whitehead Railway Museum, Castleview Road, Whitehead, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Whitehead Railway Museum, Castleview Road, Whitehead, UK by Annie Benzie
Photo of Whitehead Railway Museum, Castleview Road, Whitehead, UK by Annie Benzie