All we are saying, is give peace a chance (John Lennon)

Thursday 28^th May

We left Derry early as we wanted to go to the Giant’s Causeway and perhaps the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before driving to Belfast. We really enjoyed Derry, actually we have loved everywhere we have been, but Derry has had a powerful effect on us. We feel like Derry is trying really hard to make Peace work, and there is a palpable anxiety and a lot of hope surrounding the place. I hope the peace continues, as it is a great town.

Along the road The Causeway Coastal Road, no longer on the Wild Atlantic Way, we saw a sign to Mussenden Temple. High up on a cliff was perched a most interesting building, a circular building with a round top. Intriguing. The weather was sunny and bright, so we stopped. 

By the time we parked the car and bought the tickets, the rain and hail pelted down, so we took refuge in the ticket seller’s hut. The young ticket seller tried really hard to sell us national trust membership, and if the rain had continued, we probably would have. But the rain stopped and we trudged across the paddocks, avoiding the sheep poo, to the Temple. 

It was built in 1722 as the library in the summer residence of the Bishop Earl Frederick Hervey. He was the bishop of Derry, and had a huge influence in Derry at the time. He also had a LOT of MONEY. The Temple was perched on the cliff, and a fire was continually lit in the basement to keep the books dry. 

When it was first built, a horse and carriage could be driven around it, now you can’t walk around, for fear of falling over the edge. It may not be too long before it topples over the edge.

The original house was enormous and was lived in until 1944. It is now a ruin. It seems such a shame for such a magnificent building to be abandoned and left to rot.

We drove along the beautiful coastal road and arrived at the Giants Causeway. There is a magnificent Visitors Centre and free audio guides, after you pay the entry and parking. There is a long walk down to the causeway, and really corny, although informative, narration on the audio guide.

 The rocks are spectacular, but it was very windy and by the time we got to the Organ Pipes area, the vertical,  hexagonal rocks near the water’s edge, and clambered out, the guard began blowing his whistle to get everyone back to safety. 

So we had to scramble back up and over the rocky peaks, hoping that we would not get blown off. I don’t think I have ever felt such strong winds, literally blowing us sideways.

We drove onto the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Again, beautiful clear sunshine, just a light breeze, until we got to halfway down the long, winding mile long path and then it started raining and blowing a gale.

 Nevertheless, we got to the bridge and swayed across from the mainland to a tiny little island. The rope bridge was originally used by fishermen and in those days, it had just one rope on one side. We held on tight with both hands to ropes on either side.

We drove on to Belfast, returning the car to the International Airport, 20 miles (UK) out of town. The attendant (Big Al) said we could return it to the City Airport, as it is much closer in and won’t cost much for the cab fare to our hotel. The car has been fantastic, a Renault Fluence, and it we have covered 1760 kilometres. We have travelled from the most easterly point of Ireland (Dublin) to the southernmost tip (Mizen Head) to the west (Ring of Kerry) and now to almost the most northern point (Giant’s Causeway), the length and breadth of Ireland. And still so much more to see and do.

We had dinner in a bar in the centre of Belfast, had a couple of beers and Guinness, ate Boxty (potato pancake) and an Irish beef burger, washed down with an Irish coffee. It’s been another big day!