Our plan today was to visit Giant's Causeway, Belfast, and then to the B&B near Newgrange.
Early birds (Dad, Mom and Steven) visited Dunluce Castle in early morning. The castle is only a short drive from our B&B.
Steven sitting on the stone wall. It was a cloudy day. So every thing is either green (grass) or gray (Irish Sea).
Mom in front of the castle entrance. The visitor center was closed so could not get into the castle. But we could walk around the outside. No other people around, it was too early!
Our second destination of the day was the famous Giant's Causeway. There are legends behind the interesting basalt columns - the giant Finn MacCool laid the causeway so he could visit his lady friend?
Giant's Causeway is part of the National Trust. The admission was free for the members. (We joined as a family member when Dad, Mom, and Steven visited Newton's house in spring).
A wonderful view from the shore.
Steven McCool was walking to Scotland to see his lady lover?
This shape of the column was like the shape of the 20p coin. Dad bought a small book about the science of the formation of these interesting columns.
The Ireland coast is incredible. This picture was taken when we were on the way to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It is a National Trust site. Again, we enjoyed free admission.
Samantha walking on the rope bridge.
Someone was getting a good exercise. Dad took the picture from the cliff way above.
On the way back. From the parking lot (or car park as Brits call) to the bridge was about 1.5 km - not too bad.
Again, every thing is green and gray.
A few nice looking Irish cows.
On the way to Belfast we tried to visit a few interesting places. It took us a long time to find this fall. (Karen found it from the tour book.) It was small so Dad said we shouldn't have come, but Mom liked it. (Dad needs to find the name of the fall and enter here.)
Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle built in 1177. Inside the castle, we watched a cartoon about its history (the besieges of the castle). There were people showing things people did in the castle. We all tried out archery. Dad told the guy that he would use his right hand. After one try, the guy asked Dad to switch to his left hand! How can he tell?
Samantha's turn.
Mom and Steven. You need to be really strong to pull the bow.
A giant chess board in the castle.
The castle commanded Belfast Lough. It was of strategic importance.
Afternoon sun made the castle so pretty.
Belfast downtown has many impressive building. There is one building with a big copper dome. Titanic was built in the shipyard in Belfast. We did not find time to see all of that. Dad's adviser at Northwestern, Prof. Wilson went to Queen's University, Belfast. Dad said that we have to go and take a look at the university. We arrived at the campus in the late afternoon/early evening. After a short tour, we wend to a Chinese restaurant and a Starbucks near the campus, then we headed south toward Dublin.
The court yard surrounded by the handsome red brick buildings at Queen's University.
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