Top Ten Vacation Spots - Northern Irelands Antrim Coast

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. It certainly is on my list of ten top vacation spots to visit in the world. A few places of historic interest and out standing beauty there to visit is:

DUNLUCE CASTLE
On approaching this site,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 limestone rocks, lies the enchanted mermaids cave. Dunluce Castle (Dun Lios) in Irish, is translated, as the Fairy fort. It is the most breathtaking and most extensive Castle ruin you will find 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.It is truly breathtaking. You are just waiting for the fairies and leprechauns to appear. Dunluce castle 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 that was there. Records are not really 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.

Soon the area was booming and a village of merchants, settlers and Irishmen, soon rose around Dunluce castle, and Dunluce became an important centre of commerce in the area. In 1639, part of the castle and it's kitchens broke off and plunged down into the sea. Seven cooks, who where working at that time, plummeted to their deaths. With the tragic loss off their staff, the Countess persuaded the Earl to leave Dunluce and move nearby. Two years later it was invaded and the surrounding village burnt down.

By 1690, Dunluce Castle was completely 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 though, 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 by many people. 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. It's one of of the most enticing places of mystery and fascination that your likely to come across ever.

The causeway itself, is made up of nearly 40,000 polygonal columns of gray basalt, forming huge stepping stones, some of which are forty foot high. They are all 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 ago. As the molten lava hit the sea water and hit the air, it quickly cooled forming these strange and mysterious columns.

Folk law in the area 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 beautiful 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 it is today.

The causeways existence was first noted around 1692. The coast road leading down into the causeway was only built in the 1830,s and early travelers would revive themselves of whiskey at Bushmills Town nearby, that was on route then to the causeway.. There is more to the causeway than the basalt pillars though. 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. This certainly is one of my top ten Vacation spots ever. There is plenty of great Hotels, guest houses and even mobile homes to stay in, in this area. All of them are excellent by the way.

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.

There is plenty of Hotels, guest houses and caravan sites littered along the Antrim coast for at least twelve miles. They are all friendly and welcoming places to stay in. The are also has a few towns to shop in near by also. Portrush is a great town to visit with Theme parks, Hotels and plenty of restaurants. For a bigger shopping experience. Coleraine is a few Miles down the road and Belfast is just over 50 miles from here also.

Another vacation spot on my list would have to be the Island of Ibiza. I have visited here twice in my life and I am planning a third trip this Summer. It is a great little Island.