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A quick British Airways flight from Manchester and we could have been in another world. Let there be no doubt that the whole of Ireland is stunning, not just the south, and their attitude towards enjoying life can only be applauded. Northern Ireland may have had its troubles but the vast majority of its folk have always been nothing other than warm and welcoming. Now those troubled times are behind us, I am sure that the world will re-discover the beauty of Northern Ireland.
Carrack-A-Rede rope bridge was our first stop and what a fine place to start. The north coast is probably the most stunning in the whole of the UK. The rope bridge can be found a few miles along from the Giants Causeway on the A2 between Bushmills and named because this lump of rock sits in the path of the salmon each year as they swim past. For hundreds of years fishermen have laid nets from the rock to catch the salmon. They needed a bridge to get to the rock so they built one out of rope, be warned, it's a walk to the bridge and crossing it is very scary! Open Easter 14-18 April. May and June 11am to 6pm, July and August 10am to 6pm.
The Giants Causeway must be one of the wonders of the world, hundreds of thousands of strangely formed stones, it was given its name by enterprising Victorian guides who said the Irish Giant Finn McCool built it. Nobody really knows why it took such a shape but it was formed as hot lava hit the cold sea. It's a long walk, or bus ride down to the rocks. Open all year.
On the same coast road (A2) is Dunluce Castle. You will struggle to find a better defended castle anywhere. Built on a rock outcrop it has sheer cliffs on all sides! A drawbridge would have been the only entrance. Sadly its position was also the downfall of some of its inhabitants, whilst preparing a feast, the kitchen staff fell into the sea with most of the kitchen! Open 1st April to 30th September, times alter but 2pm is always safe.
Lough Neagh is the largest commercially fished lake in the whole of Europe. We went to the visitor centre (Craigavon, Co Armagh) which is very interesting but sadly devoid of visitors, and then took to the water. The Lough remains the same depth everywhere (I seem to remember it was 18 feet) and is so wide that the distance across diagonally is further than Ireland to Scotland. Eel fishermen lay sets, one line with a hook every metre of a mile in length, each day. Visitor Centre: 01762 322205.
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