Ireland

After leaving Scotland on the most upscale ferry we have ever seen, we landed in Belfast in northern Ireland. We drove to the scenic north coast to the most funky hotel ever. Our rooms were above the bar where we had to check in and get our keys, and the bartender helped us carry our luggage up the rickety stairs (too funny). And from here we were able to experience the scenic north coast of Ireland...

There is a World Heritage Site called the Giant Causeway that we toured. It is the most interesting formations of rocks that look like giants placed them there all along the coast...

Sitting on the giant's handiwork...

From there we went to the Royal Portrush Golf Course (another famous golf course where the British Open will be played this year) for lunch. And then on to the "Dark Hedges". It's a beautiful avenue of beech trees planted in the 18th century. They are dark and mysterious and shown often in the series Game of Thrones.

And it was also here that the Captain is seen sitting on the Iron Throne from The Game of Thrones...

Also here up on the north coast is the Dunluce Castle dated from the 1500's...

The whole north coast of Ireland is beautifully wild and is shown often in the series, Game of Thrones.

We ended our time on the north coast at a Pub in Ballycastle where we ended up tasting Irish whiskeys all night. And yes, they are different than Scottish whiskeys. And the Captain and I continued our search for the best Irish coffee...

Then we drove south all day on little bitty one way dirt roads trying to find our way to our next lodging in the Delphi Valley. The scenery was spectacular even though we were tired of the tedious driving on the "wrong" side of the road. They do like their stone walls and hedges which both crowd the sides of the roads. But we made it to the Delphi Lodge...

It was an elegant fishing lodge that was used by the British Royals in the 1800's. And still is an elegant fishing lodge in the most remote part of Ireland.

It was situated on the Doolough Path where many died during the famine in the 1800's and there were many plaques around the property to remind us of it.

All around the Delphi valley, waterfalls and beauty everywhere...

We took an afternoon to go and see the Westport House, which was the main house in which the fishing lodge was a part of. It was the equivalent of Downton Abbey in Ireland in its day. It was built in 1730...

It was built on top of the ruins of a castle dating back to the 1500's. It belonged to a famous Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley who ruled the seas from Scotland to Spain.
I just had to have my picture taken with a statue of her...

As we left the Delphi Valley and headed south, we passed by this famous Abbey. We were sorry that we didn't have time to tour it, but so enjoyed the magnificent view...

Wild, green, spectacular Ireland...

And so our time together with Judy and Paul was ending...we are so thankful for this wondrous time with our family...

After Paul and Judy left us to return to the States, we headed south to Cork. Our dear friend Dominique (who we met in Sardinia many years ago) has moved here with his fiancée Jane. What fun to reconnect with them!!! They showed us all around the south coast which was magnificent, like the rest of Ireland...

It was truly wonderful to get to know and love Jane, as we do Domonique!

We were left with the impression of the Irish as the friendliest,  playful, and open hearted people in the world! What a treat to spend time with them and the Scots as well. This statue sums it up for us and we say "Thank You" to all of them...