Dublin to Ballycastle

Thursday, September 30, 2010

We claimed our rental car just up the block from our hotel and took the shortest recommended route out of the notorious Dublin traffic to the M1 motorway, headed north and driving on the left all the way.

Our first stop was at Bru na Boinne to see this ancient archeological site.  We toured the enormous mound at Newgrange, which was a worship site, astronomical observatory, and burial mound.  It is 5,000 years old, predating the pyramids and Stonehenge.

We were close to Ardee, the hometown of Mel’s maternal grandmother, so we drove through, but did not stop. 

Back on the motorway, we crossed into Northern Ireland without crossing any apparent border or cultural divide.  Times have really changed since The Troubles dominated this island!

Because we hoped to spend the night on the northern coast, we just passed through Belfast and headed for the Coastal Causeway.  This glorious route combined shoreline beauty, small villages and scattered white farmhouses, and the stunning sight of emerald green fields, dotted with grazing sheep and cattle, sloping to the sea.  It was breathtaking at every turn!

Tonight we are in Ballycastle, a seaside town on the northern coast.