Photos and the City

Author: Ursula Schmitz

  • White Park Bay Beach

    white park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    Remember the cattle having an evening stroll on the beach – it was finally my turn to stroll around this beautiful bay – White Park Bay Beach near Ballintoy. It´s also possible to access the beach from Ballintoy Harbour, but I took the way down the cliffs.

    white park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzwhite park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    Say hello to 3 miles of white sand. The bay also shows Irelands geological past.

    The landscape in and around the bay took shape between 200 million and 50 million years ago. Through faults, landslips and raised beaches, some wonderful fossils like Belemnites, Ammonites and Gryphaea have been revealed. (National Trust)

    white park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzwhite park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    And just enjoy…

    white park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzwhite park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzwhite park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzwhite park bay beach, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, beach, roadtrip, ursula schmitzWhite Park Bay Beach 1

  • The Abbey

    ballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coast

    Hole 3 – The Abbey!

    The golf course in Ballycastle has some spectacular sites (and holes – or however you call them). I was driving by and just had to stop and explore this interesting site further.

    ballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coast

    The Bonamargy Friary was founded in in 1485 by Rory MacQuillan as used to be a Franciscan abbey. Several celebrated chieftains and earls of Antrim have been buried in the abbey.

    ballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coast

    Perhaps the Friary’s most famous resident was the 17th century prophet and recluse Julie MacQuillen. Known as ‘The Black Nun’, MacQuillen wished to be buried at the entrance of the chapel so that she might be trodden under the feet of those who entered. A worn Celtic cross (rounded with a hole in the centre) marks her grave at the west end of the main church. (Wikipedia)

    ballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coast

    ballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coastballycastle, golf, abbey, ruins, Bonamargy Friary, causeway coast

  • Torr Head

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz

    I made my way further “back” the coastal road, passing by stunning scenery and many different cows, sheep and horses.

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitztorr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitztorr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz

    View of the Carrick a Rede bridge – this one was on the to-do-list for the next day! Sheep Island in the back.

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz

    And here we are – Torr Head!

     This headland was important in the 1800s for recording the passage of transatlantic ships, relaying the information back to Lloyds of London. It was often the last hope for Scottish clans beckoning aid from allies in Argyllshire. The walls and ruins of Altagore cashel date back to the sixth century. Long before the early Christian church and Irish clans came here, the headland was already remarkable. (Discover Northern Ireland)

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitztorr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitztorr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz

    The view from the top of the headland is spectacular – all across to the Mull of Kintyre (Scotland) – this is the shortest distance between Northen Ireland and Scotland.

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz

    torr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitztorr head, causeway coast, northern ireland, uk, roadtrip, nature, landscpae, ursula schmitz