Photos and the City

Tag: Causeway Coast

  • 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

  • Ballintoy Harbour

    ballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    Somewhere I read that one should go to the Harbour Café in Ballintoy and have some breakfast there as it is such lovely place and I love a good breakfast at any time. To my surprise, there was almost a little traffic jam while I passed by a  beautiful white church and then went down the narrow road to the bottom of the cliffs. The café must be really fabulous when so many people are here!

    After I snatched one of the few parking spaces I suddenly knew where all these people came from (or came for…)

    ballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    Balinntoy harbour was used in the second season of “Game of Thrones” as “Lordsport in the Isle of Pyke” and also as the Iron Isles. Still getting some food was more interesting at that very moment. And I definitely will recommend the café in the harbour, you won´t miss it – there is only one!

    And afterwards a nice walk around the harbour!

    ballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitzballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitzballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    View of Sheep Island. In the summertime, sheeps were taken to the island per boat to spent the summer there and enjoy the grass. Today it is an Area of Special Scientific Interest due to its cormorant (an aquatic bird) population.

    ballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitz

    View towards Scotland.

    ballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitzballintoy harbour, game of thrones, northern ireland, uk, causeway coast, roadtrip, ursula schmitz