Giants Causeway, on the northern coast of Northern Ireland, is quite unique, nothing like it in the world. We made a trip of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin and Galway, and of Northern Ireland, saw Londonderry, stayed in Bushmills, visited Belfast and Drogheda. I first (and last) visited here in 1971 after graduating from the LSE. With Lorraine, we walked a lot, drove a lot and saw a good part of the country. Click for an even larger image.
From JFK to Dublin. Click on any of the photos to see a larger one.
Bewleys tea and coffee house on Grafton Street, in the center of Dublin, a couple of blocks from our Temple Bar hotel. Click to see a larger image.
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Bewleys opened in 1840. Click to see a larger image.
We went on a tour of the world famous Guinness brewery in St.James's Gate in Dublin. They converted one of the old storehouse buildings into a modern visitor center, with 20 million visitors a year. By comparison, the whole country of Guatemala gets 2.5 million. The entry ticket includes two pints of Guinness. Click for an even larger image.
In the Gravity Bar, with panoramic views over Dublin, you can claim your "free" pint of Guinness. Click on the photo se see a larger one.
On the floor below, there are several restaurants. One with Irish oysters. And mine was a Guinness stew. Click to see a larger photo.
In Dublin we stayed on Temple Bar, a warren of streets, alleyways and pubs that were open most of the day and night, with hundreds, if not thousands of people from around the world drinking (mainly Guinness) and having a great time. Click for an even larger image.
And we went to one of the main Dublin theatres for an energetic show of "Riverdance", a superb Irish dancing show. I did not realize I bought "V.I.P. tickets", which gave us free drinks and a photo with the two top stars of the show. How cool! Click for an even larger image.
Out of Dublin, on our way to Galway in the west, we stopped at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. At this point they are 700 feet tall. And, with a lot of other people, we arrived in the middle of a strong rain shower. Our ponchos were almost useless.
An appropriate warning on the cliff walk.
The Cliffs of Moher, spectacular. Click for a much larger image.
Cliffs of Moher. Totally soaked.
Cliffs of Moher, amazing. At this point, about 700 feet tall.
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After getting totally soaked on the cliffs, on our way to Galway, the sun came out and we stopped at a lovely Irish pub ... for what else ? Guinness!
In Galway, we went to a Guatemalan restaurant called Sangria, a Guatealan man, American wife. Delicious. Irish food ?
We went on a gastronomic tour of Galway, here Lorraine with our guide. Irish food has improved dramatically! Click to see a larger image.
Galway harbour, near our modern Airbnb apartment that looked over it. Click for a larger image.
On our way north from Galway, in the Republic of Ireland, we stopped to walk around the enormous walls surrounding Derry. Londonderry, as it is properly called, is in Northern Ireland, but in the pub, they served Guinness, just like in the south. Click for a larger image.
After Galway, we drove to Northern Ireland and stayed a few nights in Bushmills, the home of a great Whisky distillery. We took a tour and brought some bottles home. Click for a larger image.
Inside the Bushmills whisky distillery. Click for a larger image.
This is in the center of Busmills.
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We also drove a few miles from Bushmills to the ruins of Duncluce castle. We arrived just before closing hour, so they let us in for free. Click to see a larger image.
Walking to Giants Causeway.
Walking to Giants Causeway. Click to see a larger image.
Giants Causeway, down below us.
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Giants Causeway down below us. Click to see a larger image.
In Galway, we went to a Guatemalan restaurant called Sangria, a Guatemalan man, American wife. Delicious. Irish food ?
Walking to Giants Causeway. Click to see a larger image.
A long walk down the cliffs. Click for an even larger image.
Ireland, Giants Causeway. Click on the photo to see a larger image.
Spectacular, man-made ? Click to see a larger photo.
Giants Causeway. Click for an even larger image.
Giants Causeway. Then we went to Belfast and Drogheda, back in the Irish Republic and then on to Dublin and back home.
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