Category Archives: Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

To the Causeway Coast

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Thursday 14th September 2017

After a dull day yesterday, we packed up the caravan and, heading to the Causeway Coast, left County Fermanagh to head towards Co Londonderry and Co Antrim, taking in Co Tyrone, on our way. We took A46 to Ballyshannon and then N15 to Donegal.

On reaching Donegal, we turned east, continuing on N15, and steadily climbed to Barnesmore Gap in the Bluestack Mountains. As we approachedLondonderry, we began to follow the River Foyle, which was quite a wide river.

Often navigating large cities can be problematic, but we made our way safely and quickly through Derry/Londonderry. The view of the city across the river was lovely. As we made our way out of the city we caught a glimpse of the imposing Peace bridge spanning the river. Very picturesque.

14.09.2017 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 154 – Cumulative: 1,886

We were now on the Causeway coastal route and making our way to our destination Portrush. By the time we arrived at our campsite, Carrick Dhu, the wind had really picked up and the rain arrived, making it very unpleasant setting up.

The warden paid us a visit and was very chatty and helpful, giving us plenty of information about the facilities and the immediate area, as well as some literature to mull over later.

The site was in reality much larger than we had anticipated. The touring caravan section was located in the middle of a huge number of static holiday homes, but because of the time of year was very quiet. The facilities, including the shower block were spotless too.

As the evening began to draw in we decided to wrap up and venture out for something to eat. We didn’t have to go far, which was lucky, as the weather was ‘dreek’. We came across a restaurant, The Tides.

We were shown to the first floor to a table with lovely views out to sea, despite the lashing rain on the windows! The menu was extensive and very good value. 3 courses for the price of your main. If you can’t manage all 3 courses, you can swap one for a small glass of wine, beer or a soft drink. If that wasn’t enough, there were also 3 daily special starters and mains too! The staff were polite and attentive and we had a thoroughly enjoyable meal. A great end to the day.

Massive Burger
Super Prawns
Northern Ireland

Fermanagh

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Tuesday 12th September

Our camp site is situated just off  A46, which runs along the length of Lower Lough Erne, from Belleek in the north, to Enniskillen in the south. The Lough Erne Golf Resort and Castle Hume Golf Club are also just a short drive down the road. We are well located to explore this area of County Fermanagh. On the journey to our site, Ray had noticed a sign for a view point, which is always worth a visit. We set off to retrace our drive. Bingo!

Lough Navar Forest Entrance

Lough Navar is part of Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. It was one of the first eight Geoparks to be recognised by UNESCO when they launched their Geoparks initiative in 2001. The entrance into the forest was particularly mysterious.

Road To Aghamaleen Viewpoint

The narrow two way road led us through the forest and up to our first viewpoint Aghamaleen Viewpoint. The view here,  looks to the south east over a large area of West Fermanagh. There was also the opportunity to take a 2 km walk to a waterfall from the car park. We continued our climb, stopping a number of times to wonder at the vast uprooted coniferous trees, displaying their shallow root system and the velvet covering of moss.

Uprooted Coniferous Trees

The forest is dark, dense and very wet. The way the moss has developed over time on the forest floor,  the branches and trunks of the trees was so beautiful.

We finally made it to the main viewing point, the jewel of the forest, Magho Cliffs viewpoint.  Apparently on a clear day, Lower Lough Erne, the Sperrin Mountains, Slieve League, the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Stack Mountains can be seen.

Magho Cliffs Panarama

As well as the 7 mile long drive, there are many walking paths and trails of various lengths. So plenty for all tastes, ages and fitness levels.

Back down from the forest, we made our way on the Glennasheevar Road to Garrison and on to our next place of interest. We took B52, which is basically a flat, straight road, which runs along the border between Fermanagh and Leitrim. It passes Lough Macnean Upper and into the town of Belcoo.  The town is on the County Fermanagh/County Cavan border, beside the village of Blacklion in the Republic of Ireland.

We then followed the signs for Marble Arch Caves Geopark. We found plenty of parking, and even an electric vehicle charging point! My brother would be impressed.

Admission prices were good but we were informed that owing to the amount of rainfall over the last few weeks, the 10 minute boat tour has not been operating since early August! In fact, yesterday the caves were closed as the water levels were too high.  So I guess we were lucky to choose to visit today.

We had a fantastic tour guide to take us on our voyage of discovery. She informed us, in her delightful Irish accent, that we would have to take the 154 steps down to the caves and again on exiting! Normally you would only have to do these once, as you would take the boat tour first and use a different entrance.

Once we had navigated the steps, our tour followed a walkway, taking us through different caves, with wonderful examples of different stalagmites and stalactites and rock formations that have evolved over millions of years.

Marble Arch Caves
Marble Arch Caves
Marble Arch Caves

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and talked about the history and formation of  the caves.

One of the interesting highlights, which no photograph could do justice to, was the stalactites on the ceiling of the caves reflected in the river below, resembling a ‘mini Atlantis’ underwater city.

Back out of the caves and into the visitor centre, there were well displayed information boards and artefacts to feed the mind. All in all an excellent way to spend an afternoon.

Northern Ireland

First time into Northern Ireland

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Monday 11th September 2017

Today we are making our way to Northern Ireland. We have commitments later in the month so we need to make our way northwards. Unfortunately we will only be paying lip service to County Mayo and County Sligo but I’m sure we will be paying Ireland a visit again some time in the future.

11.09.2017 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 216 – Cumulative: 1,732

We took the Wild Atlantic Way along the Killary Harbour on N59, a now familiar road, even after a short time in the area.

Killary Fjord

We travelled the whole length of the Harbour, skirting the southern shore, passing through the village of Leenane before crossing into County Mayo, from Galway. The road followed the meandering Erriff River at the base of the mountains, with views of water cascading down the slopes. We continued on N59 to Westport, then headed east to Charlestown and the border between County Mayo and Sligo.

After navigating Sligo at school’s out time, we made our way northeast. The road began to rise and to our surprise we were suddenly driving along the valley of Glencar and County Leitrim.

Swiss Valley Waterfall

Apparently it’s alternative name is Swiss Valley, owing to the limestone walls which give it an alpine appearance. If time and no caravan had allowed, there was a pretty waterfall to be visited.

Back on the road again, and onwards to Manorhamilton . The weather was so changeable. One minute the sun was out, the next it was pouring with rain. We even tried to find the end of the rainbow and the pot of gold!

Nice Rainbow On The Way To Sligo

For some reason the sat nav came into it’s own again and sent us off on R282 towards the village of Garrison. Not really the fastest or most suitable road but we managed to take in Lough Melvin on the way. (And boy was it choppy on the waters!!)

Stormy Lough Melvin

Sat Nav mistake #2 was just around the corner. Instead of taking the longer route B52 to Belleek and then the lovely smooth A46 to our destination. Oh no, we headed east on the scenic Ulster Way! Not so scenic towing a caravan or if you suffer from motion sickness. The road was suitable for tractors and that’s all that we encountered on our 9.7 miles to A46! Needless to say, by the time we reached the end, we were both feeling the worse for wear.

At last we pulled up at our next destination, Blaney Caravan Park in County Fermanagh, near Enniskillen. Home for the next few days.