Evening picnik together

GIANT CAUSEWAY, NORTHEN IRELAND

GIANT CAUSEWAY

Scientific facts - The causeway was formed during the early Tertiary period some 62 - 65 million years ago over a long period of igneous activity. Three lava outflows occurred known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Basaltic. Lulls occurred between the outflows as is evident in the deep inter-basaltic layer of reddish brown 'lithomarge' which is rich in clay, iron and aluminium oxides from weathering of the underlying basalt. The causeway area would have been situated in an equatorial region at that time, experiencing hot and humid conditions. This came about due to the fact that the earth's crust is floating on moving plates known as 'tectonic plates', these move slowly but over millions of years they can travel thousands of miles. The hexagonal columns of the causeway occur in the middle basalt layer, the same formations can be seen at Staffa in Scotland (Fingal's Cave) and they also occurs in the the surrounding landscape of North Antrim and in fact many other parts of the world.
The fascinating pattern that we see in the causeway stones formed as a result of rock crystallization under conditions of accelerated cooling, this usually occurs when molten lava comes into immediate contact with water, as happens today in Hawaii, the resulting fast accelerated cooling process causes cracking and results in what we see today at the causeway. For more information on volcanism please follow the link to the right where you will find references volcanic activities and their outcomes including 'column jointing' as occurs at the causeway

Giant Causeway, natural architecture

The Causeway become widely known as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' from the 1700s when large numbers of visitor's came to view this amazing array of basalt columns, it is estimated that there are around 40,000 in total. Today's visitor is free to wander over the stones but it was not always the case. Growing worldwide fame brought increasing numbers of visitors which inspired a syndicate to engage in a profitable charge'scheme to view the stones at close hand. For over a century prior to this scheme, There had been disputes of access and ownership, the stones have been fenced off, access denied and several legal challenges made. However, in 1897 one lengthy legal battle between this syndicate and local people who objected took place, the High Court in London recognised that a road to the stones had existed for public access to the foreshore but turned down recognition of access over the stones. The Giants Causeway Company subsequently improved the site, fenced off the stones and levied a charge to view them at close hand. The Causeway came into public ownership in 1963 when it was bought by the National Trust but it is thanks to a small band of people who stood up for an ancient right of way in the late 1800's that has led to this free access today. A house once stood at the point where the mini-bus now turns round, a caretaker lived there to monitor the stones and turnstile, through the Giants Gate was a Victorian tea room - both have long since gone. There is nothing left of a two hundred year old tradition that existed amongst local people, who would set up small stalls along the pathway that leads to the causeway or the guides who would show you round or the boatmen who would row you round to Portcoon Cave or round past the Causeway to view the spectacular Amphitheatre.

DUNLUCE CASTLE

...Over the years many changes and additions have occurred to the original structure - inside you may find Norman, Scottish, English and European architectural influences.
The castle was given to the Northern Ireland Government by the Earl of Antrim in 1928 to be preserved as a National Monument, since that time the Department of the Environment have taken great care of it. It is obviously a constant process to maintain and preserve such a large artifact of our past and the Department have done this exceptionally well - many skilled workers have been employed in replacing, renovating and preserving the structure over the past decades - for our continual enjoyment.

Dunluce Castle, Northen Ireland

A castle of myth and legend perched above the White Rocks
Dunluce Castle crowns the majestic limestone cliffs of the White Rocks. Joined to the mainland by an arched walkway, it is thought that Dunluce was constructed by Richard de Burgh or one of his vassals during Ireland's Anglo Norman period. Wrapped in myth and legend, the castle has seen many additions over the centuries, but suffered decline from the late 1600s. On clearer days you can see from the castle to Donegal and round to Islay.
Dunluce Castle was lay siege to on several occasions during its long history, three examples follow:- 1584 - Queen Elizabeth dispatched Sir John Perrott (the Lord Deputy of Ireland) from Dublin with an English army to arrest Sorley Boy MacDonnell -he lay siege to Dunluce on September 14th 1584 and on the third day the castle surrendered - Sorley had flown the nest before his arrival and evaded arrest. The castle was held by Perrott for one year, Sorley re-took it on his departure. 1641 - It was unsuccessfully besieged by an Irish army - the village of Dunluce was destroyed but the castle held out under the command of a Captain Digby and was relieved by the Earl of Antrim in April of that year. 1642 - in July General Munro arrived with a thousand foot soldiers, two troops of cavalry and field guns, acting under the orders of the Marquis of Argyll (an enemy of the Earl) he arrested and imprisoned the Earl in Carrickfergus, he also ransacked Dunluce and other castles belonging to the Earl.

Going to Giant Causeway

Giant Causeway, Northen Ireland

The coastal scenery adjacent to the causeway is some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring that you are likely to find anywhere. The majestic cliffs and inaccessible bays combine with myth and legend to inspire, but look carefully amongst this breathtaking landscape and you will find echoes of another reality, isolated ruins, kelp walls and shoreline fields bear testament to the harder life of subsistence farming and fishing endured by past generations. Dotted around the coast you'll find small sheltered harbours and slipways, fishermen's cottages and rock formations that you will never forget. Many ships have foundered below these towering cliffs but none so tragic as that of the Girona, a galleass of the Spanish Armada. Carrying the crews from two previous Armada shipwrecks, the Girona was on passage from Killybegs and trying to reach the relative safety of Scotland. As she rounded Inishowen peninsula, heavily over laden and in deteriorating sea conditions, her rudder failed. In the teeth of a full blown north-westerly gale, the crew battled to keep her off the coast but she finally struck Lacada Point in view of the Giants Causeway at midnight on October 30th 1588 with the loss of over twelve hundred men. Only five are believed to have survived. Local folklore tell of descendants living here and that victims of the wreck, maybe Spanish nobility, were buried in St. Cuthbert's graveyard near Dunluce Castle, it is known that cannons from the wreck were placed here.

Northen Ireland, LondonDerry, Derry

County Derry is one of the longest continuously inhabited places in Ireland and is a county of unparalleled beauty. You can drive northeast from Derry city, along the coast to the seaside towns of Portstewart and Portrush, and walk along the beautiful beach at Castlerock. The Sperrin Mountains offer great walking opportunities while the town of Coleraine is home to the University of Ulster. The historic walled city of Derry, also known as Londonderry, came into existence in 546 AD, when St Columba founded a monastery beside the River Foyle. It is the fourth largest city in Ireland, and the only one whose ancient walls survive intact. Stroll along the walls and visit the Tower Museum, which charts the history of the city from its beginnings right up to the 1970s

Belfast, Albert memorial Clock

Constructed mainly in sandstone, between 1865 and 1870, as a memorial to Queen Victoria's late Prince Consort, Prince Albert, it stands 113 feet tall. A statue of the Prince in robes of a Knight of the Garter stands on the western side of the tower. A two tonne bell in housed in the tower.

Designed by William J Barre, who also designed Belfast's Ulster Hall, it is described as a mix of French and Italian Gothic styles.

Built on wooden piles on marshy, reclaimed land around the River Farset, the top of the tower leans four feet off the vertical and is known colloquially as Belfast's "Leaning Tower of Pisa".Being situated close to the docks, the tower was once infamous for being frequented by prostitutes plying their trade with visiting sailors. However in recent years regeneration has turned the surrounding Queen's Square and Custom's House Square into attractive, modern public spaces with trees, fountains and sculptures.
In 1947, the film Odd Man Out was filmed partly in Belfast, with the Albert Clock as a central location, although neither the town or the clock is explicitly identified.

Easter holidays, Belfast, Northen Ireland, UK

The City Hall has been described as a 'glorious Edwardian confection of a building'. Opened in 1906 and built in Classical Renaissance style in Portland stone with an sumptuous interior lavished with three types of Italian marble.

Its crowning features are the 173' high central dome with a whispering gallery and the grand central staircase.