Bicycle, Bicycle

I got a new bicycle yesterday, with a basket (!!).  We took advantage of the sunny weather today and took the bikes to Phoenix Park for a picnic.

St. Patrick's Day 2011

One reason Jesse and Michelle came to Ireland when they did was so Jesse could celebrate his 30th birthday, which happens to be on St. Paddy's day, in Dublin.  We did lots of celebrating.

Counting down to the big 3-0

Birthday-Bushmills

On the way to the St. Patrick's Day parade

Michelle made Jesse a birthday shirt

While out on the town we found a new store that for the most part sells
only American products (at pretty steep prices).  They also sell marshmallow fluff,
Aunt Jemima, pancake mix, Nerds and jelly beans.  I can live without these things.

Portrush and Bushmills Distillery

After Giant's Causeway we continued north up to Portrush where we stayed the night.  The next morning we did some walking along the coast, visited Dunluce Castle, and toured the Bushmills distillery.

Michelle and Jesse enjoying some drinks

Breakfast at the Clarmont B&B

Richard's chuffed about the "Ulster Fry"

Dunluce Castle

beach walk

Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills whiskey tasting

Giant's Causeway

After leaving Belfast, we drove the famous A2 along the coast, passing on the way Carrickfergus with its castle and of 'I wish I was in Carrickfergus' fame, Larne of 'I wish I was out of Larne' fame, and Torr Head.

Then we bravely crossed the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, with stark resemblance of Monty Python's 'Bridge of Death'. The bridge keeper had only one question, and while we can't reveal the details, it had to do with our tickets.

As it was getting dark, we got to the Giant's Causeway, which enhanced not only the character of the place - hexagonal rocks paving a way into the sea towards the Scottish coast - but also the wind and rain. We were quite happy to arrive at Portrush afterward.

The drive along the coast is just fantastic. For me, it's a major attraction, if not - according to our tour book at least - for the faint-hearted.

Looking south towards Cushendun

View from Torr Head

Jesse and Michelle like it

By the bridge

... must answer questions three

This rather misrepresents the perilous nature of the undertaking

This, too

The Giant's Causeway

The rocks

The giant, raging sea

Belfast

Right after Michelle and Jesse arrived, we drove north to see Belfast and the Antrim coast. As is customary, we started off with Indian for dinner, and then hit the pubs the landlord recommended. Well, no, we had dinner and went to bed. Next day, we saw Belfast, which is nice. We also visited some segregated areas in a black cab and saw murals.

The cathedral

The Laggan

The cab that took us around

Mural

Mural

The separating wall