Richard:

 

From my '07 Trip Report:

"After breakfast, we set out for Armoy. Having accomplished SO MUCH the previous day, we were hoping to be equally aggressive today . We drove down into Ballycastle and then followed the A44 through Glen taisle, stopping at a shop and petrol station just the intersection of the A44 and the B147 for drinks and snackee cakes. Returning to the highway, I noticed a small sign indication a Round Tower, pointing to the left.

Our goal was the Dark Hedges, however so we continued south until we saw the entrance to Lime Park. On a whim, I swung the Passat into the drive and got out to look around. The sky was dull and dreary and the air had turned rather chill. As I walked around the cottage buildings, no one else was about, even though there did APPEAR to be some occupants. The place FASCINATED me -- I could have easily spent hours discussing the architecture, the renovations and the solitary wind generator had the owners been out and about. If / when I ever return to Antrim, I most definitely want to stay there. I envision Lime Park as the ideal, stereotypical site from which to retreat from the world and write ones Memoirs

Once I finally tore myself away, we opened Michele Erdvigs IRELAND DREAM TRIP to page 376 and followed the directions therein to the Gracehill Golf Club. We only had a small spot of trouble, early on, as we discovered a T intersection, but following Micheles advice - veering right, when in doubt, we soon found our way to the Dark Hedges.

NOTE: One of the crossroads that you drive through while en route, is actually the B147. If you were driving from Ballycastle and WERENT visiting Lime Park, you could turn right at the A44 / B147 intersection by the shop / petrol station in Armoy and cut a few miles off the trip that way.

The Dark Hedges are quite impressive, though there were some gaps that foretell a time in the not terribly distant future when the magic may completely disappear. I also recommend that you continue on and actually drive up to the club house ( the old Gracehill House ) as the tree shrouded lane is also quite evocative. Like Michele, we too parked, and walked the lane. The dull, gray sky seemingly setting a perfect mood for reflection and introspection. If you have the time, it is well worth the journey.

Back on the road, we turned left onto the B147 and drove directly into Armoy, passing under the cross road Welcome sign festooned with Union Jacks that announce that you are entering the town limits. At the intersection of the A44, we continued straight at the urging of the Round Tower sign. It is located only a mile or so from the A44, sitting in the side yard of a small Protestant church. As Round Towers go, it wasnt the most impressive that Ive seen, but Im glad to have taken the detour to do so.

Our original plan was to return to Ballycastle and then follow the Coast Road, down to Carrickfergus, but the limited visibility caused by the weather discouraged us and we decided to follow the inland path instead. I drove the A44 to Ballymena, then the A36 to just beyond Moorfields and then followed the B94 to Ballyclare, before making our way into Carrickfergus. Once on the main road, theres no missing the Castle and there is a large Car Park just to the south of it."

Hope this helps ...

Bob

Bob,

Thanks so much for the immediate response.  After departing for the Giant's Causeway from Derry tomorrow morning we will head for the dark hedges.  Then return to the coast road to travel down the coast to Newtownards for three nights.  Thank you for yor kindness.

 

Richard

Bob, Tony and Michele,

Saw the beautiful row of trees today and they were amazing. Yes, Michele is absolutely correct, the green fence running through the trees along one side takes away the pristine, natural look of nature and interjects a man-made fence into the scene. It changes the entire character of the scene.

I do not want to leave Ireland, even though it has rained every day for a month, excluding two days without rain. Two of the days rained all day, around the Killarney sites and at Omagh and Londonderry, for the fold park and the walk around the city walls. It was cold and windy, pretty lousy in fact, but this still could not dampen our thoughts about Ireland.

Will write about our finds at the end of the month.

Richard Leeds

Richard,

What are you most interested in? Titanic or the city of Belfast? That will determine which one to see. Also, I've read that at times you need reservations for tickets to the new Titanic museum. Can you phone them to see? If not available do the black taxi tour.

Michele

Richard,

Are you spending another night in Belfast? If so, that sounds doable.

Michele