Earlier this week I had the pleasure of following the beautiful trail of the scenic Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. Winding through the countryside and hugging Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline, the road boasts incredible views of the sea and includes many popular attractions along the way, such as Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Giant’s Causeway.

Linking the mainland to the tiny Carrick-a-Rede Island, the bridge is suspended approximately 100 feet above jagged rocks and turbulent waters and has been in place for approximately four centuries. Fishermen used to walk over to the island via the bridge and cast their fishing nets to catch salmon. While the site is no longer an active salmon fishery, it is a very popular tourist attraction with its beautiful views of the sea and the Scottish Isles. Though the weather was cold, I was lucky enough to visit on a clear, sunny day. With not many visitors around, I paused in the middle of the swaying bridge to appreciate the view of the blue waters beneath me before planting my feet back on solid ground and hopping back on my tour bus for a short drive to Giant’s Causeway.

On the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and considered one of the U.K.’s Seven Wonders, the Giant’s Causeway is the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. The site contains approximately 40,000 gigantic black basalt columns jutting out of the sea.

Some also believe the formation was created by an Irish giant named Finn MacCool who built a causeway to Scotland in order to fight a giant named Benandonner. After seeing Benandonner and realizing he was a much bigger giant, Finn rushed back to Ireland and asked his wife Oonagh for help. Oonagh dressed Finn in infant clothing, and when Benandonner arrived in Ireland, she told him the large baby was Finn’s son. Benandonner thought if the infant was that big, he didn’t want to stick around to meet his dad; so he fled back to Scotland, ripping up the causeway in his path.

Aside from the great story, the site offers fantastic views and is a must-see stop on a trip to Northern Ireland!

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator