That's how we started the second morning of our trip (so much better than the car, by the way). And then add showers and running water facilities to that, and it was a lovely morning with an Irish sun beating down on us. We took it really slow, and finally headed into the nearest town named Cushendall around noon. We did a little grocery shopping, found Curly Wurlys at five for a British pound, and stopped wherever our little hearts carried us. Specifically we meandered into an old church, a graveyard, up a mountain side, into an even older church, an even older graveyard, and a hiking trail along the top of the mountain's coastal side.
The first church was your classic small sized Catholic cathedral, and its cemetery was filled to the brim with names that started with "Mc" or "O." We loved that, it just felt so....Irish. The second church is called the Layd Church, and dates back further than 1306. All that remains of this mountain top place of worship are the block walls and the surrounding gravestones, which have long since lost their writing. We loved exploring the shapes and history, and seeing how nature had just invited itself into the scene.
It was near the Layd Church that we found a trail leading around the mountain's side. Our hike started as "let's go look at what's over here!" and then turned into "maybe just a little farther, then we'll turn around. But this view is so worth it!" and then finally into "however long this trail is, we love it." We ended up meeting a British couple along the way, and they had an earful for us on the geology of the area, which was composed by ancient volcanoes, glaciers, etc. It was fascinating, and the enthusiasm of this couple was absolutely contagious, so we were engrossed in that conversation for a good half hour.
That evening we headed back to our campground with the intention of hiking around Glenariff Forest, but just as we pulled in so did the clouds. Again our adventurous hearts got the best of us, and we decided to risk it. To say we got rained on would be an understatement! It took three days for my coat to fully dry. The trails though, in the rain, over the river, and through the woods...there are no words. We loved all of the waterfalls and beautiful greenery.
We were so wet and cold by the end of our hike that we knew we needed a warm dinner instead of our "boy scout meal." So we headed into town a second time, looking for food. We ended up at an Irish pub that had fantastic soup, chips, and ribs. Warm, filling, and there was wifi. When we arrived back at our campground the groundskeeper had left already, so we ended up never paying for our spot (shhhh!). But we did sleep in the car again that night, because of the never ending rain. Hurrah for adventures!
The first church was your classic small sized Catholic cathedral, and its cemetery was filled to the brim with names that started with "Mc" or "O." We loved that, it just felt so....Irish. The second church is called the Layd Church, and dates back further than 1306. All that remains of this mountain top place of worship are the block walls and the surrounding gravestones, which have long since lost their writing. We loved exploring the shapes and history, and seeing how nature had just invited itself into the scene.
It was near the Layd Church that we found a trail leading around the mountain's side. Our hike started as "let's go look at what's over here!" and then turned into "maybe just a little farther, then we'll turn around. But this view is so worth it!" and then finally into "however long this trail is, we love it." We ended up meeting a British couple along the way, and they had an earful for us on the geology of the area, which was composed by ancient volcanoes, glaciers, etc. It was fascinating, and the enthusiasm of this couple was absolutely contagious, so we were engrossed in that conversation for a good half hour.
That evening we headed back to our campground with the intention of hiking around Glenariff Forest, but just as we pulled in so did the clouds. Again our adventurous hearts got the best of us, and we decided to risk it. To say we got rained on would be an understatement! It took three days for my coat to fully dry. The trails though, in the rain, over the river, and through the woods...there are no words. We loved all of the waterfalls and beautiful greenery.
We were so wet and cold by the end of our hike that we knew we needed a warm dinner instead of our "boy scout meal." So we headed into town a second time, looking for food. We ended up at an Irish pub that had fantastic soup, chips, and ribs. Warm, filling, and there was wifi. When we arrived back at our campground the groundskeeper had left already, so we ended up never paying for our spot (shhhh!). But we did sleep in the car again that night, because of the never ending rain. Hurrah for adventures!
I love reading about all the things you've experienced. The pictures and video are fun to see.
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