The Antrim Coast is a place where history, culture, and natural wonders all converge in fantastic way. There is much to learn, enjoy and photograph. My only regret is that I did not have more time to spend in this amazing place.
Dunluce has to be one of the most dramatic looking castles in all of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The castle is only a ruin, but its location is amazing.
The view looking west out of one of Dunluce Castle's windows. The shear cliffs were incredible, and even featured a beautiful arch.
A red kayaker makes it way along the coast toward the arch.
Giant's Causeway is a World Heritage Site featuring an area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, usually in the shape of hexagons.
The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the foot of a lush green cliff and disappear under the sea.
According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by giants. The story goes that the Irish giant Finn MacCool was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. Across the sea, there are identical basalt columns (a part of the same ancient lava flow) at the Scottish isle of Staffa.
The Dark Hedges is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road in County Antrim. The trees form an dark atmospheric tunnel that has been used as a location in a number of films and television shows, including HBO's Game of Thrones, as the King's Road.
In about 1775 James Stuart built a new house, named Gracehill House, and planted over 150 beech trees along the entrance road to the estate. About 90 of the trees remain today, There is usually an order to natural things, but in this case, it's just pure chaos!
Late afternoon light nicely backlights the trees and casts long shadows across the road. I would love to shoot this location in fog, or in early sunrise light.
Beltony is one of the largest of the many stone circles across the island of Ireland/Northern Ireland. It sits on a hilltop surrounded by lush green hills and forests.