The 9 Glens of Antrim. Glenariff Forest Park

Coming back on our lovely short trip to Co Antrim during the Easter break (see my previous post about it here), I wanted to write a special post about the Glens of Antrim, designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) back in 1988.

The area comprises 9 glens –or valleys– that radiate from the Antrim Plateau to the coast.

Even their names are special! here is the list:

GLENARM - Glen of the army.
GLENCLOY - Glen of the dykes.
GLENARIFF - Glen of the arable land.
GLENBALLYEMON - Edwardstown Glen.
GLENAAN - Glen of the little fords.
GLENCORP -  Glen of the dead.
GLENDUN - Brown Glen.
GLENSHESK - Glen of the sedges (reeds).
GLENTAISIE - Named after Taisie, princess of Rathlin island.
(info extracted from www.discovernorthernireland.com) 

It has been an impossible task for me to find a good map that would clearly show just the nine Glens of Antrim with their names and exact locations. The best I could find is the map below, from www.ireland.com, showing the glens (red names) and their approximate locations in the area:

I know...difficult to read! You could enlarge the picture if you want to locate all of them.

In this last visit, we only had time to visit the spectacular Glenariff Forest Park (Glenariff is also known as The Queen of the Glens) and it offers so much to hikers of all levels, professional and amateur photographers, nature lovers, families with or without pets and everybody else! ;-D.

There are several trails you can follow from the car park of the Forest Park... we decided to follow the Waterfall Walk, very popular, that was opened to the public over 80 years ago! 

It's an easy to follow path, with stunning views of the river gorge and, of course, the waterfalls.... 

The kids had an amazing time along the walk, running up and down, taking pictures and enjoying the views

After the fantastic walk and the two or three million pictures we took, we had our sandwiches at one of the few picnic tables that can be found in the park. Feels gooood to have lunch in such an amazing place... even if it was only ham sandwiches, salad and some fruit!

So now that the weather is starting to give us a break and the sun shines... from time to time, do not hesitate to organise a trip to Co Antrim if you can, because I am sure all the family will enjoy it ;-)

A weekend in Co. Antrim / Co. Derry

OK! Let’s call it spring… but it really feels like winter, doesn’t it?

Well, if there is one thing we have learnt (the hard way!) since we moved to Ireland, it’s that you cannot wait for the sun to come out if you want to make the most out of your free time with the kids. You have to go out and look for places that will “brighten up” the rainy days. Wellies and raincoats all packed in your suitcases, of course!

Maybe it’s because our boys have lived here most of their lives, but they do not seem to bother about the weather… Just look at the youngest showing us how to do it:

The things you can do/see/eat/enjoy along the DART line (part II)

Hi again - following from my last post about the DART line here, our next station southwards is Booterstown:

You would consider BOOTERSTOWN STATION  as convenient only for all the residents of this lovely and quiet  area... well, I would advise you to hop off the train here as well.

Christmas @ Farmleigh

Christmas is only around the corner!

I guess all families have their own Christmas traditions: those things you do every year when Christmas spirit starts invading us all....

Well, we also have a few traditions, and one of them is going to Farmleigh:

Nice morning walk along Burrow Beach (Sutton)

Burrow Beach is just fantastic.

We had not heard of it until a few weeks ago that we found it... by accident.

Things you can do/see/eat/enjoy along the DART line (part I)

Hello again!

I have been meaning to write this post for quite some time now....

I would like to tell you about some of the fantastic things that can be done, seen, eaten... and more! along the DART line because, believe me: you do NOT need a car to enjoy a SPECTACULAR DAY OUT - DART offers you so many things you'll be amazed!

First thing: the tickets - you can get a 1 Day Family Ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 kids for just 20 EUR* and start the fun...

Now, the itinerary:

County Meath - so many things to see and do...

Not sure why... maybe because it's so close to Dublin, we had never properly visited County Meath. 

Yes, we had seen some of the most popular places there, but never stayed overnight, so last weekend we decided to pack our things and  get to know Meath a bit better.

And let me tell you: WE WILL BE BACK!