On our last tour day in Ireland Francie got some gorgeous sunrise pictures of Ballygally Bay before we headed south along the coast to Belfast. On the way we stopped at a largely intact Norman castle. From there our bus took us past a number of sights in Belfast before arriving at our Hotel. Francie and I indulged in a leisure afternoon with a final pint at a pub across the street before supper.
Sunrise over the Maidens or Hulin Rocks in the North Channel off County Antrim. Lighthouses were built on both rocks in 1829 for the ship channel into the port at Larne.
Sunrise behind the headland just east of Ballygally Castle
Sunrise over Ballygally Bay, County Antrim seen from the parking lot across the road from our lodging in Ballygally Castle which incorporates a 1625 Scottish baronial style castle built by James Shaw.
The sun pops over the headland just east of Ballygally Castle.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast. Walkway along the garden wall to the trout stream gate.
Interesting combination of a full bloom; a fading bloom, a really faded bloom, and a couple of yet to open blooms.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
A pretty rose in the Ballygally Castle gardens.
Faux wall turret in the walls of the Ballygally Castle gardens.
Full bloom with specks of pollen on the petals and a pollinator fly at work.
The gardens of Ballygally Castle were small but pretty to visit after breakfast and before our departure along the coastal highway to Belfast.
Passing through Larne, Northern Ireland, at the A2 roundabout we got a glimpse of the Jubilee Crown. A 24 foot high steel replica of a coronation crown.
Constructed by John de Courcy in 1177 Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman Irish castle in the town of Carrickfergus, County Antrim; besieged in turn by the Scottish, Irish, English and French.
Northwest corner of Carrickfergus Castle.
Marina next to Carrickfergus Castle.
Statue of King William III (William of Orange) in front of Carrickfergus Castle commemorates his landing here June 14, 1690.
Francie Stoutamire Photography
