St. George's Market and the Glens of Antrim

St. George's Market

This market has many great booths depending on what day you go.  I've only been on Saturdays, when they have more produce and food.  I usually go about once every other week to get fruit for the next two weeks. I have yet to go on other days, but I have heard that Friday has more crafts and Sunday has useful items.  I plan on going on one of these other days before the end of my time here, but for now, I just wanted you to know about it!

Here is the address for the market if you are interested in learning more:

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket/

Glens of Antrim

Carrickfergus Castle is a large castle built by the Norman John de Courcy who overthrew the kings ruling the north of Ireland thus establishing his prominent rule in the region. It was constructed in 1180 to guard the approach to Belfast Lough. The history of the castle and its role in defense of this region of Ulster is provided through exhibits and audio-visual facilities within the castle.

In the past, peoples of Northern Ireland lived in caves such as this.  Supposedly--according the bus driver anyway--this is where a school was held back in those times.  To me, these caves remind me of the 'hobbit-holes' described in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and his later "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Carrick-a-Rede bridge is a swinging rope bridge spanning an 800 feet wide chasm connecting the main land to the Carrick-a-Rede island which is used by fishermen. The bridge crossing is quite thrilling and not for the faint hearted! It is open between the months of April and September.

Giant's Causeway is a World Heritage site. Here the visitor can witness a spectacular sight of about 40,000 six sided basalt column, estimated to be about 55 million years old, which were formed by cooling lava. The site stretches for 2 miles along the county Antrim coast where there are scenic walks that take you past splendid amphitheaters and fine rock formations. The visitors' center provides audio-visual shows and interactive exhibitions which explains in detail the formation of the causeway attributed to the giant Finn MacCool (mythology) and also the actual geology involved.

Old Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in the world where the renowned Bushmills whiskey has been distilled legally since 1608 when King James 1 granted its license. A guided tour of the distillery is provided where the secrets of whiskey production is revealed and the visitor also allowed to sample the distilled product.

Dunlace Castle was built by Richard de Burgh, the Earl of Ulster.  In 1584 it fell to the famous battle hardy MacDonnell clan who ruled this north eastern corner of Ireland in the 16th century.  In 1588 the MacDonnells used their helping of the treasures from the Spanish Armada ship the Girona, wrecked off the Giant's Causeway, to refurbish the castle.  However, in 1639, during a violent storm, part of the castle fell into the sea after which it was abandoned by the MacDonnells.  It has a breathtaking location perched on a cliff top along the spectacular county Antrim coast.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is a popular and fairly new series--soon start it's second season--filmed by HBO.  A majority of the series is filmed in Northern Ireland.  Throughout my time in Belfast, I've met some of the extras that work on set.  On our tour of the Glens of Antrim, we saw several of the sights used during filming.  Unfortunately I was not able to get a great picture of the prop castle that was built/being built.  However, I was able to capture an image of the Wall.  If you've read the books or seen the show, you know how lacking this little white painted portion of stone is to the actual Wall, but with special effects and proper camera angles, you can use your imagination to see how this little bit would be used to portray the Wall.  Also below, I have a description of the show for all those who have not read the books or seen the show.

A Description of the Show

"Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

"It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men...all will play the 'Game of Thrones.'

"A new original series based on George R.R. Martin's best-selling 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. Winter is coming soon to HBO."

The Wall



Sources:
History of Glens of Antrim sites: http://www.guide-to-nireland.com/antguide.htm#Antrim
Game of Thrones information:  http://www.hbo.com/#/game-of-thrones/about/index.html