We are spoilt here in Northern Ireland with so many beautiful touristy spots and others that are a little bit hidden and off the beaten track. There will always be a quiet place to go to if you need not to be in a crowd...
Take the Giant's Causeway for example. It's great to go through the main doors, squeezing through the gift shop (and trying to get the kids through without persuading you to make too many purchases) and maybe even cheating and taking the bus down to Finn Macool's famous stones. But it's also nice to know you can avoid all that by sneaking through a nearby field and ending up at the cliff edge which overlooks the entire coastline. You can actually stand there on your own and take it all in without a peep around you but the distant crash of the waves below.
Or what about Spelga Dam/Happy Valley near Newcastle... you can start off with coffee and a bun at the cafe then again sidle through the gift shop, then take the long and usually bustling walk up to experience lovely views and see the dam. Great! Or if you're brave, why not take a hike through the mournes. This has my mind wandering back to Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition days, treking across Slieve Donard, the Brandy Pad, Trassey Track, Slieve Bernagh; reaching the summit completely exhausted and a bit miserable only to be met with the sight of a red sun setting over a birds eye view of Happy Valley..... Only for the brave, or energetic, but so worth it!
It's so good to know these places will always exist ,no matter what else comes and goes. If you're reading this and planning a vist to Northern Ireland, do get in touch. We would be delighted to share all our secrets!
Happy escaping!
'You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes, no more 3x5's..' John Mayer
PS share your own special N.I places with us and become the proud owner of an Irish Escape mini candle!!!
