With so much uncertainty, it felt amazing to board my 'McComb's Coaches' trip next to Belfast's Europa Hotel. I had booked McComb's 'Game of Thrones Tour' with the intent to see a handful of the former filming locations. Serving castles, caves and countryside, there was a lot! I had much to see during that full-packed Sunday in N.I, this feature will stretch over two posts! Go!
McComb's Coaches had me riding on time, that Europa Hotel pick-up location came through for me! I was majorly excited about my McComb's Coaches day trip, branded the 'Game Of Thrones Tour', I expected to be schooled about that HBO series that had been mostly filmed throughout Northern Ireland. I had no idea about the series but had seen online that the tour didn't just include the usual 'Giant's Causeway Tour' stops, already you know that I wanted to squeeze as much as I could from my only Sunday spent in Northern Ireland. Originally, I had paid through Viator but then with a change of dates for my whole trip, I went ahead with a new booking directly with McComb's through their website. Taking in places such as 'Cushendun Caves' and 'Carnlough Harbour', I was ready to see even more of Northern Ireland than I had originally planned! On my own terms I embraced that tour group vibe, although nothing nor nobody would stand in my way regarding my accomplishments nor photo opportunities! N.I, I was sure!
Heading out of Belfast City just after nine in the morning saw us on course for Northern Ireland's 'Antrim North Coastal Path'. Making our first stop at Carrickfergus Castle had me looking over the waters at Bangor, where I had been the previous day and as mentioned before the view in front of me had been in the direction of the castle. The Norman built castle had been present in Carrickfergus since 1177, besieged by the Scots, Irish, English and French, throughout there was a strong military presence since 1928. Was that King Billy? Yes, it was! In actual fact the statue outside of the castle was supposed to be a 'to scale' depiction of the Protestant, William Of Orange. A statue on the shorter side it was, he was only 5 foot, 2 inches tall? Apparently so! Our short stop at Carrickfergus allowed us to see that Sunday's in Northern Ireland are really the 'Lord's Day' or was everybody all hungover? Bidding the castle and old 'King Billy' a swift farewell, it was time to ditch those 'town settings' for a scenic view! Oh, Billy!
Sticking within the boundary of County Antrim, the coach passed through the port town of Larne. It was evident that we were passing through a 'Loyalist' area with several fluttering British Union Jack flags waving from their very own flagpoles! I'm British but I have never seen the need to fly my own flag in my own garden, my own passport confirms my nationality just right. It was apparent that Larne had many supporters of the 'British Monarchy', pledging an allegiance to the Queen. One roundabout even had been adorned with an opulence purple royal looking crown, our driver explained that it had been placed in Larne during the last Jubilee celebrations. As the coach grew closer towards Carnlough Harbour, the North Antrim Coastal Path skimmed past us with those Irish Sea views passing us by effortlessly! We passed the coast of Scotland but the cloudy conditions had Scotland looking all hazy, my GPS location confirmed that Stranraer wasn't far from us! Games Of Thrones, who? I don't know her! Yes, those facts!
Located at the foot of Glencoy, the shores of Carnlough Bay fronted our coach with the most beautiful of views! That picture-postcard setting had been the filming location where 'Arya Stark' had walked up the steps from beneath the waters. I had not watched that scene but to take in the view with a general sense was enough of an absolute treat. Lined with a row of shopfronts, the whole scene that surrounded the harbor had my whole heart! I made sure that my photos were taken from the raised stone wall, the views over the bay and harbor were unstoppable! The cloud started to lift and with that scene of salvation, it was then we could all appreciate the views properly! I did see a 'Tri-colour' flag fluttering over the harbour, after asking the driver the question if it was a 'Republican' area, he confirmed that I was right. Carnlough Harbour had me catching such lovely views, breathing in the sea air had my lungs feeling cleansed. Grabbing a few snacks and drinks from the shop had me reminded, it was the British money they wanted!
The drive from Carnlough Harbour to Cushendun Caves allowed us all to see the lush green landscape along the North Antrim Coastal Path. As the cloud lifted it was like a dream to see the winding coastline, I felt as if those Northern Irish views had me much further away than that UK location! For me I wasn't bothered by the groups who were on the coach, although it was easy to tell that some were from the 'Continent' because two women had to be reminded by the driver several times. As mentioned before, the views over the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and Scotland were much more appealing than those 'European' interruptions. Before arriving at Cushendun Caves, the winding roads served several rows of cute white-washed houses, I loved passing by such streets because they all looked gorgeous. Our driver had so far brought us all up to speed with the 'Games Of Thrones' series, his commentary I found to be interesting. Whereas for others, a little thing called 'manners' wouldn't have utilised much of their energy! Come on!
With around fifteen minutes for our stop at Cushendun Caves allocated, I made my way to that former filming location. Minding my footing, I was able to get close enough to the caves without getting into other peoples business, I stood back to allow them to be. I loved my view of the caves, it was at a distance and it allowed me to take my photos with a crafty pocket of time bestowed to me. I marvelled at the coastline, the waves lapped up against the shingle and stone beach. There's nothing like being close to the sea, with the imposing shape of the caves overlooking me, I felt content at that social distance. The Cushendun Caves had been the filming location for Melisandre to give birth to the 'terrible killer shadow'. I had no regrets, I had no connection towards the show, the location allowed me to create my own opinion without not knowing what it looked like beforehand. We had reached the halfway point of the day, lunchtime neared and quite frankly I was getting hungry! It was back to the coach, ready for the next stop!
100%, Belfast felt like it was a million miles away from those rolling hills, the Northern Irish countryside served up some amazing views indeed! We were making our way over to the Dark Hedges, before that upcoming stop we had about thirty minutes to enjoy those passing green views. I was amazed by those scenic countryside views, from every single angle we could all capture our own best view from the coach window. That extended journey from Cushenden Caves over to the Dark Hedges allowed us to sit back and relax, giving us the time to appreciate the epic beauty! So far so good, the day had been full-packed with each stop lasting for a respectful amount of time. No time was wasted, so much so, those of us had chosen to have lunch at the Fullerton Arms had already ordered ahead. Our driver assured us that he would ring through our order before we would leave the Dark Hedges. To be honest, the film locations and scenery seen thus far had impressed me much! Sure, McComb's Coaches were onto a winner, B
Northern Ireland had always been the right choice for me, as a part of the 'UK Common Travel Area', the post-Brexit gray area with the Republic of Ireland had me choosing the North without a doubt! McComb's had been selling tours steadily for 2022, if truth be told I felt as if at least the UK would be a sensible place to take a trip within. McComb's Coaches Northern Irish tour programme had me feeling confident, I wanted to make the most of that UK connection because the tour was settled in British Pounds and mobile signal was kept throughout my walk to the Europa Hotel, allowing me to find the coach's pick up location without any issues. Seeing that part of Ireland had me feeling relaxed, the presence of those rolling fields with certain British ties had me sorted and set! As the Dark Hedges approached, it was time to prepare for another 'Games Of Thrones' filming location! Hands down, that countryside drive had served some of the greenest views ever! Now is the time for me to leave this part of the coach tour here. Go, 'Part 2!'
Listen To The Driver!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
