I asked Sue for the first travel-related thing that came into her head when I said the word Green. “Ireland’, she replied, without hesitation, invoking memories of one of our earliest trips together, back in 2002.
Our very first stop upon arriving on the Emerald Isle was Dunluce Castle. This medieval fortress occupies a stunning location on the North Antrim coast, less than five miles west of the Giant’s Causeway. It perches 100 feet above the sea, atop a headland of sheer basalt cliffs, and is only accessible by means of a bridge.
The oldest archaeological evidence of human habitation at Dunluce dates from the 10th Century. The current castle was begun during the late 13th or early 14th Centuries by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, although historical records indicate that it was in the hands of the MacQuillan Clan by 1513.
Ownership of Dunluce Castle passed to the MacDonnell Clan in 1565, after they twice defeated the MacQuillans in battle. Despite temporarily losing the castle more than once, the MacDonnells own Dunluce to this day, even though the building was abandoned in the late 17th Century.
Beneath the castle is a large sea cavern, known as Mermaid’s Cave.
In 1588, the Girona, one of the ships from the ill-fated Spanish Armada, was wrecked on the nearby cliffs. More recently, Dunluce Castle has been used as the basis for the House of Greyjoy in the TV series Game of Thrones.
This post was inspired by the theme Green from Cee (of Cee’s Photography). Apologies for these images being of a lower quality than normal, but our visit to Ireland pre-dated Rich’s first digital camera, so these are scans of actual photographs.
While you’re marvelling over spectacular Dunluce Castle, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal (on WordPress or Bloglovin’), or through my website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr?
And if that’s not enough for you, there are now three Jaspa’s Journey novels to enjoy as ebooks! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!
Beautiful greens!! I adore you photos this week.
Thanks, Cee. I just wish they weren’t scans… I guess I’ll just have to go back and get Rich to take new ones!
Gorgeous greens.
The Irish landscape is very beautiful. The ruins of the Dunluce Castle are impressive. I didn’t know that it has been used as the basis for the House of Greyjoy. I like the TV series Game of Thrones. 🙂
It really is a fantastic castle, Agnes. Scanned photos just don’t do it justice.
Such beautiful scenery! You really captured the beauty of the landscape, Jaspa. 🙂
The scenery is definitely beautiful, Amy. I wish the photos really did it justice.
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The Emerald Isle! … what a great choice for this week’s challenge! ‘Real film’ photos have their own charm I think – I enjoyed the images and your Irish tale 🙂
Thanks, Peggy! I just wish I had photos tha did Ireland justice. To be honest, the scans make me cringe a little!!
Ah, now there’s a good excuse to revisit Ireland! 🙂
Gorgeous – its understandable why this is called the Emerald isle!
Thanks, Ann-Christine. Have you ever been to Ireland?
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Gorgeous scenery…
Thanks very much!
Congratulations! I have selected your post to be featured on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/10/28/cees-fun-foto-challenge-bare-feet-andor-shoes/
I hope you are having a wonderful week.
Thanks, Cee! My week just got even better. And as I’m writing this from a cruise ship in the Caribbean, that’s really saying something! Hope you’ll like this week’s contribution, too.
I would say I am only a small contribution to your wonderful week. I look forward to seeing photos. 🙂
I love these ruins and the green of Ireland.
Me too, Kalyen!
Congratulations! on being one of Cee’s featured bloggers. Ireland is on my bucket list and this place looks amazing 🙂
Thanks, Iris! Dunluce is definitely worth a visit. And the Giant’s Causeway is just couple of miles away, too! I still have a lot of unfinished business in Ireland.
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I love Ireland. And now I remember you…from KidLit! I love your work. Your photos are amazing!
What a great comment, Betty! Have you read any of the Jaspa’s Journey books?