More Than a Stroll: An Update From Ireland

It was a warm one yesterday, at least by Irish standards. The sun poured down as we hit the roads in Northern Ireland. Yesterday, we had a day of “Culture and Heritage.” Last night, I took a moment to check my pedometer. It wasn’t just a stroll. It was a hike. A hike up and down hills, a total of 17,178 steps. They were tough but fun steps as we explored some of the sights Northern Ireland had to offer.

It started with an early morning. First stop, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge - a shaky rope bridge to an island that fisherman have used for the last 300 years to fish for salmon. Though the steps across the bridge were a little timid, we all made it and enjoyed some amazing views. Students were able to stop and rest from the hike while they enjoyed God’s creation and spent time in God’s word. After that, we jumped into the coach and headed to Giant’s Causeway. It is an amazing natural rock formation where there are countless pillars or rocks emerging from the ground in the shape of hexagons. It is almost like a playground where you can climb and enjoy the coastal scenery.

Lastly, we drove to Dunluce Castle. Here, we strolled around and through the old walls of the castle ruins. Dunluce Castle was built around 1500 AD. Considering it is over 500 years old, I’d say she looks pretty good for her age. The day totaled about 7.5 miles of hiking, and we were ready to head back to the church. It was obvious that everyone had a good long day as everyone was quiet and many fell asleep on the coach. A long day – yes, but we wouldn’t change it as we were able to experience some of the culture and history of Northern Ireland.

For the Ireland Family,
Scott