Northern Ireland, Antrim Hills
The Antrim Hills are located on the east coast of Northern Ireland and, sometimes referred to as the Antrim Plateau, the hills were formed from volcanic action. In the case of the Antrim Hills, the lava/magma flowed to the surface and, as it cooled, it formed small crystalline rock known as basalt. Any soil that exists higher in the hills tends to be of poor nutrient value. Peat moss is harvested as peat logs in some areas of the Antrim Hills. Erosion action has formed the nine glens of Antrim. Peak elevation is approximately 360m.
Glendun: We started our exploration of the Glens of Antrim by traveling up the road along the Dun River. Weather while we were there threatened rain most of the time and finally began raining when we were following the trail down the Glenariff River.
Looking back down towards the east coast of Northern Ireland
Foxglove in Glendun
Lots of rain equals lots of water equals lots of streams in the hills of Antrim.
Fireweed in Glendun
Slieveanorra National Nature Reserve as seen from the top of Sleiveanorra Mountain (1676 ft).
Moyle Way is a distance walking path from Ballycastle to Glenariff and cuts across five of the Glens of Antrim.
Typical state of the undergrowth in the forested areas.
Fire dam locations gathered pools of water to be used in the case of forest fires.
Obviously Red Admiral Butterflies can’t read! 🙂
Peat moss is cored from the ground and piled like this on the hillside until it is dry and then it is transported to thee harvesters shed where it will be ready for use as a fuel in the winter.
Mr. McAlister’s wagon load of dried peat. Over the years, Mr. McAlister (sp?) and his tractor have harvested many a load of dried peat for stoking a winter fire.
I watched as tractor and peat disappeared over the hill in the distance.
Bryvore Bridge
Glenariff: The Inver River joins the Glenariff River and from there water flows to Cushenden and the sea.
One of many smaller falls on the Glenariff River in the Glenariff Forest Park.
Falls on the Glenariff River near the rainbow Bridge in Glenariff Forest Park.
Shamrocks but no leprechauns. Rain was threatening but no rainbows, no pots of gold and no leprechauns could be found on this trail along the banks of the Glenariff River.
Steps down to the falls on the Glenariff River in Glenariff Forest Park.
Heavy rains in recent days ensured that we were treated to many small waterfalls on the Glenariff River and kept the moss good and green.
Ess-Na-Larach Falls on the Glenariff River in Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, NI.
Ess-Na-Crub Falls on the Inver River in the Glenariff Forest Park County Antrim NI
Cushendall, NI:
