Mussenden Temple, Downhill, County Derry (November 2014)

I guess many photographs have been taken of Mussenden Temple, its used continually in almost all of Northern Ireland tourist advertisements, its iconic image likely known the world over. But even for someone who lives in the country, its still a pretty impressive sight to see, and its really worth the trek up to see it. What we did was drive to Castlerock (the seaside town at the opposite side of the headland – also worth checking out) and walked all the way up, crossing the valley below via the small dam like structure at the pool. You see much more of the cliffs and impressive approach to the entire Downhill Demesne this way.

Coming from Castlerock, one of your first sights of the temple.

Some impressive cliffs before you reach there.

Looking back towards Castlerock beach in the distance.

From the far side of the valley here, you can see how the trains enter the tunnel underneath the temple. Don’t ever try taking a shortcut through this tunnel to get to Downhill beach on the other side however. Theres a high chance you could be killed. At Downhill these are the two longest tunnels on Northern Ireland’s railway network and its pitch dark inside. If a train were to come (while you were in there) you’d never get out.

This is a panoramic pic I took of the temple and Downhill House (will be posting it later) showing the distance between them. Obviously the quality is a little lower as you have to pan the camera to get these stills. But not bad for my little compact.

Getting closer now (heed the sign) if you walk towards the left of this picture you will see a pool and a small dam below. Thats where you cross to climb up to the other side. Don’t worry, it looks much harder than it actually is lol.

Cross over here.

You’ll see this sign.

The temple. Which I suppose isn’t too impressive until you walk around the back and get a glimpse of this….

Yup, a real wow moment. Even on a dull November day like today.

A wider shot of the gorgeous Downhill Strand below. Not a bad view for a picture taken just 4 weeks before Christmas 🙂

Theres a wall that gives visitors protection from certain death with a fall up here. Not for climbing on haha.

Heading back, and goodbye to Mussenden Temple.

Tamlaghtard Church, Cemetery, and School, County Derry

Its hard to know where to locate this church based on what it says on Google. Some sites state its in Bellarena, others near Limavady, and some in Magilligan. Safe to say its in County Derry however (parish of Tamlaghtard), and sits just below the stunning Binevenagh plateau. Tamlaghtard is said to mean “the cemetery on the height” which is hardly surprising based on its position. It was built somewhere around 1784 and has a wonderful setting in this designated area of outstanding natural beauty. You can see the little church clearly in the distance if you travel from Castlerock to Derry by train. The denomination here is Church of Ireland, and the grounds contain an old school (now abandoned) which may have doubled up as a robing room. There is also a (creepy) tomb of sorts at the back of the attached cemetery which you can see below.

Tamlaghtard Church. Simply lovely location.

Seen from the front on an early Winter morning 2014.

A distant plane leaves for places afar, above Tamlaghtard Church.

The attached old graveyard, with the imposing Binevenagh cliffs towering behind.

At the very back of the old graveyard lies this tomb in the right hand corner.

One of the headstones on the tomb.

The door was open.

A look inside.

These stone coffins were old based on the dates.

Pretty creepy in here.

In front of the church is this little building which apparently is an old abandoned school (if anyone knows more let me know).

The front of the “school” – the door at the back had blown off in the wind it seemed…

We had a look inside. Very dark, very creepy.

With the flash on, things became much more illuminated.

A little desk. We didnt touch or move anything for the few minutes we had a look inside.

The paint and windows from inside.

Somebody didn’t want anyone to come in this door, that’s for sure.

Obviously electrics had been added at some time. The building is mentioned as being used as a robing room as far back as the late 19th century. Apart from that, the internet seems to give up nothing else about the building. Those little coat hooks on the wall could probably tell a story though.

Is that the book from the Evil Dead movie on the ceiling? I hope not lol.

Time to leave Tamlaghtard Church. So many more things to see in this area.

Creightons Woods, North Down, County Down

Having lived in this area for over 10 years now, it came as a bit of a surprise to go for a drive a few days ago and discover a place Id never seen before, literally 15 minutes from my home. Theres almost nothing about Creightons Wood on Google in terms of information or location, and judging by the condition of the place it seems as if it doesn’t see many visitors these days. The sign at the entrance is badly rotting, and many of the trees have fallen over and are diseased. Such a shame, as on this mild November morning I had the whole place to myself and didn’t see any wildlife in there, not even a bird (which felt slightly weird!). The woods are hundreds of feet above sea level (which is at Belfast Lough below). As the wind blew that morning it made an eerie wailing noise through the trees, really fantastic stuff. There were many varieties of mushroom growing there too, none Id take a chance on eating however, as I’m not at all educated on all things fungi. But I hope to visit this abandoned and melancholy place again soon.

The old sign into the woods. An old poster of a lost dog remains stuck to one leg of it. I wonder was he ever found?

Trees tower high into the November sky. Not a sound but the wailing wind.

Many trees have fallen over a long time ago it seems. Leaving big pools of dark water where their roots used to be.

Strangely, parts of the woods seemed to be flourishing too however, with a stream here bursting with green leafy life even at the edge of an oncoming Winter.

Another tree sits precariously after falling, and a green blanket of moss covers the foreground in Creightons Wood.

A circle of mushrooms.

Picture taken from the top of a big mushroom.

A fungi giant. If I had know he was edible I would have taken him home.

Looks like someone in the past had placed a piece of old picket fence to cross the stream.

The roots and base of a fallen tree looks like some creepy witch figure here.

No, not a six foot long piece of broccoli, but a little fallen tree covered in moss.

Flooded land at Creightons Wood. November 2014.

Belfast Graffiti Art

When it comes to Belfast many know about the paramilitary murals of The Falls and Shankill Road etc which arose out of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Many tourists now come here and pay to take a tour around these murals (most are in economically deprived areas), but its really only a small minority of Northern Ireland residents that actually want these tainted relics of our past to remain. With that in mind, while in Belfast yesterday (unfortunately without my camera), I decided to take a few pictures with my mobile phone to show the other side of street art here. Many of these pieces of graffiti were given the green light by local authorities to brighten up some of the more run down streets in the city. I quite like them.

This is a huge painting on a gable end wall in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast

Another giant piece of graffiti on an end wall near St Annes Cathedral

Very psychedelic this one

Psychonautes

Looks a little like Bjork to me.

This one is quite high up over the old Garfield Bar

Beside the one above

Mind the gas.

This one is slightly hidden behind a tree across the road from Aether & Echo on Lower Garfield St.

This phoenix sits over the doorway of the old North Street Arcade in Belfast possibly hinting at a revival of whats inside. There was a fire here 10yrs ago destroying the entire interior. If you look here: http://www.rainfallsup.com/ARCADE/arcade_pictures.htm you can see what it looked like before the fire, and what it looks like now – pretty shocking stuff in a city center. That said, its heyday had probably gone when the fire took place, but the whole area sits as a dreadful eyesore currently.

What mythical tale does this one tell?

Sci-fi comic stuff

Pretty classical graffiti in North Street

A barbers shop in North Street

Hmm…. Is this Neil Diamond?

Skullduggery

Its in the eyes

No tribal politics here – just tribal art 🙂