Ballintoy [1] is a small village located in Northern Ireland in the County Antrim along the beautiful B15 coast road. I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks here, house sitting for Harold and Alice Morden who were in Italy on vacation. Harold was my high school math teacher over 15 years ago and whom I've kept in touch with over the years. When Jamie and I had passed through Northern Ireland last month [2] we'd spent an afternoon with them, during which they kindly offered their place to me while they were away.

Their house overlooks the Atlantic ocean with a beautiful view of the cliff's of Sheep Island, Rathlin Island a little further in the distance, and some Scottish islands and the Scottish mainland even further in the distance. Staying here provided me a chance to catch up on much needed rest and on work. I got out for a couple of hikes along the amazing coastline, though not as much as I'd have liked due to being sick for much of my stay. From here I'm headed to Sweden, and then Italy.

Ballintoy

The 2001 census listed 165 people living in Ballintoy, a small village along a stretch of breathtakingly beautiful coastline. There's two pubs, two churches and a post office in the village.

Home

Harold and Alice's house is at the top of Larrybane Park, offering a nice view of the ocean. It was a wonderful, quiet place to call home for the few weeks I stayed in Ballintoy.

Fogged In

I picked a foggy day to venture up the hill behind Ballintoy, walking through fields of sheep divided with old rock fences and newer wire fences. It was otherwise a beautiful sunny day.

Causeway Coast Path

Toward the end of my stay I set off along the Causeway Coast Path which runs all the way from Ballintoy's carrick-a-rede rope bridge to the Giant's Causeway. Some of the most impressive coastline is right outside of the Ballintoy Harbor.

Farmland

The Coast Path leads you sometimes right along the beach, and at other times through farmland full of sheep. When passing through farmland you frequently have to step over fences along the way.

Portbraddan

Further along the Coast Path you end up on a massive white sand beach called White Park Bay. That's the tiny village of Portbraddan in the distance.

Arch

There are numerous arches visible along the Coast Path, one of which the trail actually leads you right through.

Coastline

I turned around shortly after Portbraddan, but the beautiful coastline continued as far as I could see.

White Park Bay, West

A view of White Park Bay from above on the B15 coast road.

White Park Bay, East

Another view, looking east back toward Ballintoy. Way in the distance toward the left side of the photo you can see some Scottish Islands.