|
Protected by Sheep Island and
a shallow reef, the bay of Larrybane is one of the most sheltered locations along the north coast - During the early part of this century
a trawler named the 'George' on its way back from the Icelandic fishing grounds and
bound for Fleetwood rounded Sheep Island in dense fog, ran
aground on the reef and sank - local stories still tell of the Captain
mistaking the island for Bull Point on Rathlin
Island. If you are adventurous and would like to see some rare
stalagmites, then a walk along the base of the cliffs
towards
the rope bridge will bring you to a small cave where these
calcite pillars can be found along with native ferns - situated mid way along the boulder strewn shoreline
that so inspired
Larry Bane himself, summer adventurers to the spot should be aware
that the well trod pathway to the rope bridge skirts the cliffs, above you
the daily passage of visitors takes place to and from the rope bridge
which results in the odd can or stone being dispatched from time to
time by unaware hands. Again, like the large dolmen above Whitepark
Bay, it is unfortunate that a minority of people have no respect for the natural
environment, mindlessly leaving behind their garbage. A precarious cliff path once negotiated a
way down the
face of the cliffs, ending in a wooden ladder
which stretched the final four metres - it was used by local
people to bypass the quarry workings to access fishing and
beachcombing along the
shore. Many
years of blasting at the quarry resulted in the cliff area being
widely fractured leaving it prone to rock falls which are clearly evident on the cliffs of
Boheshane Bay - between Larrybane Head and Ballintoy
harbour. The quarry now has a unique industrial archaeology feel
to it - with a silence and scenic beauty more intriguing than
the rope bridge itself. If the car park is empty or it is out of season and
no attendants are on duty, you would be advised to take your valuables with you as
there has been one or two incidences of car break-ins
-
the chances of it happening are slight but you should
be aware of this fact.
|
.jpg)
