The Causeway's best kept secret

amcinroy

This cave is 5 minutes walk from the visitor centre.

No causeway warden will ever tell you where it is (either they don't know or they don't want to be sued if you die). 500,000 visitors a year to the causeway headlands yet only one other photo of this cave exists online.

PM me if you want directions.

I photographed it a couple of weeks ago.


And the old paintings that inspired me to find it.





Andy
www.skyandstone.com

City-Exile

Andy, you're like one of those exploreres from days gone by.
Respect!

Great picture!
How dangerous was it to get down there?

amcinroy

Thanks for that City Exile.

There is a sneaky side entrance so it's not as dangerous as it looks. But there is still a 20 foot downclimb down some steep natural steps.

And for my next project.....



For this one you need a boat. No photographs exist of it online.

The cave is 60 foot high and nobody knows how deep. I'm working out the logistics right now.

And here's a link to my Cathedral Cave article
http://www.andymcinroy.com/0711note.htm

Andy

Borderfox

Thats excellent, great picture too.

Cabaal

I'd imagine they don't want to get sued for people getting enjured or killed
that next project looks dangerous man, be careful

Really nice shot btw

Benster

Very good shot, pretty difficult to keep detail in both the entrance and the cave wall, I'd say.

It's probably not known by too many as if it get more publicity, you'll get more eejits going down there at the wrong time, ie getting caught by the tides, or wearing high heels or flip-flops, you know the kind. Mind you, if they were that serious about keeping folk out, you'd think they'd fence it off.

Oriel

Andy! You Goonie!
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Exellent gallery by the way. I'm from Antrim myself.
I've been meaning to get up to the coast there for ages, travelling by myself doesn't tempt me though
I'd love to help out with the Dunkerry Cave!

440Hz

More fantastic work Andy!! Love to see your name on a thread, nice to look forward to a treat

amcinroy

Thanks guys,

Oriel, do you have a boat? Or know of an experienced boatman in the area?

Maybe there's a fisherman in Portballintrae who would take me out for a few bob.

Andy

the_syco

Benster wrote: »

Mind you, if they were that serious about keeping folk out, you'd think they'd fence it off.

A fence would attract people, believe it or not. It's like a "do not press" sign over a big red button.

OP, that f**king rocks! (no pun intended)

I'll be sending you a PM for directions if I ever go up that way.

amcinroy

This amusing story relates to Dunkerry cave.

To be sure, he told us how two bold sea-captains, by name Willoughby and Middleton, not content with listening to the manifold echoes of a common musket, must needs bring into this cavern a six-pounder, and how, on discharging it, an immense mass of the roof fell in, whereby their lives were placed in imminent peril.

From THE SCENERY AND ANTIQUITIES OF IRELAND c1841

Andy

watsgone

Wow,

It is something I must see when I go back up north

im...LOST

Lovely shot. It looks like there is a thin layer of fog just on top of the water....

AnCatDubh

oh so good - well done

amcinroy

More scary stuff on Dunkerry

Its extent into the land has not been ascertained, owing to the contraction of the sides to a mysterious cleft, through which the waves are heard rolling and roar-ing to a dark, deep distance
Picturesque Ireland; a Literary and Artistic Delineation of Its Scenery, Antiquities, Buildings, Abbeys Etc. - Savage, John (editor) 1884

amcinroy

And more


a piper who, one day, when the tide was out, wandered into the furthest recesses, no doubt curious to ascertain, in these secret solitudes, the peculiar sound of his romantic instrument. Engaged in the delights of his sweet craft, he wandered on and on, none could tell whither, for he never came out; nor were there ever any tidings of him, save that while the people were at prayers in the church of Ballintoy, and just as the clerk was about giving out the first Psalm, the sound of bagpipes was heard underground, and tunes were recognised rising up from beneath, which were rather unsuitable to the solemnity of the place."

templeathea

Thats a lovely shot. Very atmospheric.

Rojo

Really cool project you've got going! That photo is ace

Oriel

amcinroy wrote: »

Oriel, do you have a boat? Or know of an experienced boatman in the area?

I know a guy with a boat, but not it that area. Would be a bit to dangerous for him.
It would be pretty difficiult to get a boat in there by the looks of it.
Have you got a map of the area?

TJM

A superb piece of photography and history. Well done.

City-Exile

amcinroy wrote: »

Oriel, do you have a boat? Or know of an experienced boatman in the area?

Come on, Andy. Make it a real adventure. Steal a boat!
It's almost like a grown-up version of The Famous Five.

amcinroy

Oriel,

Could be a bit tricky now the swells are up. I'll need to find a local boatman me thinks.

He'll also need to be able to steady the boat enought so that I can get off the boat and up onto a ledge with my tripod. Capsizing in here might well be a tricky situation.

Cite-Exile. That's adventure enough without having to watch my back for the boat cops too.

Andy

City-Exile

amcinroy wrote: »

He'll also need to be able to steady the boat enought so that I can get off the boat and up onto a ledge with my tripod. Capsizing in here might well be a tricky situation.

Make sure you have everything strapped to your back.
Also, seal everything in ziploc plastic bags.
It will give you a little more protection.

rahtkennades

[QUOTE=City-Exile;54263238Also, seal everything in ziploc plastic bags.
.[/QUOTE]

Or buy a dry bag like this one (though you'll get it cheaper than that in a camping or army surplus store)

You can leave an air pocket so it'll float too!

Fenster

Nice one.

JMcL

amcinroy wrote: »

He'll also need to be able to steady the boat enought so that I can get off the boat and up onto a ledge with my tripod. Capsizing in here might well be a tricky situation.

Andy, you're determined to test the weather sealing on you K10D to the limit aren't you!

TJM

Here's another cave shot with a Pentax - the Blue Grotto in Capri: