The Dark Hedges is a unique stretch of the Bregagh Road near Armoy, in Ireland, that looks like something from a Tim Burton movie. Over the past 300 years or so, the Beech trees guarding either side of the lane have reached up and across to each other, becoming heavily intertwined to create a natural arched tunnel where shadow and light plays through entwined branches.
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House, which is now a golf club. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland.
Legend tells that a supernatural ‘Grey Lady’ haunts the thin ribbon of road that winds beneath the ancient beech trees. She silently glides along the roadside and vanishes as she passes the last beech tree. Some say the specter is the ghost of a maid from the nearby house who died in mysterious circumstances centuries ago. Others believe that she is a lost spirit from an abandoned graveyard that is thought to lie hidden in the fields nearby. On Halloween night, the forgotten graves are said to open and the Grey Lady is joined on her walk by the tormented souls of those who were buried beside her.
Source: VisitBallMoney
Also see: Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine
Gorgeous place & photographs, I want to go there!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather 4 times removed came from County Antrium. I hope to visit in the spring of 2013. This looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures! Ireland is famous for its scenic beauty and landscapes. I am planning for vacationing there. I want to experience the nature.
ReplyDeleteI'll go in Ireland in March..and i hope to find out this amazing place..I cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteI've had to tell people for ages that the pic before the last one is not photoshopped! Everybody assumes it is...
ReplyDeleteI went there last week on a visit home. Worth seeing and not too far from Benone beach, Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway. Worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtakingly achingly beautiful. And the last photo is so tender, yet has a hint of Grimm's in it. Thanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteWonderful.images
ReplyDeleteThe place and the road is very beautiful. I hope to visit there someday....
ReplyDeleteWould love to visit Ireland. So many beautiful places like this.
ReplyDeleteI can be a guide to you. I am here already :)
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