Page 174 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

Dunluce Castle is connected to the
mainland via a small bridge. The Mc-
Quillans controlled the castle until it
was taken over by the MacDonnells in
1554. Archaeologists have unearthed
horseshoes, a wine glass stem, even
coins. It once inspired writer C.S. Lewis
and now inspires a setting in HBO’s
Game of Thrones.

I first met Rodgers far from the shores of Northern ern Ireland. Another tour, I imagined.
Ireland. Across an Atlanta hotel conference room It was a bitterly cold December morning in North-
filled with a sea of tourism professionals stood a man ern Ireland as my family and I walked from Bushmills
towering over the rest, wearing a blue and green kilt Inn to meet Rodgers. Quietly questioning his deci-
(the Causeway Tartan), arms folded in front, standing sion that my husband be the driver, five hefty adults
quietly. Expecting nothing more than a sales pitch, I squeezed into a tiny Ford. For the next three days, we
navigated through each destination’s representative, searched for ancient history and modern lore (Game
ending with the man in the kilt. Not realizing what this of Thrones), drank soothing teas plus the occasional
connection would come to mean, I made a date for me Irish coffees, and chattered incessantly of our families,
and my family to meet him in a month’s time in North- loves and dreams.

174 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018