Some of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal scenery unfolds along County Antrim’s windswept shores. This stunning stretch of Northern Ireland draws visitors year-round with its dramatic cliffs, charming villages, and legendary landmarks – a captivating contrast to the region’s quieter corners.
Follow the A2 coastal route north from Larne ferry port through postcard-perfect settlements like Carnlough and Cushendall, all nestled within the lush Antrim Glens. From Ballycastle harbor, adventurous spirits can hop a boat to rugged Rathlin Island. Further west along the coast, cliffside paths lead to nature’s architectural marvel: the extraordinary basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway. Don’t miss the cheerful seaside energy of Portrush or, crossing into Derry, its elegant neighbor Portstewart.
Coastal Treasures Beyond Antrim
County Derry’s shoreline rivals its neighbor with golden beaches framed by Mount Binevenagh’s slopes and the curious Mussenden Temple perched dramatically above the waves. The vibrant city of Derry invites exploration too – its historic center still encircled by Europe’s most intact city walls.
Inland Derry offers its own rewards. The landscape grows wilder near the Sperrin Mountains around Dungiven, while the Lough Neagh basin reveals fascinating Plantation-era towns like Magherafelt and Moneymore. Every twist in the road brings new discoveries.
Discovering Northern Charm: Belfast to Larne
The coastal stretch north from Belfast transforms from suburban vistas into open countryside as you journey toward Antrim’s star attractions. Your first notable stop comes at Carrickfergus, where an imposing Norman castle dominates the waterfront – one of Ireland’s earliest and best-preserved strongholds.
Continuing north brings you to bustling Larne, Northern Ireland’s gateway port with ferry connections to Scotland. Just beyond town, pause at Carnfunnock Country Park where coastal walks mingle with quirky attractions: wander through scented walled gardens, challenge friends to mini-golf, or decode sundials in the unique Time Garden.
Enchanted Glens & Island Escapes
The Nine Glens of Antrim reveal a land where emerald valleys tumble seaward to meet quaint fishing villages. Until the 1830s coast road connected them, these hidden valleys lived in splendid isolation despite their proximity to Scotland.
Carnlough’s Limestone Legacy
At Glencloy’s foot lies Carnlough, where imposing limestone structures whisper tales of its industrial past. Don’t miss the arched railway bridge spanning the village center – a reminder of trains that once carried stone to the picturesque harbor below.
The Heartbeat of the Glens: Cushendall
Nestled where three valleys meet the sea, Cushendall charms visitors with its pastel buildings and sandstone “Curfew Tower” at its center. Time your visit for August’s Heart of the Glens Festival when the village erupts in music sessions, sporting events, and vibrant street ceilidhs.
Ballycastle’s Timeless Traditions
This lively hub at Antrim’s northern tip comes alive during the legendary Ould Lammas Fair each August. Join locals savoring dulse (purple seaweed) and cracking golden slabs of yellowman toffee – Ireland’s oldest fair celebrates its 414th anniversary in 2024!
Northern Splendor: The Causeway Coast
West of Ballycastle unfolds Northern Ireland’s showstopping coastline. Test your nerve crossing the swaying Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge before witnessing geological wizardry at Giant’s Causeway’s hexagonal columns.
Nearby, Bushmills Distillery tempts whiskey enthusiasts while the cliff-clinging ruins of Dunluce Castle fuel pirate fantasies. As you journey west, energetic Portrush offers classic seaside fun with sandy beaches, coastal walks, and a legendary nightlife scene energized by university students.
From Larne’s ferry terminals to Derry’s historic walls, Northern Ireland’s coastline delivers nonstop wonder. Whether you’re drawn to geological marvels, seaside villages frozen in time, or lively coastal resorts, this spectacular stretch of shore promises unforgettable adventures at every turn. So pack your sense of wonder – and a sturdy pair of walking shoes!
Discover Northern County Derry’s Coastal Magic
Journey west from Portrush along the A2 coastal road and prepare to be dazzled by County Derry’s wild Atlantic beauty. This spectacular route winds past golden sands like Portstewart Strand, crosses the River Bann, and treats travelers to jaw-dropping vistas from Mussenden Temple’s cliff-edge perch. The landscapes shift dramatically as you approach Limavady, where remnants of Georgian architecture whisper tales of bygone eras.
Portstewart: Coastal Elegance Meets Surfers’ Paradise
Portstewart outshines its neighbor Portrush with Victorian grace and breathtaking location. Picture this: a mile-long beach where locals drive right onto the firm sand, creating Ireland’s most unexpected coastal highway. Beyond the surf-ready waves (some of the country’s best!), the cliff walk offers bracing sea air and Gothic architecture. Don’t miss the Dominican college mansion – it’s like stepping into a Brontë novel with ocean views.
Downhill’s Dramatic Ruins & Mussenden Temple
Just west of Castlerock, ornate gates reveal the storybook ruins of Downhill Palace. Built by Frederick Hervey – the 18th-century “Earl-Bishop” who inspired Europe’s Hotel Bristol chain – this mansion hosted America’s WWII troops before fading into romantic decay. But the real showstopper? Mussenden Temple, gripping the eroding cliffs like a divine daredevil. This domed marvel, modeled after Rome’s Temple of Vesta, started as a memorial and became Ireland’s most scenic library. Pro tip: Catch sunset here when the inscription (“…winds whip up the waves…”) glows golden against crashing surf below.
The Bishop’s Road rewards adventurous drivers with Mount Binevenagh’s panoramic views. Today, conservationists protect falcons that ride these thermals – nature’s own aerial acrobatics show.
Derry’s Unbreakable Spirit: The Siege That Shaped History
The walls of Derry tell a 1689 survival saga that still echoes through Northern Ireland. When Catholic King James II’s forces encircled the city, Protestant defenders endured a brutal 105-day siege – Britain’s longest. Imagine 30,000 people trapped within walls meant for 2,000, reduced to eating rodents before relief ships broke through. This defiance changed the course of the Battle of the Boyne. Today, walk these historic ramparts starting at Guildhall Square, where stained glass transforms civic walls into storytelling masterpieces.
Walking Through History: Derry’s Iconic Walls
Peer through cannon muzzles near Shipquay Gate where defenders once stood watch. The Tower Museum in O’Doherty Tower reveals even more gripping tales – especially its “Armada Treasure” exhibit displaying gold from the 1588 Spanish wreck La Trinidad Valencera. It’s history you can literally touch.
Southern County Derry’s Hidden Gems
Follow the A6 south from Derry into rolling farmlands where history and nature collide. Dungiven’s restored castle-turned-guesthouse offers Sperrins Mountain views plus quirky history – it once hosted WWII dances and a rebel parliament attempt. Further east, planned towns Magherafelt and Moneymore lead to majestic Springhill Estate. But the crown jewel? Lough Neagh, Ireland’s massive freshwater sea teeming with fish and ringed by bird sanctuaries.
Dungiven Castle: From Clan Stronghold to Luxury Retreat
Once the O’Cahan clan’s fortress, Dungiven Castle now welcomes travelers with 22 acres of parkland and gourmet dining. Its walls have seen centuries of drama – from American GIs jitterbugging in the 1940s to political upheavals in the 1970s. The restored Augustinian Priory nearby offers peaceful contrast with beautifully carved tombs.
Lough Neagh: Ireland’s Inland Ocean
Feel the scale of Ireland at mighty Lough Neagh, where five counties meet along shores rich in wildlife. Birdwatchers flock here for wintering whooper swans, while anglers pursue legendary dollaghan trout. Don’t miss the lough’s secret: tiny islands with monastic ruins where medieval hermits sought solitude.
Imagine casting your line into the shimmering waters near Coleraine, where legendary dollaghan trout – found nowhere else on earth – dart beneath the surface. These mighty fish, growing up to three pounds annually, share these waters with salmon, offering anglers heart-pounding action from mid-July through October. Whether you prefer spinning, worming, or fly-fishing with legendary local patterns like the Ballinderry Black, don’t forget your Fisheries Conservation Board Rod Licence (grab one at tourist offices). The Lough Neagh Angling Association can hook you up with day tickets and unforgettable boat trips across these storied waters.
Bellaghy Bawn: Where Stone Meets Verse
Step into history at Bellaghy Bawn, a remarkably preserved plantation castle built in 1618. Though its battlements faded after 1641, its circular flanker tower still stands guard – now home to captivating exhibits spanning 7,000 years of local heritage. Discover how medieval village plots still shape Bellaghy’s streets today and explore the rich ecosystem of Lough Beg’s wetlands.
But the true magic lies in the castle’s tribute to Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney, who grew up breathing this landscape. Through his film A Sense of Place, Heaney’s voice fills the tower as he weaves childhood memories into poetry – like herding cattle down Castle Street to Lough Beg’s grazing fields. Original manuscript pages and rare editions in the Bawn’s library offer an intimate look at how this land became literature.
Follow in Heaney’s footsteps to Lough Beg itself, where summer’s retreating waters reveal Church Island. Walk among ancient graves and the shell of a medieval church, said to have hosted St. Patrick. Don’t miss the quirky 1788 spire added by eccentric Earl-Bishop Hervey – who dreamed of a 365-window mansion, now crumbling nearby at Ballyscullion.
Time Capsule Towns: Northern Ireland’s Plantation Legacy
Journey southeast through history in perfectly preserved plantation towns like Magherafelt and Money more, their central “Diamonds” still pulsing with centuries-old planning. Magherafelt makes an ideal base for exploring Lough Neagh’s shores, while Money more astonishes visitors with its trailblazing past – boasting Ireland’s first piped water system back in 1615.
Just outside Money more, Springhill Estate whispers stories through its 17th-century walls. Built to seal a marriage pact, this whitewashed beauty showcases period furnishings and a ghostly secret – the Blue Room’s spectral resident Olivia. Wander through costume-filled stables changing exhibitions yearly, fragrant gardens, and woodland trails where a 1730s tower stands sentinel.
Seamus Heaney: The Land’s Living Voice
No poet captures place like Seamus Heaney (1939-2013), born amidst the mossy fields near Bellaghy. His Catholic upbringing in Northern Ireland’s political tension – coupled with literary awakenings at Queen’s University – forged verse that digs deep into Irish soil and soul. Early collections like Death of a Naturalist (1966) rooted his reputation in earthy, rhythmic power.
The Troubles stirred Heaney to co-found the revolutionary Field Day Theatre Company, though he later sought peace in Wicklow – branded a “papist propagandist” by critics. His career blossomed with medieval-inspired works like Sweeney Astray and the pilgrimage reflections in Station Island. Despite controversies, Heaney’s accessible, charged words – plus his legendary warmth – secured his Nobel Prize and global love.
Today, traces of Heaney’s journey linger everywhere from Lough Beg’s shorelines to Bellaghy Bawn’s exhibits. His poetry remains a living map to Northern Ireland’s heart – one whispered breeze through barley fields at a time.
Northern Ireland’s Nobel Laureate
The world finally caught up with Seamus Heaney’s genius when the beloved Irish poet received literature’s highest honor – the Nobel Prize. His masterful translation of Beowulf deserves special mention, transforming the ancient Anglo-Saxon epic into vibrant, accessible verse that captivated modern readers. Just three years before his passing, Heaney claimed another prestigious accolade when his collection District and Circle won the T.S. Eliot Prize in 2006, cementing his legacy as one of our era’s most vital poetic voices.
Derry: A City at the Crossroads
Perched where the Foyle River meets Lough Foyle, Derry pulses with energy and history. This bustling crossroads city has welcomed (and waved goodbye to) countless souls – especially during the mass exodus of the Great Famine. Today, Northern Ireland’s second city boasts a distinctly different vibe from Belfast, thanks partly to its majority Catholic population.
You’ll notice something interesting about the city’s welcome signs. While Irish-language inscriptions greet visitors with “Derry,” many maps and official documents still use “Londonderry” – a nod to the complex history that earned this place the nickname “Stroke City.” But ask any local, regardless of background, and you’ll hear them proudly call their home “Derry.”
Though Derry’s name may evoke memories of the Troubles for international audiences, the city has transformed into a beacon of optimism. Picture pastel-hued houses climbing two hillsides, their slopes crowned by graceful church spires. The magnificent 17th-century walls – some of Europe’s best-preserved fortifications – encircle the historic heart where medieval street patterns still guide your footsteps. Walk these ancient ramparts and you’ll gaze across to the Bogside neighborhood, where powerful murals recount chapters from Derry’s recent past.
From Ancient Oaks to Modern Resilience
Long before its plantation-era walls rose, Derry’s story began as Doire Calgaigh – the oakwood of Calgach, named for a mythical warrior. The 17th century brought seismic changes: London investors bankrolled a new walled city, rebranding it Londonderry in 1613. These walls would face their ultimate test during the famous 1688 Siege, a siege so pivotal that many descendants of its survivors became American pioneers.
Derry blossomed during the 1800s as a shirt-making powerhouse, with over half of Britain’s collars and cuffs produced here by 1900. But partition amputated the city from its natural economic hinterland, while global competition eventually erased its textile industry. The Troubles then etched new scars – none deeper than the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, when British paratroopers killed fourteen civilians during a civil rights march.
Today’s Derry will surprise you – a cultural hub where cutting-edge theaters like the Millennium Forum stand alongside vibrant riverside promenades. Yet the invisible divide persists: predominantly Catholic neighborhoods west of the Foyle, mainly Protestant communities to the east.
Bloody Sunday: From Tragedy to Truth
The iconic “Free Derry” mural marks where the Bogside’s Catholic neighborhood became an IRA stronghold during the Troubles’ early years. Here, the Bloody Sunday Memorial stands solemn tribute to the fourteen civilians killed by British troops during that fateful 1972 protest. For decades, the Widgery Report’s whitewash denial of responsibility poisoned community relations – until the Saville Inquiry’s 2010 findings finally delivered long-awaited truth and sparked a national apology from the British Prime Minister.
As you explore modern Derry’s lively streets and peaceful walls, you witness a city still healing but fiercely proud. The murals tell stories of struggle, the cafes buzz with creative energy, and the mighty Foyle keeps flowing – a living reminder that history moves forward, one conversation at a time.
The Giant’s Causeway: Nature’s Stone Symphony
Imagine 37,000 geometric basalt columns stepping into the ocean like nature’s own staircase. Welcome to Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s captivated explorers since 1693 when the Royal Society declared it a wonder of the natural world. This mesmerizing landscape became Europe’s must-see destination after artist Susanna Drury immortalized its jagged beauty in romantic 18th-century paintings now displayed in Belfast’s Ulster Museum.
The Giant’s Causeway’s iconic basalt formations © Kanuman/Shutterstock
Not every visitor has been swept off their feet. Victorian author William Thackeray famously griped after his 1842 visit: “I’ve travelled a hundred and fifty miles to see that?” He particularly disliked the eager local guides who would “pounce upon” travelers exiting the inn. While today’s experience is less mercenary, the Causeway still welcomes nearly a million visitors annually who come to witness this geological marvel.
Standing amidst this forest of basalt columns feels like walking through nature’s sculpture garden. Formed 60 million years ago during intense volcanic activity stretching from Northern Ireland to Scotland’s Isle of Mull, these strange hexagonal pillars were created when rapidly cooling lava solidified into perfect polygonal forms. The precision of the 5-10 sided columns makes you question whether ancient giants rather than geology shaped this mystical shoreline.
Experience the Causeway Like a Local
Skip the crowded main path and minibus from the visitor center. For the ultimate Causeway experience, take our favorite scenic loop:
- Follow the cinder path behind the visitor center with breathtaking cliff-top views
- Watch seabirds soar from Scotland’s Ailsa Craig 30 miles across the sea
- Descend the famous 162 steps to sea level for dramatic up-close encounters
West leads to the main causeway columns while north reveals extraordinary formations. Marvel at the 39-foot Organ Pipes – vertical basalt columns resembling cathedral pipes. Guides still spin tales about the Harp and Lord Antrim’s Parlour, but nothing prepares you for Chimney Point’s impossible geology. This bizarre stack tragically fooled Spanish Armada sailors in 1588, who mistook it for Dunluce Castle and wrecked their ship at Port-na-Spánaigh – artifacts now displayed in Belfast and Derry museums.
Finn McCool: The Giant Behind the Myth
Local folklore offers a more colorful origin story than geology textbooks. Meet Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool), the Ulster giant who supposedly built this causeway to either:
- Reach his Scottish giantess lover on Staffa Island
- Escape a Scottish rival, using his clever wife’s trick with an oversized baby cradle
Whichever legend you prefer, they add magical dimension to this already extraordinary landscape.
Rathlin Island: The Edge of Ireland
Just 5 miles north of Ballycastle lies the rugged beauty of Rathlin Island – a seven-shaped outcrop where Ireland literally crumbles into the sea. This windswept sanctuary shelters just 100 residents in Church Quarter, surrounded by:
- Dramatic coastal cliffs dotted with nesting seabirds
- Three iconic lighthouses marking its tips
- Ancient stone walls whispering of busier times
Wild and remote but easily accessible by ferry, Rathlin offers the perfect extension to your Giant’s Causeway adventure. Watch wind turbines harvest Atlantic breezes and imagine Spanish Armada ships seeking refuge in these treacherous waters centuries ago.
From its volcanic birth to the legends that give it life, the Giant’s Causeway remains one of Ireland’s most spellbinding natural attractions. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, folklore lover or simply seeking breathtaking scenery, these interlocked stone columns create an experience that truly transcends time.
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