Sightseeing
The Dark Hedges
The intertwining beech trees on this avenue are over 200 years old and were planted by the Stuart family to impress visitors as they approached Gracehill House.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
Follow in the footsteps of generations of salmon fishermen across the exhilarating Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and down to the whitewashed, stone-built fisherman’s cottage that has provided shelter and a place to rest for the men who once earned their living here. Immerse yourself in stories of a fishing industry that sustained generations of local families. Try your hand at tying knots with a rope and get the feel of just how heavy those sacks of salmon really were. Take time to enjoy the stunning views and embrace the tranquillity of this magical little place.
Old Bushmills Distillery
Take the slow road to the Giant’s Causeway and hear all about this amazing World Heritage Site and of course the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Your story telling guides will immerse you in tales of the great legend of Finn McCool and stories of a bygone era where the winding River Bush connects basalt and whiskey. Sheltered amongst the majestic columns, you can enjoy the waves and views. It’s also a fitting place to toast our famous giant with an exclusive 12-year-old malt.
Ballintoy
Accessed by a spectacular, steep winding road, it is a painter’s paradise with sea stacks, rocky islands, pools and a busy harbour, leading to one of Europe’s great cliff-top and wild beach walks. A large car park and picnic facilities are available beside the harbour café harbour.
Ballycastle
Murlough Bay
Buzzards and peregrine falcons hunt along the cliff tops at Murlough Bay, while eider and fulmar skirt along the bottom. There are different level car parks and picnic areas to enjoy the breath-taking views.
Cushendall
Gobbins Visitor Centre
Knocklayde Mountain
Bonamargy
Built by Rory McQuillan, the friary was claimed by the MacDonnell Clan in the 16th Century. It contains a sealed burial vault, wherein lie the coffins of several Earls of Ulster and chieftain, Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Auld Lammas Fair
The Auld Lammas Fair is a traditional fair held in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. It is associated with the Lammas harvest festival. The fair has been running for nearly 400 years, dating back to the 17th century. Various goods are traditionally sold at the fair. These include livestock and traditional foods such as Yellowman, a local variant of honeycomb and dulse, a type of edible seaweed.
Giants Causeway
A geological wonder steeped in legend and folklore, Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Giant’s Causeway is home to a wealth of local history and legend. Explore the geological phenomenon of 40,000 basalt stone columns formed by volcanic eruptions over 60 million years ago. Discover the legend of the Giant Finn McCool and search for distinctive stone formations such as the Camel, Wishing Chair, Harp and Organ. The stones and coastal path are open all year. Visitor Experience tickets include Interactive Exhibition, Audio Guide (available in 11 languages), Guided Tours, Gift Shop with Local Crafts, Cafe, as well as onsite parking. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience is open all year except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Last admission 1 hour before closing. Online pre-booking is essential for the Visitor Experience.
Mussenden Temple
Visit the stunning landscape of Downhill Demesne, and discover the striking 18th century mansion of the eccentric Earl Bishop that now lies in ruins. Explore Mussenden Temple, perched on the cliff edge with surrounding parkland, colourful gardens and woodland walks. Enjoy the outdoor adventure play trail and finish with a coffee and sweet treat from Al’s Coffee. Grounds open all year. Facilities include car park, toilets and light refreshments. See website for opening times and car park prices.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce is one of the most picturesque and romantic of Irish Castles. With evidence of settlement from the first millennium, the present castle ruins date mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing. Opening Hours: Please check before visiting as public access may be restricted. Regular opening hours are Mar to Oct: Daily 9.30am to 5pm. Nov to Feb: Daily 9.30am to 4pm. Note: Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Admission charges apply.
Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island is an iconic landmark off the northern coastline of County Antrim and forms part of the panorama of the Causeway Coastal Route lying just six miles off the coast from Ballycastle. The high sea cliffs lend an aura of mystery and induce the urge to explore what lies beyond, but arguably, its greatest asset is the breeding seabird colony. The island also boasts significant natural heritage sites and is particularly internationally important for its flora and in some cases, its unique underwater marine life. Visitors’ cars are restricted and the roads are quiet and ideal for walking and cycling. On the island you can follow the Sustrans National Cycle, Network Route 93 to the West Lighthouse, East Lighthouse and Rue Lighthouse or follow any of eight walking trails. To reach the Island, take the ferry (maximum 40 minutes) from Ballycastle Harbour to Church Bay, Rathlin. You can choose to do a round trip in a day or stay a while and enjoy unique accommodation and hospitality. The island’s strong cultural heritage, with storytelling, songs and music is legendary.
Fair Head
It is a ruggedly beautiful and remote area for climbers and walkers. As Northern Ireland’s tallest cliff face, Fair Head is believed to be the biggest expanse of climbable rock in either Ireland or Britain. A series of walks begins at the farm car park (nominal charges apply) which is clearly signposted off the Fairhead Road. Anglers should also note that the Fair Head lakes are stocked with trout and can be fished during the summer months.
Torr Head
A remote headland with jaw-dropping vistas stretching over the North Channel as far as Scotland (on a clear day)
Rathlin Ferry
Loughareema Lake
A natural phenomenon - a sparkling oasis one day and just a few days later, a bed of cracked mud with not a drop of water insight
Portaneevy View Point
Located on the B15 near Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, it has undergone recent redevelopment of car park and picnic areas, coastal walk, landscaping and cliff edge viewing platforms. If you can’t cross the bridge, treat yourself to panoramic views to the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Rathlin and further afield to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.
Tours
Game Of Thrones
Golf
We are still brimming with pride following our hosting of The 148th Open in July 2019 and the scenes when Irishman Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush will live long in our memories. The 148th Open served to enhance the Causeway Coast and Glens’ long established reputation for great golf and golf events at Championship Links, including Portstewart Golf Club and Castlerock Golf Club. And it’s not just the courses that are famous - no less than three Major title winners have lived here, namely Fred Daly, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. As befitting an area rich in golf heritage, there are a number of courses, both links and parkland where golfers may test their skills. For budding golfers, there are courses to develop their swing at less challenging Par 3 or pitch and putt courses.
Royal Portrush, Portstewart Old Course, Castle Rock, Ballycastle, Portstewart Golf Club, Cushendall Golf Club, Mini Golf Ballycastle,
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Portstewart Golf Club
Ballycastle Golf Club
Cushendall Golf Club
Beaches
Ballycastle Beach
Portstewart Strand
Portrush Whiterocks Beach
Cushendall
Waterfoot
Portballintrae
Cushendun
Food
Ballycastle Marina
Central Bar
Anzac
Biddy Barnish Cafe
OConnors Bar
Cellar Restaurant
Marconi's Bistro
Hunters Bar
Tennis
Ballycastle Tennis Courts are located on Mary Street, comprising of 5 Grass Courts - the only grass courts in Northern Ireland and 6 floodlit polymeric courts.
The facility hosts two annual tennis tournaments, one in July and another in August. Sheskburn Recreation Centre is responsible for all aspects of the administration and, Ulster Branch Tennis Ireland the day to day running of the July tournament as it is part of the Tennis Ireland circuit. The August tournament is less competitive and with an entry from all over Europe contributes substantially to the local economy because of the numbers attending. This is reported to be the largest entry for any tournament in Ireland.
Ballycastle Tennis Club are year round users of the facility.
https://www.ballycastletennisclub.com/
Ballycastle Tennis Club
Game Of Thrones
The Dark Hedges
The intertwining beech trees on this avenue are over 200 years old and were planted by the Stuart family to impress visitors as they approached Gracehill House. The Dark Hedges were used in Season 2 Episode 1 as Arya escapes King’s Landing along the Kingsroad
Murlough Bay
The wild and windswept cliffs above Murlough Bay is where brothers Stannis and Renly met in Season 2 Episode 4. On the bay, Tyrion and Jorah were captured by slavers in Season 5 Episode 6.
Cushendun Caves
In the quaint village of Cushendun, at the mouth of the river Dun, you will find the magnificent caves that were formed over 400 million years ago. They were used in Season 2 Episode 4 when Melisandre gave birth to the shadow creature, which goes on to kill Renly Baratheon. Please note this site is on private land
Larrybane
This dramatic headland, sheltered by Sheep Island, offers views of the spectacular Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It was used in Season 2 Episode 3 as Renly Baratheon’s camp, and where Brienne was named to Renly’s Kingsguard. In Season 6 Episode 5 it was the setting for the Kingsmoot.
Binevenagh
Marking the western extent of the Antrim Plateau, this distinctive headland has spectacular cliffs extending for over 6 miles across the peninsula of Magilligan. Used in Season 5 Episode 10 when the Dothraki horde surround Daenerys after her escape from the Meereen fighting pits on the back of Drogon, and again in Season 6 Episode 1 when Daario and Jorah discover Daenerys’ ring whilst searching for her.
Ballintoy Harbour
This coastal harbour at the end of a dramatic, twisting road is synonymous with Pyke and the Iron Islands. Theon returns here in Season 2 Episode 2 and is baptised here in Season 2 Episode 3. Season 6 Episode 5 also features Euron’s drowning and rebirth here, and the nearby beach played host to Melisandre’s burning of Stannis Baratheon’s bannerman
Fair Head
This rocky headland rises 600ft above sea level and lies just three miles from the town of Ballycastle. In Season 7 Episode 3, Varys confronts Melisandre here about her avoidance of Jon Snow before advising her to leave Westeros forever. It’s also where Jon, Daenerys and Drogon share a moment together in Episode 5, and latterly Tyrion and Daenerys in Episode 6.
Downhill Strand
Seven miles of sand beneath the stunning Mussenden Temple, that sits perched dramatically on a 120ft cliff top. In Season 2 Episode 1 this is where Melisandre burnt the effigies of the Seven Gods of Westeros.
Portstewart Strand
The 2-mile stretch of golden beach at Portstewart Strand is backed by impressive sand dunes. Here Jaime and Bronn came ashore to rescue Myrcella only to be discovered by Dornish soldiers. It’s also where Ellaria and the Sand Snakes vow vengeance against the Lannisters in Season 5 Episode 4.
Galboly
Situated above Garron Point on the Causeway Coastal Route, the hidden village of Galboly is where Sansa and Littlefinger watch Robin practise his swordmanship in Season 5 Episode 1. In Season 6 Episode 4, Littlefinger and Robin agree to march to Sansa’s aid with the Knights of the Vale. Please note this site is on private land.