The Causeway Coastal Drive through the Glens of Antrim
09/01/2012 The Causeway Coastal Drive from Belfast to Londonderry really has some spectacular scenery. Here are some places worth visiting along the way.
ATTRACTIONS:
Carrickfergus Castle
Carnfunnock Country Park
Nine Glens of Antrim
Glenarm Castle
Glenariff Park
Torr Head
Rathlin Island Seabird Centre
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
Giants Causeway
Bushmills Distillery
Dunluce Castle
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BELFAST-CARRICKFERGUS- LARNE Starting out from Belfast head for Carrickfergus where the Causeway Coastal Route begins. Carrickfergus has a 12th century Norman castle which was built by John de Courcy in 1177. From the turrets you can see Bangor across Belfast Lough. Continue on to the ferry port of Larne with more wonderful views, this time across the Irish sea.
Carnfunnock Country Park(3.5miles north of Larne) has a Family Fun Zone with a miniature railway, bouncy castle, bungee run, remote control boats and an 18 hole mini golf course; a children's activity centre with outdoor adventure playground, putting, outdoor games, trampolines and 'mini Silverstone' racetrack. There is also a Maze in the shape of Northern Ireland. Continue north towards the stunning Nine Glens of Antrim.
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GLENARM-CARNLOUGH-CUSHENDALL-CUSHENDUN
The first of the nine glens is GLENARM- the glen of the army.
Visit Glenarm Castle(www.glenarmcastle.com), in Glenarm village ancestral home to the McDonnell family- Earls of Antrim. Visitors can enjoy Glenarm Castle’s historic Walled Garden, open to the public between May and September and the charming Tea Room, open from Easter until mid October. The Walled Garden is also open for events at Christmas and at other times throughout the year. In July, The Highland Games is a wonderful day out for the whole family. From here its on to Carnlough(at the foot of GLENCLOY) with its picturesque harbour, Waterfoot(at the foot of GLENARIFF), Cushendall( at the foot of GLENBALLYEMON) - with its distinctive 'Red Curfew Tower' built in1809 as a lock-up for 'idlers and rioters' and Cushendun(adjacent to GLENDUN) with its quaint early 20th century Cornish architecture. GLENCORP is close by GLENAAN running alongside the road from Cushendall to Cushendun.
Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens is considered to be the most beautiful of the nine glens. Glenariff Park has some lovely walks and a wonderful waterfall. From Cushendun follow the Torr Scenic Route to Ballycastle where at Torr Head you can see Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre. The small roads around Torr and along the Scenic Road are lined in places with Flowering Currant- spectacular in the summer. The walk from Fairhead to Murlough is a must.
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RATHLIN ISLAND - CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE
GLENSHESK lies to the east of Ballycastle, while GLENTAISIE lies to the west of it. Ballycastle was made famous by Marconi, who in 1899 made his first successful cross-water transmission between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. A 30 minute ferry ride will take you across to Rathlin Island-home to Northern Ireland’s largest sea colony.
The Rathlin Seabird Centre (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rathlin/index.asp) based in an upside-down lighthouse is located at the western end of the island. Admission to the Centre which is open 11 am-3 pm daily( April to mid-September) is free however donations are most welcome. Events held here include ‘Welcome Back the Puffins to Rathlin,’ Chicks on the Rocks’ and ‘Bye Bye to the Puffins’ at the end of July. There are also guided bus/walking tours around the island. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge linking the mainland and Carrick Island across a chasm of some 80ft in depth. Now in accordance with health & safety regulations the bridge is caged and has two hand rails. In the past it consisted of a single rope hand rail and widely spaced slats. It was used by fishermen crossing with salmon caught off the island. As you come down the steep hill Larrybane Headland is to the left. Take a walk down to the old quarry area where there are some great views.
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GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY & DUNLUCE CASTLE
The Giant's Causeway (www.giantscausewaycentre.ie) is Northern Irelands only World Heritage Site. It’s 38,000 hexagonal shaped columns of basalt attract visitors from all over the world. Geologists tell us the Causeway formed some 50-60 million years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. The lava cooled and hardened to form the layers of basalt rock which make up the Giant’s Causeway. However according to mythology this is what really happened!!
Long ago, an Irish giant named Finn MacCool roamed the north coast, where he could look across the narrow sea of Moyle to Scotland. A Scottish giant, Benandonner, was Finn’s greatest rival, challenging his strength and reputation. As the two giants had never met, Finn decided to invite Benandonner to Ireland, to engage in a decisive battle. There was no boat large enough to carry giants, so Finn built a causeway of huge stones across the water so that the Scottish giant could travel on dry land; thus he would have no excuse to avoid the confrontation. However, as big Ben approached, Finn realised to his horror that his opponent was a larger and more fearsome rival than he anticipated. He fled to his home in the nearby hills, and like any sensible man, asked his wife for advice. Oonagh, a practical woman, disguised Finn as a baby, complete with large nightgown and bonnet. She placed him in a huge, hastily made cradle, telling him to keep quiet and pretend to sleep, as Benandonner’s great shadow darkened the door. Oonagh brought the Scottish giant in for tea, pleading with him not to waken Finn’s child, Looking at the massive ‘baby’ lying in the cradle, Benandonner took fright, saying that if this was the child, he had no wish to meet the father. He fled back to Scotland, ripping up the Causeway behind him, terrified that the awful Finn might follow him home.
Bushmills Distillery(www.bushmills.com)
This is Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery. Watch whiskey making take place and enjoy a wee taster too.
DunluceCastle(www.northantrim.com/dunlucecastle.htm) Walking around inside Dunluce Castle is a fascinating experience - it is only when you walk down from the gift shop and cross the bridge into the castle courtyard that you realize how large the castle layout actually is - something that is not so apparent from outside views. Over the years many changes and additions have occurred to the original structure - inside you will find Norman, Scottish, English and European architectural influences.
From Portrush and beautiful Portstewart Strand and dunes, head for Castlerock and the beautiful walled city of Londonderry.
For more info checkout www.causewaycoastalroute.com