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Glenarm Castle and Gardens

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Activities & Attractions in Antrim

Antrim’s position in the north-east corner has given it a central role in the history of Northern Ireland and its neighbours. The county is peppered with some of the finest castles and historic heritage sites on the island. As you make your way around, it’s not hard to see why it has been chosen as the location for so many TV shows and movies known for their epic grandeur and scale.

Back in time at Antrim Castle Gardens

Antrim Castle Gardens, a 400-year-old gem is located just outside Antrim town itself near the shores of Lough Neagh. It features the famous Italian Tower, the playful Her Ladyship’s Pleasure Garden and the elegant Yew Tree Pond. Within the heart of the Gardens is a unique visitor experience, the refurbished Clotworthy House where you’ll find out all about the gardens and the story of their owners - the highly influential Massereene family. Take the chance to check out the 10th century round tower in Antrim, a prominent reminder of the town’s role as an ancient monastic settlement.

Across the Lough lies Carrickfergus Castle

Castle hunters are spoilt for choice in this part of the world. At the imposing Carrickfergus Castle overlooking Belfast Lough, you’ll find an excellent example of what the Normans were able to put together when they got here 800 years ago; yet remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. A recent excavation uncovered an escape tunnel under the castle. You would do well to locate it just in case you run into ‘Button Cap’, the resident ghost.

Walk the glorious, gut-wrenching Gobbins Cliff Path

Roused by all those tales of valour and knights in shining armour, you’ll no doubt be tempted to test your own mettle. You will need it if you decide to take the walk along the world famous Gobbins Cliff Path. This spectacular cliff walk was originally built in 1902 by a railway engineer with an apparent dash of the daredevil in him. A dramatic and challenging experience with steep narrow steps and striking suspension bridges. The payback is huge though as the views along the rugged coast are spectacular.

Gorgeous grounds of Glenarm Castle

Further up the coast from the aforementioned Carrickfergus, sits a very different but no less impressive fortification, Glenarm Castle. This has been part of the McDonnell family since 1686. They still own and live on the grounds but thankfully they like to have visitors to enjoy its world-famous walled garden. This little piece of heaven was in fact used in the movie Five Minutes from Heaven starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt.

Count the Glens of Antrim

There are nine Glens of Antrim and each of them has their own unique character, offering spectacular views and hidden gems of history in equal measure. For walkers, The Glens can be tackled through two waymarked footpaths. The Ulster Way will take you through dramatic seaside scenery and coastal villages, while the 32km Moyle Way runs inland across the plateau from Glenariff Forest Park to Ballycastle.

Stop in the picturesque towns and villages dotted along the Glen's path for a real taste of local life, including Glenarm, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun - each of which has a distinct story to tell. In Cushendun, you’ll find the famous Caves, one of the many spectacular spots that were used in the filming of Game of Thrones®. And look out for the beloved sculpture of ‘Johann’ the goat – a famous local resident!

Make your way through The Dark Hedges

Of course, every fan of Game of Thrones® will want to make their way to the famous Dark Hedges outside Ballymoney. When the renowned Stuart family planted this beautiful avenue of beech trees in the eighteenth century they did so to impress those approaching their marvellous mansion at Gracehill House. They could hardly have guessed how famous these ‘dark hedges’ would become. And today they are unarguably the most photographed beech trees in the world. It's atmospheric and impressive, regardless of the weather, so if you've time definitely mark this on your map.

Step into the Island life on Rathlin

Hop on the ferry to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited off-shore island. There's lots of scenic walking trails to enjoy, and take the opportunity to learn about island life at the Boathouse Visitor Centre. Home to the largest breeding seabird colonies in Europe and RSPB Seabird Centre, birdwatchers and nature lovers will delight in a trip. Or for something different, head for Rathlin West Light which is known locally as the ‘upside down’ lighthouse.

Swing over to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

If that isn’t enough excitement for one holiday then the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is exactly what you’re after. Connecting a tiny island with the mainland, this once-temporary structure was built specially by salmon fishermen, and although the rickety rope bridge has been replaced with a much sturdier version, even in the lightest of breezes you might feel it...sway a little.

The site car park will be open at weekends for visitors to walk this section of the Causeway Coastal Route, with a £5 charge for car parking, free for National Trust members and local pass holders.

Stop and sip at Bushmills Distillery

For whiskey lovers, a visit to Ireland’s oldest working distillery at Bushmills is a must. After taking the excellent behind-the-scenes tour of the Old Bushmills Distillery you will get to sample a wee dram for yourself. Just be sure you’ve crossed all those tricky bridges beforehand.

A cliff edge castle at Dunluce

Heading west out of Bushmills, the coastal route reveals one of the jewels in Northern Ireland's crown, Dunluce Castle. Perched dramatically on the cliffs of the coast, this breathtaking castle ruin has inspired artists and writers through the centuries. Built around 1500 by the local MacQuillan family, it was later seized by the Scottish MacDonnell clan and boasts a tumultuous history. Take some time to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this castle via the audio-visual tour.

Find your port of call in Portrush

Just a 10-minute drive west of Dunluce Castle you’ll find the fun loving seaside town of Portrush. Set on a mile-long peninsula with glorious blue flag beaches either side and an impressive rocky edge, the town is full of charm and plenty to keep you entertained. This picturesque seaside town has grown from a small fishing village into a very popular holiday destination for Northern Ireland locals and those from all over the world. The town is filled with friendly people and tonnes of activities for people of all ages including a world-renowned golf course and the largest amusement park in Ireland.

Last, but not least, the Giant’s Causeway

According to legend, Finn McCool, a giant of Irish mythology, built a bridge to challenge his arch enemy in Scotland. Though we’re famous for our engineering prowess, that one is a bit of a stretch. In fact, the Giant's Causeway was engineered by mother nature and came about as a result of a volcanic eruption that left behind this strange but magical patchwork of basalt. The geographical wonder is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legend and the truth of their formation are all explained in fine detail at the state-of-the-art visitor centre, from where you can stroll down to the stones (or take the shuttle bus) and hopscotch across the smooth stone platforms.

If that little lot hasn’t left you yearning for an epic adventure on this county steeped in epic legends, awesome natural architecture and jaw-dropping views, then there’s a whole lot more epic-ness just waiting to be discovered.

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Cushendun Short Walk

Cushendun

Address

Cushendun Car Park, Cushendun, County Antrim, BT44 0PS

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Cushendun is a beautiful seaside village on the North Coast alive with small shops and pubs. A series of scenic paths wind through the village, beach front, harbour, and Glendun river.

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West Strand Beach

Portrush

Address

Portstewart Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8EY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7034 7234

coleraine.vic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

West Strand Beach, also known as West Bay or Millstrand is a popular resort beach in the heart of the busy seaside resort of Portrush. Bounded at its northern end by the busy habour and flanked along its eastern boundary by a well used…

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Hillwalk Ireland

Ballycastle

Address

Glenariff, Ballycastle, Giant's Causeway, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, BT54 6BP

Telephone
+44 +35391763994

info@hillwalktours.com

Type

Type:

Walking Holiday

Self-guided walking tours along the famous North Antrim coastline with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean.

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Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Belfast

Address

2 Titanic Boulevard, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9HQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9053 4800

proni@communities-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Ancestry / Tracing your routes

PRONI holds an extensive range of private archives and is the main venue for researching family and local history or for discovering the economic, social and political history of Northern Ireland.

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Glenariff Forest Park, Scenic Trail

Glenariff

Address

Glenariff Forest Park, 98 Glenariffe Road, Glenariff, County Antrim, BT44 0QX

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Trail allows the more able person to enjoy walking through mature woodland, along the edges of steep sided river gorges with waterfalls and open moorland.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ormeau Golf Club

Belfast

Address

50 Park Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2FX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 0700

ormeau.golfclub@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Located within a mile of the bustling centre of Belfast, historic Ormeau Golf Club can truly be labeled “The Course in the heart of the City”. Formed in 1893, the club is one of the oldest in Ireland and is situated on mature tree covered parkland.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Crescent Arts Centre

Belfast

Address

2-4 University Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1NH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 2338

info@crescentarts.org

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and courses

The Crescent is a diverse community arts centre which has served the population of Belfast and beyond with a wide range of arts and cultural activities for almost 30 years.

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Outdoor Concepts (NI) Ltd

Belfast

Address

The Mount, 2 Woodstock Link, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT6 8DD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9073 7271

info@outdoorconcepts.co.uk

Type

Type:

Climbing

The possibilities for adventure in Northern Ireland are endless - how about canoeing along one of the award-winning canoe trails? Or jumping into rock pools in Newcastle? Or perhaps mountain biking and rock climbing in the world famous Mourne…

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Float Away Portrush

Portrush

Address

Unit 1, 8 Causeway Street, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8AJ

Telephone
02870 348795

info@floatawayportrush.co.uk

Type

Type:

Spa and Well-being

Floataway Portrush is a boutique, private day spa experience for the local and visitor market. It offers a totally exclusive experience in Portrush in the heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens, on the Causeway Coastal Route.

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Parking & Transport
- Parking (charge)
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Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
Specialist Features
- Disabled access rooms
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Divis Heath Trail

Belfast

Address

Divis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0NG

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Circular walk that circumnavigates Divis Mountain

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Gruffalo & Stickman Guided Walk

Belfast

Address

163 Stewartstown Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0HW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 4115

reception@colinglen.org

Type

Type:

Nature Trail

It’s Ireland’s only official Gruffalo Trail; a Julia Donaldson-endorsed walk. Step into the glorious world of the Gruffalo. Enter the deep, dark wood, meet the clever little mouse, the fox, the owl, the snake, before stumbling upon those knobbly…

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Experience Gaelic Games

Belfast

Address

St Galls GAA, 4 Milltown Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6EU

Telephone
+353 1 25 44 292

info@experiencegaelicgames.com

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

You can't experience the island of Ireland without experiencing Gaelic Games. Develop a real understanding of our culture with our immersive experience, suitable for all ages.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
NITOUR

Crumlin

Address

Crumlin, Co Antrim, BT29 4ZR

Telephone
+44 (0) 7493 377010

nitourenquiries@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

NITOUR is a new elite chauffeur business catering for up to 7 discerning guests on a private basis.We transport your party safely and in luxury between your chosen locations in Northern Ireland. Tour itinerary tailored to your bespoke requirements.

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2 Royal Avenue

Belfast

Address

2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1DA

2royalave@maywe.co.uk

Type

Type:

Public Hall

Belfast City Council’s community and cultural hub at 2 Royal Avenue provides a free creative space in the heart of the city centre.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Angling @ North Woodburn Reservoir (Carrick Dams)

Carrickfergus

Address

Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 9QL

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

Anglers must use the official entrances and on no account trespass on adjoining lands or park their cars in such a way as to obstruct roadways or gate entrances. These are very popular lakes and are stocked regularly with up to 30000 takeable sized…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Glengormley Sportsbowl

Newtownabbey

Address

3-5 Glenwell Road, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 7RF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9084 8323

info@glengormleysportsbowl.com

Type

Type:

Ten Pin Bowling

Sportsbowl is located in the heart of Glengormley. It houses 16 lanes of automated tenpin bowling, an indoor karting area for kids, a fun cafe and a wide range of video games and simulators. Its a great venue for a fun day out for all the family.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Slievenacloy - Stoneyford River

Belfast

Address

Belfast, County Antrim, BT28 3TE

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Hill walk in wildflower meadow

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
156 reviews
Knockagh Monument

Greenisland

Address

Monument Road, Greenisland, County Antrim, BT38 8QG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8222

visitorinfo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

County Antrim War Memorial erected and dedicated to the fallen from the County of Antrim who fell during the Great World War (1914-1918) and the Second World War (1939-1945), dramatically overlooking Belfast Lough and surrounding countryside.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
101 reviews
Whitehead Railway Museum

Whitehead

Address

Excursion Station, Castleview Road, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9NA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9358 6200

info@steamtrainsireland.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The new Whitehead Railway Museum will take visitors on a journey through time - see the large stock fully restored heritage Irish railway steam and diesel locomotives, vintage carriages coupled with state of the art interactive touch displays.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

Belfast

Address

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, 216 Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9096 4180

caoimhin@oifigfailte.ie

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is an arts and cultural centre with a strong focus on Irish language and culture. The centre offers, through its arts programme, theatre, music, visual arts, poetry, literary events, workshops and classes catering ...

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