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County Antrim is home to Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital and largest city, and has miles of spectacular coastline along the internationally renowned Causeway Coast, where sea-lashed cliffs and rocky headlands sweep down to unspoilt sandy beaches and secluded bays. The famous Glens of Antrim are another highlight, with their wonderful natural beauty, and the county has much to offer the sophisticated traveller and family holidaymaker alike, boasting championship golf courses,vibrant nightlife, world-class gourmet cuisine, and eclectic shopping. Yet, county Antrim never loses that unique sense of history and endemic charm, warmth and welcome which makes a holiday in Ireland so very special.
The Antrim Coast Road drive is, quite simply, an amazing sensory experience, following 60 miles of the most beautiful coast imaginable. Passing by the foot of each of the nine legendary Glens of Antrim, the road runs under bridges and arches, passing bays, sandy beaches, harbours and unique rock formations. As you turn Ulster's top right-hand corner, the green crescent of Murlough Bay comes into sight before the climb to the dramatic cliffs of Fair Head, and a bird's eye view of Rathlin Island. This small, inhabited island can be reached by daily boat trips from Ballycastle, which teems with life at the end of August as it hosts The Ould Lammas Fair. Each of the coastal villages has a distinctive character. The castle at Glenarm is the home of the Earls of Antrim, and Carnlough has a famous inn which was once owned by Winston Churchill. The red curfew tower in the middle of Cushendall was built in 1809 as 'a place of confinement for idlers and rioters', and the National Trust village of Cushendun has pretty Cornish cottages and a beautiful beach.
Further west along the coast is the incredible World Heritage Site of the Giant's Causeway. The hexagonal pillars of volcanic basalt stretching out into the foaming seas almost defy description. Spend a few hours at the Causeway Centre where the excellent audio visual presentation gives both the historical and fanciful explanation as to how the Causeway came about- it's up to you which you choose to believe! In summer months, the sure-footed can brave the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Put up by salmon fishermen to span a 60 foot gap between the mainland and a tiny island, it has exhilarating views of the crashing waves and treacherous rocks below.
Inland is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world at Bushmills. Join the tour, discover the secret of the pure water of St. Columb's Mill, malted Irish barley, triple distillation and aging in oak casks which combine to create the celebrated Bushmills and Black Bush whiskey. Savour the anticipated shot which concludes every tour, then see if you can resist the lure of the distillery gift shop!
The beautifully situated ruins of Dunluce Castle teeter on an eroding cliff-top just east of the lively, family-friendly seaside resort of Portrush. The nearby Dunluce Centre offers three floors of interactive play areas, shops and a cafe-a haven for energetic youngsters, especially if the soft Irish rain chooses to fall on the golden sandy beaches which surround it.
The famous Glens of Antrim are a remote area of wonderful natural beauty. The Glens are filled with waterfalls, woodland, gorges, and high plateaus with wonderful sea views. Glenariff Forest Park offers walks to suit all abilities and tastes, taking in its spectacular waterfalls, picnic areas and lakes which are small but suitable for swimming. A combination of rugged hills and lush valleys, the Glens are permeated with an atmosphere of ethereal tranquility- small wonder that folklore has it they are inhabited by the Wee Folk, or fairies.
The wonderfully alive, challenging terrain is one of the elements that makes Irish golf so remarkable and in County Antrim you will find breathtaking and diverse courses, in beautiful and historic settings. Royal Portrush Gold Club regularly merits inclusion in professional evaluations of the top ten courses outside the US, and is the only Irish course to have hosted the British Open. Its championship Dunluce Course, which takes its name from the ruined castle, is a wealth of sand hills and curving fairways. The fifth, par 5 hole, the White Rocks, is, literally, a cliff- hanger. The sister, Valley Course is a tamer, less exposed but nonetheless challenging and enjoyable 18 holes. Both courses are conspicuous for their lack of bunkers.
Ballycastle Golf Club unashamedly puts pleasure before challenge. It's short, at less than 6,000 yards, and offers an unusual mix of links and parkland holes . It is exceptionally scenic, with no less than five holes played around the remains of the 13th century Bonamargy Friary. In Ballymena, discover Ballymena Golf Course and the nearby Galgorm Golf Course, where the adjoining Galgorm Resort and Spa offers horseriding, clay pigeon shooting and archery. Twelve specialist treatment rooms, bars, and restaurants offer the ultimate in relaxation and indulgence.
In the capital itself, Belfast, Malone Golf Club is suited to the power game, with three par 5s each over 520 yards. Pinpoint accuracy is a must at the par 3 15th which is surrounded by water on two sides and bunkers on a third. The 22 acre lake at the centre of this parkland layout teems with trout and offers an alternative for the keen angler.
No visit to County Antrim would be complete without spending at least one day in Belfast. Take an overview of this thriving , regenerated and cosmopolitan city from the Belfast Wheel in the grounds of the City Hall- which is also worth a visit. Shop in Castlecourt and Victoria Square for the best in international brands, and explore St George's Market for antiques, curios and the unexpected bargain. Discover the history of the area with a stroll round the palm houses of the Botanic Gardens, and the Ulster Museum. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra with its combination of meticulously reconstructed buildings and re-enactments, vividly brings the past to life. At night, Belfast's Golden Mile is alive with quality restaurants, pubs and clubs- try The Crown, a beautifully restored ornate Victorian saloon bar, Michael Deane's Michelin -starred Deanes restaurant, or the cosy, buzz-filled wine bar Nick's Warehouse. Top quality entertainment is found at the Grand Opera House, King's Hall, Odyssey Arena and Belfast Waterfront.
Spectacular coastal scenery, and unspoilt and beautiful countryside, rich in history and folklore, yet never far from international standard golf courses, excellent cuisine, top class entertainment and shopping – County Antrim will enchant you with its spell , promising, as it does, a unique and unforgettable holiday experience.
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