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Northern Ireland:Layout 1 02/05/2007 15:29 Page 237
THE CAUSEWAY COAST: APPROX 64KM
Rathlin Island
Giant’s
Sheep
Causeway
Island
ROADTRIP
B146 B15
A2
Portrush
A2
Bushmills
Portstewart
Ballycastle
Magilligan
A2 Coleraine
Downhill
A26
Ballymoney
A2
THIS DRIVE TAKES YOU FROM BALLYCASTLE IN NORTH ANTRIM TO
To Derry
MAGILLIGAN STRAND – ONE OF THE NORTHERNMOST POINTS IN COUNTY
N
DERRY. THE COASTAL ROUTE, ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC IN NORTHERN
IRELAND, INCLUDES THE WORLD-FAMOUS GIANT’S CAUSEWAY.
The scenic resort of Ballycastle at the foot of the Knocklayd Mountains offers magnificent views out into
Ballycastle bay to Rathlin Island. Rathlin is a day trip in itself. From Ballycastle, take the B15 west and after
8km, turn right to Larry Bane Bay toward the cliffs and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. There is a great walk
along the Larry Bane Cliffs with spectacular views of Rathlin Island, Sheep Island and Fair Head.
Continue west on the B15 and if you can spare the time, after joining the A2, turn right to Portbradden and
look out for St. Gobhan’s – the smallest church in Ireland. Return to the A2 and continue west. After 1.5km, turn
right to the B146 and after 1.5km park on the right in the lay-by near the cottages. Here you’ll find Dunseverick
Castle, which marks the eastern limit of the Giant’s Causeway. Trek west along the narrow path to the Causeway,
otherwise continue west on the B146. This is the point where the best road view of the Causeway Coast begins
and as you progress, you’ll see Portrush, Portstewart, Magilligan Strand and the mountains of Donegal to the west.
The Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre is well signposted about 5km along the B146 from the Dunseverick turnoff
and marks the starting point for a walking tour of the spectacular 60 million-year-old basalt columns. Continue
west on the B146 and A2 to Bushmills, where you can stop off at the world-famous Bushmills Distillery and –
unless you’re the driver – take the tour and sample the local produce. Afterwards, visit the famous Bushmills Inn
Hotel, open all day for a light snack or a full lunch in the original 17th century stables of this old coaching inn.
The A2 will bring you to the spectacular cliffside remains of Dunluce Castle, the views east to the Causeway Coast
and The Skerries out to sea. Continuing west along the A2 you will arrive at the resort of Portrush and nearby
Portstewart with its picturesque harbour and excellent sea walks. Continue inland on the A2 to Coleraine and
when you reach the town detour south east on the A26 toward Ballymoney. At the bypass roundabout, follow the
left turn toward Leslie Hill Heritage Farm Park. From Coleraine, continue west again on the A2 to Downhill and
look out for the 1785 Mussenden Temple and the charming glen leading up to the clifftop. From the top there’s a
great view of the Bann Estuary and Portstewart Strand. Continue west on the A2 and bear left to the Bishop’s Road.
Follow the steep slope up the side of Binenvenagh Mountain to Gortmore Viewpoint where there’s an absolutely
spectacular view of Magilligan Strand, Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula. The road downhill returns you to
the A2. Turn left and continue on to the 1812 Martello Tower at Magilligan Strand. From Magilligan, you can either
retrace your route east into Antrim, continue south west to Derry, or continue further west into Donegal.
ALTERNATIVE TRIP: County Down Coast from Bangor to Kilkeel: From Belfast drive to Bangor then onto Portaferry,
Strangford, Ardglass, Downpatrick, Dundrum, Newcastle and Kilkeel.
northern ireland 237
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