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(A personal opinion of a
guest with additions by Rosemary) Things to See and Do*** An absolute "must"** Well worth a visit*
Go if you have time |
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BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
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THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY *** (9 miles east)This strange rock formation of hexagonal boulders from which this part of Ireland's north coast takes its name. Legend has it that a giant called Finn McCool used these boulders as stepping stones to walk across the sea from Scotland. The visitor centre, which has a restaurant, audio visual theatre and a large gift emporium, is excellent. If you don't fancy the long walk down to the causeway (or, more to the point, the long walk up again) a minibus can take you there and back. |
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BALLYCASTLE &
RATHLIN ISLAND *
This attractive seaside town with its sweeping sandy beach and harbour, is a good place to spend an hour or two. If you fancy a trip to Rathlin Island (where Robert the Bruce hid in the caves and had his famous encounter with the spider), this is where you catch the boat. For nature lovers Rathlin Island is a Special Area of Conservation. |
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THE NORTH ANTRIM COASTA beautiful coastal drive form Portrush to Ballycastle along the Antrim coast road A Collection of Photographs by Arthur Ward. http://www.northantrim.com/ This site gives some stunning Photographs of the North Antrim Coast. |
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CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE Want to frighten yourself to death? Then stop off at this curious tourist attraction just off the coast road (A2) near Ballintoy. It's a flimsy bit of nonsense, about 20 yards long, made of rope and planks, which spans an 80 ft sheer drop between the mainland and a little rocky outcrop. It's terrifying - especially if it's windy. But if you can summon up the courage to cross it, you'll feel proud of yourself! NB It's quite a long walk down to the bridge
from the car park, but the views are good. |
Photo Desi Agnew Ultra high res- click to view |
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BEACHES
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Castlerock beach with Donegal in the background. Lifeguard patrolled with No cars allowed on the west side. |
There are many wonderful Blue Flag beaches "Strands" along the coast. The sand goes on for miles and some are so firm that you are allowed to drive your car along them. If the weather's nice Portstewart Strand is a great place to go at sunset ... ask the courting couples. |
Portbalintrea beach Not for swimming but a beautiful walk |
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Indeed the song "Red sails in the sunset" was
allegedly composed while watching the boats sailing off the
strand.Other lovely 'Strands'
can be found at Benone, Castlerock, Downhill, Portrush (east &
west), White Park Bay, and White Rocks. |
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PORTRUSH
**
The Dunluce Centre
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| Waterworld - more damp and demure than wet 'n' wild, but
fun. Houses two eighty metre water slides, water canons,
water playground
, whirlpools and bubble lounger with saunas, sunbeds
and jacuzzis for adults.
Barry's Amusement Park - all the fun of the fair, folks! White-knuckle rides and candyfloss in Northern Ireland's answer to Alton Towers. Barry's recently unveiled Big Dipper, the largest in Ireland, takes pride of place amongst the white-knuckle rides.
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COLERAINE
***
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| MUSSENDEN TEMPLE & DOWNHILL CASTLE **
Both are near Castlerock. The domed Temple dominates the skyline for miles around and although it's not particularly picturesque in itself, it does occupy a stunning clifftop position overlooking the broad sweep of Downhill Strand. The castle ruins and gardens are nearby. Secret Place: "Pretty Crafty Design Studio" & the "Willow Garden Tea Room", outside Castlerock, off the road to the temple. Teas, Coffees and lunches in exquisite surroundings. |
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LIMAVADY &
ROE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK
* The park is right by the golf & country club we'll be visiting on our 'Away day'. A rambler's paradise, it features wooded riverside walks and is perfect for picnics. Limavady itself is an interesting and historic town to visit and is where "The Londonderry Air" originated. |
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GOLF
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18-HOLE COURSES
Royal Portrush : This is the Championship links which has hosted the British Open and is the home of the Seniors Open. A great test of golf and, at £50 or so a round, a bit of a test of the wallet, too!
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Portstewart Golf Club:
18 hole championship links course
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Castlerock Golf Club: 18
hole championship links course
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Masserene Golf Club Antrim: Another great favorite with the 'locals', this parkland course is a fair distance away from the Causeway Coast, just outside Antrim town but, with green fees at around £16, it sounds a good bet. Telephone 01849
428096 |
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9-HOLE COURSES
There are loads of
these. The green fees are very reasonable and you can usually just
turn up and play. Parkland: Brown
Trout Golf & Country Club, Gracehill Links/Parkland:
Bushfoot Links: Castlerock,
Ballyreagh, Portstewart Old Course, Ballycastle Trolley Hire - It should be possible to hire a trolley (even an electric one ) for the whole week. Try the secretary's office at Royal Portrush or Portstewart first (they are the courses closest to where we'll be staying.)
SHOPPING
Coleraine has the biggest town centre in the area, with all the usual high street shops and stores. Portrush is OK for shopping too, but it can be hard to park. Supermarket & Off License at Hillcrest. 1 Km!! |
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BANKS
There is a cash
dispenser which takes Visa/Mastercard next to the petrol
station/supermarket on the A29. Otherwise, there are banks and
building societies located in Portrush & Coleraine which keep the
same hours as at home. However, there are differences in the names of banks. You won't find any NatWests or Barclays. They are all Ulster Bank or First Trust etc. - so look for the branches and cash machines that display the logos that are compatible with your own bank. Although the unit of currency are the same as at home, the bank notes are different. Unlike England, each bank issues its own notes - and these vary in design. They are all legal tender throughout Ulster - but 'may not' be accepted when you get back. So get rid of them near the end of your holiday either by asking for your change in English notes, or just by hanging on to any English money and spending the Irish stuff! Technically they are legal tender throughout the UK but small shops don't like to take them. Get them changed before you leave or go to your bank when you return and they will do them free of charge. |
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Eating Out The food is so good, plentiful and reasonably-priced that you can go practically anywhere for a great meal (and that includes the golf clubs).
The Harbour Bar Portrush for best pint of the black stuff!
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WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU As the cottages come complete with bedlinen, you won't need to take much else apart from bath/hand towels and maybe a spare tea towel or two. See what previous occupants of your cottage have left behind before you stock up on washing up liquid, J-cloths, tea bags, salt & pepper, etc. Odds-on you'll find these things in the cupboards. There is a small colour TV in each cottage but no radio. Bring a portable if you prefer listening to the news & weather forecast instead of watching it! If you have a mobile, take it along as reception is pretty good. As with anywhere in the UK, the weather can
change dramatically from day to day, so be prepared for almost
anything. Golfers - bring a wolly hat, the wind off the sea can be
wicked even in June!
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How to get there The quickest way to Maddybenny Farm from Belfast International Airport (Aldergrove) is the A26 from Antrim town via Ballymena and Ballymoney then onto the A29. This takes about an hour. However, as the cottage won't be ready for us until 2.30 p.m., we strongly recommend the scenic route, taking the A5 to Larne and then the A2 (coast road). This takes twice as long, but is twice as nice! As you get past Larne, the scenery unfolds with views across to the Scottish coast as you hug the shoreline all the way up to Cushendall before heading inland towards Ballycastle. A lunch stop at Carnlough will break up the journey nicely - the Londonderry Arms is very good. Alternatively, drive north to Ballymena, then take the A43 through Glenariff Forest Park to Cushendall and follow the A2 to Ballycastle, Bushmills and on to Portrush and the A29. Airports
Ferry Terminals
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Other Links
www.causewaycoastandglens.com
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