Everything You Need To KnowAbout The Causeway  Coast

(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

BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY ***  (7 miles east)

Even if you're not a regular whiskey drinker, do visit Bushmills. It's the world's oldest distillery (licensed in 1608) and their products are excellent. A guided tour - which takes about 45 minutes and is very interesting - only costs a couple of pounds and you get a free tasting in their hospitality bar afterwards. Try the hot toddy, it's amazing! There is also a very nice gift shop which sells good quality souvenirs and clothing.

 http://www.bushmills.com/  

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.  

BALLYCASTLE & RATHLIN ISLAND * (20 miles east)

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.

http://rathlin.info/

THE NORTH ANTRIM COAST

A 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.

Castlerock beach with Donegal in the background.  Lifeguard patrolled with No cars allowed on the west side.

Portbalintrea beach

Not for swimming but a beautiful walk

Although this is a typical seaside town and can get a bit congested during the day, it has lots of shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment. These include:

 The Dunluce Centre

• Turbo Tours - a 'virtual reality' cinema

• Earthquest - an inter-active display of local wildlife

• Myths & legends - a multi-media show of local history

• Viewing Tower - panoramic views of the coast

• Touring information and leaflets

 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.

The largest conurbation in the area, Coleraine is a pleasant plantation town dissected by the wide, slow-moving and picturesque River Bann. There is a modern pedestrianised shopped precinct, lots of banks and building societies and several restaurants. (There's an attractive-looking Chinese restaurant called the Water Margin on the riverbank which is well worth a try.

LIMAVADY & ROE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK * 18 miles south west)

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.  

There are golf courses everywhere and we shall be playing some of the best. However, if one round a day isn't enough for you and, as it won't get dark until well after 10 p.m. there are plenty of other courses you might like to try.

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! 

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

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

You won't find nearly as many big supermarkets as back home. Everyday grocery shopping is catered for by Spar type stores which are usually located next to big petrol stations. They stay open until late (about 9 p.m.) and are pretty well stocked. There is such a supermarket (Hillcrest) about a mile or so from Maddybenny, located on the way into Portrush.

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!!

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.

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).

 

	Ramore Wine Bar in Portrush Harbour - lively, informal and with an incredible choice of quite exotic foods!
	Coast pasta pizza bar in Portrush Harbour - Funky Italian style food bar.
	Harbour Restaurant in Portrush Harbour - Traditional food with a twist.
	55 Degrees North Portrush - Restaurant upstairs, cafe downstairs. link
	Don Giovanni's Portrush - pizzas and every thing Italian.
	Beetles part of the Kellys hotel and nite club complex opposite Royal Portrush Golf Club
	York Hotel Portstewart - Fine dining in an intimate atmosphere with Piano Bar
	Strawberry Faire for snacks and afternoon teas and coffees

The Harbour Bar Portrush for best pint of the black stuff!  

http://www.Guinness.com/

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!

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

[BFT] Belfast International Airport (Aldergrove) (45 miles south)

[BHD] Belfast City Airport. regional flights only (60 miles south east)

[LDY] Eglinton, City of Derry Airport. Very small with few flights only (27 miles west)

[DUB] Dublin Airport in the Irish Republic. Very big International Airport (150 miles south and there is no border between the north & south or Ireland)

Ferry Terminals

Larne. P&0 from Cairnryan 60 minute fast ferry. (50 miles south east)    

Belfast. Senna from stranraer 90 minute fast ferry or (58 miles south east)

Belfast. Senna from stranraer 150 ferry

Belfast. Seacat from stranraer 90 fast ferry (very small)

Belfast. Norse from Liverpool 12 hour

Other Links

www.causewaycoastandglens.com
www.bbc.co.uk/blueprint/offthebeatentrack/

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