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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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OLD 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.
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.
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.
CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE
BRIDGE * (15
miles east)
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.
Castlerock beach with
Donegal in the background
Other lovely 'Strands' can be found at Benone, Castlerock, Downhill, Portrush (east & west), White Park Bay, and White Rocks.
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 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. |
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
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
MUSSENDEN TEMPLE & DOWNHILL CASTLE **
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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.
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.
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!
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+44 (0)28 7082 2311 |
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Portstewart Golf Club: 18 hole championship links course
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+44 (0)28 7083 2601 |
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Castlerock Golf Club: 18 hole championship links course
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+44 (0)28 7084 8314 |
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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
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).
(The new catering college in Portrush has been chiefly responsible for the high standard of catering throughout the area.)
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Ramore Wine Bar in Portrush Harbour - lively, informal and with an incredible choice of quite exotic foods! |
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Coast pasta pizza bar in Portrush Harbour - Funky Italian style food bar. |
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Harbour Restaurant in Portrush Harbour - Traditional food with a twist. |
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Don Giovanni's Portrush - pizzas and every thing Italian. |
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Beetles part of the Kellys hotel and nite club complex opposite Royal Portrush Golf Club |
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York Hotel portstewart - Fine dining in an intimate atmosphere with Piano Bar |
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Strawberry Faire for snacks and afternoon teas and coffees |
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55 Degrees North Portrush - Restaurant upstairs, cafe downstairs. link |
Although there are many fish & chip shops and burger bars, there aren't too many "foreign" take-aways. Try Fab Kebab (Indian), Water Margin (Chinese), Pizza Pomadore. Good wine bars in Portstewart are The York and Shenanighans. Guinness is sold everywhere and apparently costs less and tastes much better than at home!
The Harbour Bar Portrush for best pint of the black stuff!
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
Belfast
International Airport (Aldergrove)
Belfast
City Airport. regional flights only
(60 miles south east)
City
of Derry Airport. Very small with few flights only
(27
miles west)
Ferry Terminals
Larne. P&0 from Cairnryan
60 minute fast ferry.
(50 miles south east)
Belfast. Senna from
stranrar 90 minute fast ferry or
(58 miles south east)
Belfast. Senna from
stranrar 150 ferry
Belfast. Seacat from
stranrar 90 fast ferry (very small)
Belfast. Norse from
Liverpool 12 hour