1. Dunluce Castle, perched on the edge of a cliff is surrounded by local myths, one being that the kitchen fell into the ocean during a bad storm. The remnants of this castle will shock and inspire, one well known author was so inspired he included it in his work. Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin was supposedly influenced by the castle to create the ‘Moon Door’.
2. Close to Dunluce Castle is Mussenden Temple. The temple was built to be part of Lord Bishop of Derry Frederick Augustus Hervey’s estate, modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Italy. Unfortunately, the estate fell into disarray during World War II, but Mussenden Temple survives. Clutching on to the edge of the cliff, the temple is on the cusp of falling in, years of erosion have threatened the structure of the cliff.
3. Northern Ireland is becoming more well known for its wonderful food and drink options. A tour which you need to book is the Bushmills Distillery Tour. Find out how the delicious whiskey is made and sample it for yourself in their immersive experience.
4. The Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO Heritage Site. Famous worldwide for the 40,000 hexagonal shaped rocks by the sea, this site is a must see for any visitor. Whether you are interested in the legend of Fionn McCool or the underwater volcanic reaction, the Giant’s Causeway is for you, with specialised guided tours you can learn all about the formation of the Giant’s Causeway.
5. Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge offers adventure in addition to the views. Linking the mainland to the island of Carrickarede, this bridge was used by fishermen in the past and has now been adapted to suit tourists.
6. Moving along the coast you can visit Ballycastle, this is a beautiful seaside town with a range of coffee shops, pubs and restaurants. Gaze out onto the North Channel where on a clear day you can see Scotland.
7. From Ballycastle you can get a ferry over to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s most northernly point. The island is awash with history, being the first part of Ireland to be invaded by the Vikings. You can see all sorts of nature, from birds to dolphins, seals to foxes. The island has its own bird sanctuary, here you can watch common guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills nestle into the cliffs.
8. The Dark Hedges are picture of natural beauty, only known for featuring in the TV Show Game of Thrones, the road could be missed for a lane next to farmland. However, this sublime formation of trees is mesmerising and should not be missed. The road can get crowded with tourists so try to head out early in the morning.
Places to stay:
Ardtara Country House and Restaurant, County Derry
Bishop's Gate Hotel, County Derry
Bushmills Inn, County Antrim
Newforge House, County Antrim
The Old Inn, County Down