Portstewart

The

Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Cause way is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8km) northeast of the town of Bushmills. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a national nature reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times Readers, the Giant's Causeway was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five, seven or eight sides. The tallest are about 12metres (39ft) high, and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 28metres (92ft) thick in places. Much of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site is today owned and managed by the National Trust and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. Access to the Giant’s Causeway is free of charge: it is not necessary to go via the visitors centre, which charges a fee. The remainder of the site is owned by the Crown Estate and a number of private landowners.

The

Mussenden

Temple.

Perched on the cliffs overlooking Downhill Strand, coastal erosion has brought it closer to the edge.

The temple was built in 1785 and forms part of the Downhill Demesne. The demesne was formerly part of the estate of Frederick, 4th Earl of Bristol, who served as the Church of Ireland Lord Bishop of Derry from 1768 until 1803. It was Lord Bristol –popularly known as "the Earl-Bishop" –who had the "temple" built. Constructed as a library and modelled from the Temple of Vestain the Forum Romanumin Rome.

In 1997 The National Trust carried out cliff stabilisation work to prevent the loss of the building.The inscription around the building reads:

"Suave, mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem."

"Tis pleasant, safely to behold from shore The troubled sailor, and hear the tempests roar."

Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, 2.1–2.

As the Bishop's library,its walls were once lined with bookcases. A fire was kept burning constantly in the basement. This and its enclosed flue meant that, even in this very exposed location, the books never got damp. The building was probably the work of Micheal Shanahan who accompanied the Earl Bishop on one of his many visits to Italy.

The Strand

Portstewart Strand and Barmouth Wildlife Reserve:Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering sand dunes of Portstewart Strand. This area of natural beauty and of scientific interest is owned and managed by the National Trust. A year round mecca for holiday makers, Portstewart Strand holds the prestigious Blue Flag award for the management, cleanliness and quality of water and it is also one of the few remaining beaches in Ireland where cars still have access and permission to drive onto the beach-perfect for families who wish to picnic on the golden shores. In addition to this, it has also won the Seaside Award again in 2014 .The beach attracts a range of visitors wishing to partake in activities such as, surfing, swimming, horse riding and scenic walks on the way marked nature trails with excellent views of the North Coast.Visitors to the beach will benefit from new toilets, external showers and improved first aid facilities. A new shop will enable visitors to pick up accessories for the beach, such as bucket and spade or games to play, or a souvenir to take home with them. All income generated from the shop will go towards the conservation of this special area.

Portstewart Strand - The magnificent two mile strand of glistening golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest and most popular beaches with all ages; Portstewart Strand holds the prestigious Blue Flag.Also one of the few remaining beaches in Ireland where cars still have access and permission to drive onto the beach.

The beach attracts a range of visitors wishing to partake in activities such as, surfing, swimming and scenic walks on the way marked nature trails with excellent views of the North Coast. The dunes are a haven for wild flowers and butterflies.

Facilities

Restaurant

Onsite Baby Changing

Available Disabled Toilets

Available Parking

Available On-siteGetting

There and Contact Information:

Address118 Strand Rd, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PG,

Northern Ireland

Contact028 7083 6396

Bushmills

Irish Whiskey

Distiller

Barry's Amusements

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery is Ireland’s oldest working distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland on the beautiful North Coast.Our original grant to distil was signed in 1608 by King James 1st and there has been distillation on this site since then, using the unique water from our own stream and Irish barley.

The Bushmills Brand Experience encompasses guided tours around a workingdistillery with all the associated sights and smells, tutored whiskey tastings, a specialist whiskey shop and a well-stocked gift shop with exclusive Bushmills merchandise. At the conclusion of your tour you will be offered a whiskey or a soft drink in our 1608 Bar.

There is also a restaurant serving lunches and Bushmills inspired treats throughout the day. The Distillery Tour Centre is open 7 days a week.

Please see www.bushmills.com

for more information. Please note the tour is not suitable for childrenunder 8 years old or anyone with walking difficulties

Barry's Amusements

16 Eglinton Street, Portrush, County Antrim, Northern IrelandBT56 8DX.

Telephone: 028 7082 2340In 1925,

Travelling members of the Chipperfield and Trufelli circus families were invited by the local railway company to permanently locate in Portrush on a site beside the railway station. The name 'Barry's' is based on an early supplier (Barr). Barry's maintains a mixture of traditional and modern amusements.

Opening hours - Barry's opens on a seasonal basis, normally from Easter Monday until the first week in September.

THE WHITE

ROCKS

ALLEY CATS

INDOOR PLAY

CENTREIS

PORTRUSH

BALLY CASTLE

BEACH

The White Rocks Recently awarded with the prestigious 2013 Blue Flag Award, Portrush Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for International visitors.The limestone cliffs of the White Rocks stretch from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. You can take a boat trip into these soft, sedimentary rocks have been carved through centuries into a labyrinth of caves and arches. Shelagh's Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion's Paw are headlands of distinguishable forms which rise out of the ocean.

Address

Parking on Kerr Street, Portrush, County Londonderry, BT56 8DQ, Northern Ireland

Contact

Click here to visit Portrush Whiterocks Beach's website

028 9023 1221

Alley Cats Indoor Play Centreis one of the largest Indoor Play Centres in the Northern Ireland. Since we opened in September 2007, we have quickly become one of the premier venues for children's parties. Alley Cats has a huge 3 level play frame with a host of exciting features including a corkscrew slide, mega super slide, cargo bridge, ballpool, lookout tower as well as lots to climb, crawl, jump and swing through. We like to make sure the little tots are well catered for too, with our two-level under-fives play frame including ball pit, boggle ball, ball shower and super-duper car wash. Decorated themed private party alleys ensure you can enjoy your special day under the care of a dedicated party host. Alley Cats play centre has a choice of party packages available: the Classic package, the Girls Glamour package and the boy's Tattoo/action package. In addition, we have optional extras to purchase, such as face painting, glitter tattoos, a visit from our mascot Oscar and party bags. The grown-ups just have to sit back, enjoy a cuppa, a tray bake or a tasty sandwich from our Cafe whilst you play happily under their watchful gaze. Facilities also include child friendly washrooms, baby changing facilities and extensive free car parking

Portrush Sea Toursleaves from Portrush Harbour, on Northern Ireland's beautiful Causeway Coast.

Our boat is a Stormforce11 with a wraparound canopy to keep you warm and dry whatever the weather. It is licensed for 14 people and is available for scheduled day trips or can be booked as a private charter.

Address

2 Randal Park, Portrush, Antrim, County Antrim, BT56 8JJ,

Northern Ireland

07761 696060

Bally castle Beach

The coast of north Antrim is spectacular, boasting the Giant's Causeway, the gateway to the Glens of Antrim and Ballycastle beach, with views on a clear day over to the Mull of Kintyre. The sand beach is set in a bay framed to the east by sheer 600ft cliffs, while to the west the ruins of Kinbane Castle sit on an imposing limestone outcrop.

The sand is slightly coarse and gravelly, which makes it perfect for both sandcastle making and walking if you don't want to swim -which you can do in the shallows withrelative safety despite there being no lifeguard cover.

There's a promenade and seafront at Ballycastle with tennis courts, and an inner harbour and marina. In the distance offshore sits the small inhabited island of Rathlin, you can take one of the dailyboat trips out there to go bird watching, or diving to see one of the many wrecks that lie beneath the occasionally treacherous waters around the island.Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6Q, Northern Ireland