County Antrim Information

County Antrim is located in Ulster, and is jam-packed with big-city buzz, spectacular natural beauty and a lengthy historic heritage. Belfast, as the county and region’s capital, is by far the largest city in Ulster, and has emerged from a sometimes troubled history, as a thoroughly modern melting pot of culture, nightlife and festivals.

Antrim is easily accessible by air - Belfast has two airports, Belfast International and George Best Airport. Belfast International is the larger of the two while George Best Airport (named after the city’s most famous sporting figure) mostly handles domestic flights. 

It takes around two hours to drive from Dublin to Belfast on the M1 motorway, and there is a railway line running between the two cities, as there is between Belfast and Derry. By ferry, Larne, 20 miles north of Belfast, connects Antrim directly to Cairnryan, Troon and Fleetwood, while Belfast is served by Liverpool and Stranraer.

Bordered by Armagh, Derry and Down, Antrim has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Ireland. The Causeway Coast, which is home to the world famous Giant’s Causeway, extends through Antrim and Derry, and is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Other highlights on the Antrim section of the Causeway Coast are the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and the impressive ruins of Dunluce Castle (perched high on a clifftop). Further stop-off points along the route include islands, parks & the Antrim glens. Or why not enjoy a trip to Ireland’s oldest legal distillery at Bushmills, to sample its world renowned whiskey, and enjoy a guided tour of the facility.

Antrim has plenty to offer sporting enthusiasts. Northern Ireland’s status as a golfing world power has never been higher and in Antrim in particular, as birthplace of one major champion (Graeme McDowell) & base of another (Darren Clarke) and as home to one of the world’s top golf courses, at Royal Portrush, golf is a ‘major’ attraction. Lough Neagh, to the south-west of the county is Ireland’s largest lake, and the fishing there is excellent. There are golden beaches and surf breaks along the northern coastline, and countless hill-walking and rambling trails throughout the county

Antrim’s Top Five

Belfast– Belfast’sattractions are worthy of extensive discussion, but suffice to say, visitors to this thriving cultural hub won’t be short of things to see and do. It is a great city-break spot, with boutique hotels, fantastic shopping and plenty of festivals. Top must-sees include Stormont (where the Northern Ireland Assembly is based), Belfast Castle, Queens University, Botanic Gardens & the Ulster Museum. In 2012, to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the launch of the Titanic, ‘Titanic Belfast’, a massive six floor visitor centre is to be opened, telling the story of the Titanic and the history of Belfast, where it was built at the Harland & Wolff shipyard .

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge – A star of many tourist brochures, this famous bridge (famously scary if heights are a problem!), is one of Northern Ireland’s best known attractions. Located on the north Antrim coast, precipitously dangling 25 metres over the sea, it dares tourists to walk its shaky 18 metre length.

The Giant’s Causeway – Mythical, magical marvel or geological oddity, the Giant’s Causeway is certainly worthy of its status as the region’s number 1 visitor attraction and is designated as Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO world heritage site. Consisting of over 35,000 basalt columns, it was either created by an ancient volcano (according to geologists), or by the giant Fionn McCumhaill to bridge the gap between Ireland and Scotland to confront an enemy (according to legend). Between now and the summer of 2012, access to visitor services is limited, until the new Giant’s Causeway visitor centre is opened.

Glens of Antrim – The nine green Glens of Antrim (Glenarm, Glencloy, Glenariff, Glenaan, Glencorp, Glenshesk, Glentaisie, Glenballyeamon & Glendun) are one of the county’s most scenic areas, filled with waterfalls, parks, woods & diverse flora and fauna. Each one has its own special character, reflected in their names, ranging from Glenariff (the glen of the plough, or the queen of the glens) to Glenshesk (the glen of the reeds). The Glens have inspired musicians and poets and are home to many festivals.

Rathlin Island – The Ballycastle to Rathlin Island ferry takes passengers on a 6 mile, 20-25 minute journey to the island - which is home to fewer than 100 people - and is a rugged place with impressive cliffs the dominant feature. Rathlin Island’s bird-watching opportunities are excellent along these cliffs and it has a seabird centre at Bull Point, and the island is also home to a colony of seals. The island has views to Donegal, Antrim and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, and holds two major summer festivals, one in mid-July, a varied affair, and a regatta at the end of August (there are limited accommodation options available so booking ahead is advised).