County Antrim graphic

Islandmagee is at the start of the spectacular Antrim Coast Road, a feat of Victorian engineering which triumphed over extremely difficult geological conditions (with splendid views of Kintyre and the Hebrides), and giving access to the Conservation Area at Glenarm; the Glens of Antrim; Cushendun village with its houses designed by Clough Williams Ellis, who built Portmeirion; the National Trust's breathtaking coastline round Murlough Bay and Torr Head and the many archaeological sites in the area. Further to the north-west lie the little coastal town of Ballycastle, with its ferry to Rathlin Island; the Giant's Causeway, a World Heritage site; the dramatic Dunluce Castle ruins and the terrifying rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede.

To the south is the ancient town of Carrickfergus, with its Norman castle and church and new marina, and the City of Belfast with its pre-historic ring-fort, its buzzing night-life and its Museum, art galleries, theatres and grand Edwardian City Hall. Belfast is served by two airports, Aldergrove International and Belfast City, and Dublin trains come in to its Central Station.

Places to visit in Co. Antrim

Ballygalley, Antrim Coast RoadCarnlough in the evening. Antrim Coast Road Larne from Garron Tower
Carrickfergus Castle Carrickfergus Harbour Cliff path at Waterloo, Larne
Cygnets at BroadwaterGrebe at BroadwaterSwan with cygnets at Soldierstown
Fair Head, looking east Murlough Bay and Fair Head, looking westView near Dunseverick, north Antrim coast
Common spotted orchid <em>Dactylorhiza fuchsii</em> Common violet <em>Viola riviniana</em> at Glenarm Early purple orchid <em>Orchis mascula</em> at Black Head
Lake, Benvarden Gardens, near Ballymoney Glenarm Castle and River Beginning of Gobbins Cliff Path
Looking down on the Giant's Causeway Garron Head, Antrim Coast Road Whitepark Bay