Places to See & Visit
Royal Portrush Golf Course
Situated in the Causeway Coast & Glens area of outstanding natural beauty, Royal Portrush Golf Club is nestled in a triangle of giant sandhills which present magnificent views in all directions — the hills of Donegal in the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the north, with the iconic Giant’s Causeway and the Skerries in the east. The courses are overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century, Dunluce Castle and this gives its name to Royal Portrush’s famous Dunluce Links, one of the most challenging golf courses in the world.
Giants Causeway
Flanked by the wild Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, for centuries the Giant’s Causeway has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it. Visit Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn how the Causeway was formed with one of our award-winning storytellers by booking Visitor Experience tickets. We have guided tours running every hour; or you can pick up an audio guide and unlock the secrets of this landscape at your own pace, with information available in 11 languages and options to suit all ages.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce is one of the most picturesque and romantic of Irish Castles. With evidence of settlement from the first millennium, the present castle ruins date mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing
Old Bushmills Distillery
Along the north coast of Ireland, where arctic storms rage against the jagged cliffs and where the crisp waters of the River Bush cut through volcanic rock, generations have passed down an ancient distilling tradition. Bushmills is named for the mills that made the barley and the River Bush, which remains the water source to cut whiskey to proof today.
Mussenden Temple
Mussenden Temple is located in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near Castlerock in County Londonderry. It perches dramatically on a 120 ft cliff top, high above the Atlantic Ocean on the north-western coast of Northern Ireland, offering spectacular views westwards over Downhill Strand towards Magilligan Point and County Donegal and to the east Castlerock beach towards Portstewart, Portrush and Fair Head.
The temple was built in 1785 and forms part of the estate of Frederick Augustus Hervey (Description courtesy of Discover Northern Ireland)
The Dark Hedges
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. In fact, the iconic trees have been used as a filming location in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones®, representing the Kingsroad.
Portstewart Strand
Sweeping along the edge of the North Coast, this two-mile stretch of golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches and affords views of Inishowen headland and Mussenden Temple perched on the cliffs above. It is an ideal place for lazy picnics, surfing and long walks into the sand dunes, where wild pansy flowers dance in the breeze and common blue and dark green fritillary butterflies abound.
Its precious habitat is an important nature conservation site with way-marked trails. Nearby, the Bann Estuary is a sanctuary for waterfowl and wading birds like curlew and redshank. Exploring the hide on the west side of the River Bann also provides endless opportunity to witness the spectacle of birds
