The following post and photos come from Claire of @thislittlehouse.
You may have heard how beautiful Northern Ireland is, but I can guarantee until you have seen it with your own eyes, you won’t understand just how beautiful it is. I was lucky enough to have a few days to explore there recently and completely fell in love.
P&O Ferries asked me to share my favourite places and any top tips, so I’ll start off with my biggest tip. Make sure you have a car! To really take in the best of Northern Ireland you are going to want transport, and this is where ferry travel is perfect as you can pack up your car and go. We boarded a P&O Ferry in Cairnryan, Scotland, and arrived less than two hours later in Larne, Northern Ireland, ready to explore.
Once we arrived we headed towards the Causeway Coastal Route, which has been rated one of the top five road trips, and with very good reason. The drive alone is stunning and you are literally spoilt for choice with places to see and activities to do along the way. Here are a few of my favourites spots that we managed to see in our brief time there:
1. Dunluce Castle
What a sight to behold these ruins are! Built around 1500 on the North Antrim Coast, you can explore the ruins whilst learning all about its history and taking in breathtaking views of the sea and coastal line. It was from this point we spotted the most beautiful white sand beach further down the coast which we were told was Whitepark Bay.
This is what I loved most about driving the coastal route, one gem of a location would lead on to the next! With just a short drive, we found ourselves strolling those white sandy shores whilst taking in the now towering view of Dunluce Castle.
2. Old Bushmills Distillery
Can you really go to Northern Ireland and not visit their oldest whiskey distillery? I think not, and that’s coming from a non-whiskey drinker! They offer tours that take you through the history of the distillery and show you just how much work goes into crafting their finest Irish whiskies.
You then finish the tour in their 1608 bar where you have the chance to sample their whiskies for yourself, and of course soft drinks for the non-whisky lovers and drivers.
3. Ballintoy Harbour
This small fishing harbour was one of my favourite stops, with its crystal clear waters and Ballintoy village a short walk from the harbour. There you’ll find small shops, accommodation, restaurants, making it a perfect place to stop over if you’re driving the coastal route and want to experience true Irish rural life.
The harbour has also been used as a film location for Game of Thrones® in recent years, making it a good one to visit for all the fans out there. If you do make a point of visiting be sure to stop at Roark’s Kitchen for their Irish stew and a slice of cake – you will thank me for it.
4. Ballygally Castle Hotel
If you’re after a little luxury during your trip, then this is the hotel. As part of the Hastings Group, this 17th-century castle sits on the tip of the Causeway Coastal Route, overlooking Ballygally Bay.
With its beautiful views, idyllic gardens to stroll, and fine dining, this is a beautiful spot to stay over. Also, make sure you visit their haunted room!
5. Belfast
No trip to Northern Ireland is complete without a visit to their colourful and vibrant capital. Belfast is a feast for the eyes – I could spend all day just walking around and taking in all the street art. It’s provocative, thought provoking and gives a real buzz to the city.
Make sure you check out The Mac Modern Art Museum, the Cathedral Quarter, and the dome of Victoria Square for shopping and 360 views of Belfast. If you fancy a rather decadent treat, then afternoon tea in the Great Room at the Merchant Hotel is also not to be missed.
There you have just a few of the spots we managed to see in our 48-hour whirlwind trip to this beautiful country. There’s so much I want to see next time I go back, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, The Dark Hedges and Titanic Belfast to name but a few. This is a holiday were you will not be bored, that’s for sure.
Ready to explore Northern Ireland? Find out more about our two-hour ferry crossing from Cairnryan to Larne today.
