This coastal tour of Northern Ireland ranks with the world's greatest road trips. Taking in history (Bangor Castle), culture (the province's capital, Belfast) and the geological wonder of the Giant's Causeway; the Antrim Coast Road is a quiet but thrilling exploration of the Irish coastal landscape.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Suggested route
Starting in Newry, County Down, the A2 follows the coastline all the way round to Muff on the border with the Republic of Ireland. While the province has had its "Troubles" over the last 40 years, Northern Ireland is a perfectly safe place to visit. Unless you choose to visit the communities of West Belfast (and there are guided "Troubles Tours"), there is little evidence today of the sectarian violence that has plagued the province.
Navigation is pretty much a case of taking the road closest to the coast at all times. There are quicker ways to get from A to B than hugging the shore, but they are less scenic.
For most of the route the A2 has a single lane in each direction and has very little traffic compared with more direct routes. From Newry, take the A2 south towards Warrenpoint and Carlingford Lough; and then around Dundrum Bay. The A2 crosses Strangford Lough at Portaferry. The largest sea lough in the British Isles, Strangford is one of the most important marine environments in Europe. If you're lucky you might be able to spot some of the harbour seals that call it home.
Continue on the A2 north to Portavogie and continue for 23.5 miles (37.7km) to Bangor. The A2 becomes slighter trickier to follow here as the A2 cuts through the town, forming part of its ring road.
From Bangor it's 10.9 miles (17.6km) to Belfast. On the way you'll pass through Hollywood, a charming middle class seaside town in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains. If you stop for a drink in one of its pubs you'll notice the etiquette is different from most of the British Isles. They look just like traditional pubs, but don't stand at the bar expecting service - orders are taken at the table and delivered on trays. Very civilised.
As you enter Belfast on the A2 you'll see the (recently renamed) George Best City Airport on the right, next to the giant yellow gantry cranes of the Harland and Wolff shipyard. It was here that Titanic was built in 1911.
The A2 moves away from the coast here, so our route follows the ramp onto the M3 for 0.7 miles (1.2km). Continue on the M2 for 2.4 miles (3.9km) and continue on the M5 (towards Carrickfergus/M5) for 1.6 miles (2.5km). At the roundabout take the second exit onto the A2 for 19.4 miles (31.2km) and at the next roundabout take the second exit to continue on the A2 towards Glenarm for 10.3 miles (16.6km).
Navigation becomes a breeze once more as the A2 follows the coast to Ballycastle 17.8 miles (28.7km) further on. The A2 takes a right before Maghercashel and a left at the T-junction on to White Park Road. On the way to Bushmills the A2 isn't the closest road to the coast. Take a right turn onto the B147 towards Dunseverick. Otherwise you'll miss this stretch of coast's most unmissable site: the unique hexagonal stones of the Giant's Causeway. The B147 joins the A2 again just before Bushmills. Here you will find the distillery that makes the eponymous Irish Whiskey.
Continue on the A2 to Portrush, through Coleraine and around Lough Foyle to Derry / Londonderry and across the double deck Craigavon Bridge into the "cityside" (75 per cent of the population live "cityside" the rest live "waterside".
Our journey ends a few miles north of Derry at the A2's end point: Muff on the border with Eire.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRIP
Worth getting out of the car for
- The Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast - Is this the best pub in the British Isles? Quite possibly. The opulent Crown Bar is a masterpiece of Victorian craftsmanship: intricate woodwork, mahogany bar, stained glass, Italian marble and a tiled exterior combine to overwhelm the senses. The perfect place to nurse a pint of stout and be king for a day.
- Carrick-A-Rede - Not for vertigo sufferers, this rope suspension footbridge leads from the mainland to Carrick Island. Check the website for opening times (the bridge does is taken down between late October and March).
- Giant's Causeway, Bushmills - Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site is a unique geological feature, thousands of hexagonal columns extending from the shoreline. Rock fans will recognise it from the cover of Led Zeppelin's 'House of the Holy'.
Events
- 25 July, 2009, Archaeology Day, Bangor - The interesting North Downs Museum and Heritage Centre takes a trip into the past to demonstrate ancient crafts and reveal the history of the surrounding area. This event is suitable for the whole family and entry is free.
- 13-16 August, 2009, Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, Belfast - This year Belfast has been selected as the destination port for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. Up to 20 tall ships that have crossed the Atlantic from Halifax, Canada, are expected to arrive in Belfast over four days, to a warm welcome and firework display.
- 5-15 September, 2009, Big Tickle Comedy Festival, Derry/Londonderry - A major comedy festival, this year's Big Tickle includes Rich Hall (as Otis Lee Crenshaw), Ardal O'Hanlon, Andrew Maxwell, Reginald D. Hunter and a pick of great new acts discovered at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Useful links
Have you done this trip? Got advice on the route? Know some unmissable stop-offs? Help others by adding ideas and comments below.
Its actually in Northern Ireland - not the UK !!!
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland = UK
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'GB' as the route source summary would, of course, therefore be wrong. But not UK. If you are from one of these four countries and own a passport, take a look at the cover.
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'GB' as the route source summary would, of course, therefore be wrong. But not UK. If you are from one of these four countries and own a passport, take a look at the cover.
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suggest turning off coast road into one of the many superb glens you can return to the main route by coming down the next glen,
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It is comments like the above which starts trouble. Just enjoy Ireland as it is North & South. Ireland as a whole is a beautiful country, the scenery in both parts is lovely and a lot of places totally unspoilt, so enjoy your stay, come to Ireland, full stop.
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Why stop at Derry, go into Donegal as well, it is a lovely county, wild and beautiful in places. You don't need passports for any part of Ireland. People North & South are lovely.
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dont miss the road from cushendun over torr to ballycastle
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I have done this trip many times and the light changes the mood every time. Give yourself at least 3 days for this trip as you will want to stop every few miles to admire something, plenty of good B&Bs enroute. I agree with the previous comment - get off the A2 at Cushendun and go over Torr Head to Ballycastle. Don't miss Ballintoy Harbour and Ireland's smallest chuch at Port Bradden - both between Ballycastle and Bushmills (Where you must visit the world's oldest Distillery). So many things to do....3 days may not be enough!
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Ilove this drive, I used to do this drive at least once a month when I was in my early 20s with a few friends, we would stop and have a beer in cushen dun and look out over the historic Irish sea. Gorgeous I miss those drives, I now live in Cleveland Ohio, I would advise anyone traveling to the U.K or Ireland to do this drive, I have seen a lot of this world and have extensively traveled, but there is nothing quite like the Antrim coast road. Dont forget to stop and admire the striking ruins of Duluce castle a few miles north of bushmills I think, look out on the sea beneath and try to imagine the attacks this castle faces from the sea, the Normans, the Vikings and Sorely Boy McDonnell, fighting of the English and finishing of what was left of the Spanish Armada from its walls. George.
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