Page 236 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

234 BACK ROADS IRELAND

1 Carrickfergus ha (470 acres) filled with woods,
Co Antrim gardens and walking trails, parts of
The oldest city in County Antrim, which are set on the coastal shore.
predating even Belfast, of which it is Many of the estate’s original features,
now almost a district, Carrickfergus is such as the walled garden and the
a pretty seaside town set on Belfast ice house, remain. There are plenty
Lough. Dominating the waterfront is of activities including a mini-golf
Carrickfergus Castle (open daily), a course, a laser clay pigeon shooting
striking Norman edifice built for range, a miniature railway, a remote-
defence in the 12th century and control boating lake and remote-
used for this purpose as recently as control truck course, an adventure
World War II. It is possible to take a playground and a maze. There are
guided tour of the castle, the best- also picnic areas and a café.
preserved of its kind in Northern ª Continue along the A2 coastal road
Ireland, and from its ramparts there through Ballygally and Milltown to
Above Sturdy walls of Carrickfergus Castle, are good views of the harbour and Glenarm village, gateway to Glenarm.
overlooking the harbour and Belfast Lough marina and across Belfast Lough. Follow its main street to the glen.
Nearby on Antrim Street is the
Carrickfergus Museum and Civic
Centre (open daily) with exhibitions
on local history. Carrickfergus is
known worldwide as the subject of
a haunting Irish ballad that begins,
“I wish I was in Carrickfergus”.
ª Follow the A2 north to reach the
Causeway Coastal Route. There are
great sea views en route to Whitehead;
the road then follows the western
shore of Larne Lough. After the port
town of Larne itself, the best of the
Causeway Coastal Route begins, with
spectacular cliffs and sea views over
WHERE TO STAY
to Scotland. Continue on the A2,
passing through Black Cave tunnel
AROUND CARNFUNNOCK
COUNTRY PARK and along Drains Bay. The entrance to Above The Gothic stone Barbican Gate, the main
Carnfunnock Country Park is just after entrance to Glenarm Castle
Ballygally Castle Hotel moderate the bay, on the left. Drive through the
Facing the sandy beaches of Ballygally entrance (marked with a pyramid) 3 Glenarm
Bay, 3 km (2 miles) on the A2 coastal
road from the country park, this castle and park in the car park. Co Antrim
dates back to 1625 and reputedly even This lovely forested glen stretches
has its own friendly ghost. Original 2 Carnfunnock Country Park along the Glenarm river, which is fed
beamed ceilings and period rooms Drains Bay, BT40 2QG; Co Antrim by streams gushing down from the
add to the charm and character.
Causeway Coastal Route, Ballygally, A perfect place for families to enjoy, glen. The Glenarm Scenic Route runs
BT40 2QZ; 028 2858 1066; www. Carnfunnock Country Park (open from the village of Glenarm, up the
hastingshotels.com daily) is a lovely country park of 190 B97 through the glen itself, back down
AROUND GLENARM Below The Glenarm river skirting the walls of noble Glenarm Castle, seat of the Earls of Antrim
The Londonderry Arms Hotel
moderate
This is a friendly, historic hotel in the
village of Carnlough (5 km/3 miles
on the A2 from Glenarm) at the foot
of Glencoy, restored to its original
Georgian style by the current owner.
Rooms are very comfortable, and are
individually furnished. There is a choice
of fine dining or relaxed bistro food
(see Eat and Drink, opposite). Curiously,
Sir Winston Churchill once owned the
Londonderry Arms.
20 Harbour Road, Carnlough,
BT44 0EU; 028 2888 5255;
www.glensofantrim.com

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