Page 237 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 23: Classic Northern Ireland 235

EAT AND DRINK
AROUND CARNFUNNOCK
COUNTRY PARK
Garden Restaurant in Antrim
moderate
The restaurant at the Ballygally Castle
Hotel is the most attractive place for a
meal in these parts. It is located inside
the castle walls and looks out over the
gardens. The chefs pride themselves
on their use of local produce. A set
menu is offered at lunch, while in the
evening guests can choose between
Above View over the beautiful forested slopes of Glenariff towards the sea table d’hôte or bistro menus. An
informal lunch menu is also available
in the hotel bar.
to the coast through the next glen, 5 Glenariff Forest Park Causeway Coastal Route, Ballygally,
Glencoy, and along the A42 to BT44 0QX; Co Antrim BT40 2QZ; 028 2858 1066;
Carnlough. Along the way is Gothic This stunning forest park (open daily) www.hastingshotels.com
Glenarm Castle, seat of the Earls of in the upper part of the glen, has AROUND GLENARM
Antrim. Its extensive grounds include many scenic, circular, waymarked Frances Anne and Tapestry
a delightful 18th-century Walled trails and walks that lead through Restaurant expensive
Garden (open May–Sep; closed Tue) and mixed woodlands, along the Inver The award-winning cuisine at this
tea rooms in the old Mushroom and Glenariff rivers, past waterfalls elegant restaurant in the Londonderry
House. The Walled Garden is especially and to viewpoints with panoramic Arms Hotel focuses on ingredients
lovely in spring when a sea of spring views down the mountainsides and sourced from the Glens of Antrim, such
as wild salmon. Fine wines and whiskies
bulbs and clouds of apple and pear all the way to the Mull of Kintyre in are also on offer. For those looking for
blossom are a breathtaking sight. Scotland. Especially well worth something more relaxed, the hotel’s
ª Continue on the A2 via Carnlough seeing are two of the park’s largest welcoming Coach House Bistro
to Waterfoot. and most spectacular waterfalls, (moderate) serves up good-quality pub
Ess na Larach, which has a viewing- favourites including various steaks,
seared salmon and confit of duck.
4 Waterfoot point bridge, and Ess na Crub. 20 Harbour Road, Carnlough, BT44 0EU;
Co Antrim ª Leaving the Forest Park, turn left 028 2888 5255; www.glensofantrim.com
Waterfoot (also known as Glenariff), onto the A43, then right onto the B14
the village at the mouth of Glenariff, along the glen of Glenballyeamon Below left St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm
is set on Red Bay, so-named for its to Cushendall. Below Pretty fishing village of Carnlough
sandstone cliffs and the resulting
shade of the sand on its long stretch
of beach. Glenariff is known as the
“Queen of the Nine Glens of Antrim”.
It is a U-shaped valley bounded on
either side by precipitous hills, and
the landscape really is spectacular,
with everything from seashores and
cliffs to dense forest and waterfalls.
The Glenariff Forest Park Scenic
Route, along which the route runs,
is typical of the wonderful glen
scenery that is a highlight of
driving in Antrim.
ª At the end of Waterfoot village,
turn left at the T-junction onto the
A43, signposted for Glenariff Forest
Park. Follow this road; the entrance
to the forest park is on the left.

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