Page 267 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

NOR THERN IRELAND  265

5 Causeway Coast
Road map D1. Co Antrim. n Giant’s
Causeway (028 2073 1855).
Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge Tel 028
2076 9839. Open 10:30am–3:30pm.
Closed 25 & 26 Dec. & - 7
limited. ∑ nationaltrust.org.uk
The renown of the Giant’s
Causeway (see pp266–7),
Northern Ireland’s only World
Heritage Site, overshadows
the other at tractions of this
stretch of North Antrim coast.
When visiting the Causeway, it The roofless ruins of 13th-century Dunluce Castle
is well worth investigating the
sandy bays, craggy headlands Dunluce and only one massive it provides access to the
and dramatic ruins that wall remains. Once the capital salmon fishery on the tiny
punctuate the rest of this of the kingdom of Dalriada, it island across the 20-m (65-ft)
inspirational coastline. was linked to Tara (see p252) chasm. There are strong hand-
Approaching the Causeway by a great road and was the rails and safety nets, but it’s
from the west, you pass the departure point for 5th-century definitely not for those with
eerie ruins of Dunluce Castle Irish raids on Scotland. vertigo. Further east along
perched on a steep crag. Dating Just past the attractive, the coast lies Kinbane Castle,
back to the 13th cen tury, it sandy White Park Bay, a tight a 16th-century ruin with
was the main fortress of the switch back road leads down spectacular views.
MacDonnells, chiefs of Antrim. to the picturesque harbour of
Although the roof has gone, it Ballin toy, reminiscent – on + Dunluce Castle
is still well preserved, with its a good day – of an Aegean Tel 028 2073 1938. Open daily.
twin towers, gateway and fishing vill age. Sheep Island, & 8 in summer and by appt.
some cobbling intact. a rocky out crop just offshore, ∑ discovernorthernireland.com
Dunseverick Castle can be is a cormor ant colony. Boat
reached by road or a lengthy trips run past it in the summer.
hike from the Causeway. It is a Just east of Ballintoy is one
much earlier fortification than of the most unusual and scary
tourist attractions in Ireland,
the Carrick-a-rede Rope
Bridge. The bridge hangs
25 m (80 ft) above the sea and
wobbles and twists as soon
as you stand on it. Made of Fishing boats moored in the shelter
planks strung between wires, of Ballintoy Harbour

The North Antrim Coastline
Key
Minor road
Major road

Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge
Dunseverick
Giant’s Castle Sheep Island Carrick-a-rede
Causeway White Park Bay Rope Bridge
B14 Kinbane
Ballintoy Castle
Dunluce A2 B15
Castle Portballintrae Ballycastle
Bushmills A2
Portrush B17 B17
A2 B2 B147
Portstewart B17 B66 0 kilometres 5
B7
0 miles 3
For additional map symbols see back flap

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