Things to do in Carnlough

The Stuart family, who wished to impress visitors to their home in the nearby Gracehill House, planted the beech trees here some 200 years ago. It is quite apparent from a visit here just how successful they were, as the Dark Hedges still astound visitors today.

Set in the valley of Glenariff, one of nine County Antrim glens and popularly known as the “Queen of the Glens”, the park is under half an hour’s drive from Ballymena and around an hour from Belfast. Some car parking is available for a small fee.

Unquestionably one of the finest castles in Ireland, it was built in 1636 and forms part of a working estate that includes forests, an organic farm and the Glenarm River, well-stocked with fish. Breathtaking views of the estate and the sea can be enjoyed from the Mount in the gardens.

Protruding from the northern coast of Ireland is the rugged headland of Torr Head. Follow the road around this headland to see rural Ireland and its dramatic coastline.

The first castle at Carrickfergus was built in 1177 by John de Courcy, a Norman knight who became a mercenary for the King of Leinster and conquered large swathes of Ireland. De Courcy set up Carrickfergus as his headquarters and ruled until the English King John sent an army against him and laid siege to Carrickfergus.