Things to do in Cushendun

Giant’s Causeway is one of the premier natural history attractions in Northern Ireland. Discover the rock formations, take in the views from the cliffs, go bird-watching, or enjoy a picnic.

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.

One of the few historic operating distilleries to offer tours, the Old Bushmills Distillery is a must-do for whiskey lovers. Even if you don’t like the strong alcoholic drink, it’s interesting to see the making of the malt concoction that Ireland is so famous for at one of Northern Island’s best-known producers.

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.

Many years ago it was a much more precarious crossing, when salmon fishermen would use the bridge to check their nets, before the catch here dried up. Today the bridge is one of the country’s most beloved visitor attractions - around a quarter of a million people every year make the trip across and back, though every now and again some lose their nerve and have to be rescued from the island!