GARRON POINT, GLENS OF ANTRIM

Our holiday home is a Listed historic nineteenth century coastguard cottage that we restored in 1995 (Lady Londonderry and Winston Churchill were previous owners). It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is a perfect location for exploring the famous Glens of Antrim, Ballycastle, Bushmills, Giant's Causeway and other tourist attractions. In May 2014, the Antrim Coast Road was the route for the initial stage of Giro D'Italia.

There are lots of things to see and do, with unlimited opportunities for walking, fishing, boating, cycling and enjoying traditional Irish music in the local pubs. In addition, Belfast is only a short drive away (45 minutes ). There are many tourist, historic and cultural attractions in the city. It has a spectacular waterfront to the River Lagan, and the docklands have undergone recent major redevelopment, including the Titanic Quarter and the Titanic Museum.

At Garron Point,where the Glens meet the sea, exposed layers of limestone and volcanic basalt form spectacular cliffs. The area is ideal for walkers. The hills of the Antrim Plateau are accessible by footpath just on the other side of the coast road, where you can have beautiful walks in quiet, unspoiled countryside and be rewarded by magnificent views of the Antrim Coast and the Scottish Isles. It is also great for exploring by cycle, along the coast road, and into the Antrim Hills. https://youtu.be/2cWub9oL-a4,

A rocky foreshore is at the back of the house with flat rocks stretching out into the Irish Sea. It is accessible through the garden we share with our neighbours, and is a popular spot for sea fishing. There are also sandy beaches at Carnlough, Glenariff, Cushendall and Cushendun, all within a few miles. Glenariff has a Forest Park, with well mapped walking trails and a spectacular waterfall walk.

Carnlough also has a waterfall walk, and Cushendall has a spectacular cliff walk, leading to the ruins of an ancient church and graveyard at Layd Church. Cushendun is a very picturesque village, owned by the National Trust. It also has beautiful coastal scenery and some of the oldest exposed sandstone rock in Ireland.

Ballycastle with its spectacular coastline is within easy reach, and from here you can take a short ferry to Rathlin Island, and visit the RSPB viewing point at the West Lighthouse, for spectacular views of seabirds nesting in the cliffs. https://youtu.be/F9lRi9uuC5M.

The Antrim Coast Road is recognised as one of the most beautiful coast roads in the world, and is a popular tourist route. The road can be busy at weekends in the summer, and this might be a consideration if you have very young children. Mostly it is quiet, and at night all you will hear is the sound of the sea! There is a garden area at the back of the house through which you can access the sea. Attached are links to recent videos on the Antrim Coast Road, a video of a pod of dolphins at Garron Point in September 2015, http://youtu.be/j66kik8zb84, and in Belfast at the Titanic Quarter, http://youtu.be/LsTDSfjHDKQ.

http://youtu.be/geMTC8OumBM.
 http://youtu.be/WesH4uq22Og
http://youtu.be/u4o9rR6h-BI
http://youtu.be/rIYxTeCF3lk
http://interact.discovernorthernireland.com/blog/northern-ireland-a-mountain-bikers-paradise/
www.discovernorthernireland.com
www.giantscausewayireland.com:
www.northantrim.com:
http://www.antrimhistory.net
http://www.causewaycoastalroute.com/
 http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/
http://www.belfasthistory.org/
http://www.cityofculture2013.com/
 
We would be happy to exchange cars.