Causeway Coast
Recreation at Northern Ireland's coast
Categories: Causeway Coast Northern Ireland United Kingdom
Recreation on the coast of Northern Ireland - Causeway Coast
The Northern Ireland Causeway Coast is considered by many visitors to Ireland as one of the most beautiful regions of the island. The Causeway Coast is roughly congruent with the district of Coastal Causeway and Glens, which covers the northern coastal district of the British province of Northern Ireland.
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The district consists of approximately half of the historic county of Amtrim and half of the county of Londonderry to the west. The spectacular natural beauty of Causeway Coast is characterized by rugged cliffs and picturesque beaches. Further inland are the gentle Glens, the "Nine Valleys of Antrim", with lush greenery, waterfalls and Glenariff Forest Nature Reserve.
The most famous sight on the Causeway Coast is the Giant's Causeway near Bushmill, famous for its whiskey distillery. According to the legend a giant is said to have tried to build a dam on the coast all the way to Scotland. In fact, the Giant's Causeway is not the remains of an artificial dam, but a unique geological formation of tens of thousands of angular basalt columns of varying heights.
The impressive coastline can best be experienced by walking the Coastal Causeway route between Londonderry/Derry and Belfast, which extends beyond the district boundaries. The Gobbins, a cliff path carved into the rock at the beginning of the 20th century, with its tunnels and bridges, is particularly recommended.
Also worthwhile is a ferry trip from Ballycastle to the Atlantic island of Rathlin (100 inhabitants), which is extremely popular with birdwatchers.
At Ballycastle you can also enjoy another attraction of the Causeway Coast: A walk over the suspension bridge, which swings 30 metres above the water, to the mini-island of Carrick-a-Rede. For fans of the TV fantasy series "Games of Thrones" it might be interesting to know that parts of the popular series were shot in the Cushendun Caves not far from Ballycastle.
The largest town with 25,000 inhabitants in the 2,000 sq km district Coastal Causeway and Glens (140,000 inhabitants) is Coleraine. The wealthy town with its golf courses and marina is a university location: 6,000 students belong to the campus of the University of Ulster. The nightlife is more in the nearby town of Portrush. 
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The seaside resort, where many students live, scores points not least with its large nightclub and discotheque complex. Here you can also visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle. The neighbouring community of Portstewart is known for its ideal conditions for surfers. Other towns in the region include Ballymoney, which hosts the Ballymoney Drama Festival, Ireland's oldest theatre festival, every spring, and Limavady, the venue for several renowned music festivals.
