Causeway Coastal Route

Want to experience Irelands real charm you’ll find it in the countryside where quaint tiny towns meet epic landscapes. One drive worth factoring into your itinerary for your visit to Ireland is the Causeway Coastal Route. A winding, coastal stretch of 190 kilometres between Belfast and Derry.

Crossing two counties and some of the most spectacular scenery, no matter where you go you will be gobsmacked at the sights to behold. A classic example is the Dark Hedges. The trees were planted in the 18th century as an avenue up to a Georgian mansion, Gracehill House and 300 years later they are still standing as a popular attraction for many visitors.

Like many places in Ireland, the Dark Hedges were used in the filming of Game of Thrones but for hundreds of years before that they inspired photographers, artists and filmmakers all over the world. The naturally eerie conjuring branches create a fantasy world and the trees are now protected for decades to come.

Not far from the Dark Hedges is one of Irelands most iconic sights, Dunluce castle. The castle is located in an incredible position on the north of the dramatic Antrim coastline on a rocky promontory. The powerful MacQuillan family built it in the 1500’s and you will get a sense of exploration, as you want to delve further into the history of the walls of the castle. If you look hard enough you never know what treasures you might discover, not to mention the amazing views from the outside. With access to the castle by bridge from the mainland, once inside you can explore the inside courtyard, towers and living quarters while imagining what life would have been like in a different era. Dunluce faced many challenges and battles and was taken by the MacDonnell clan, who still own the castle today.

You can’t help but walk through the sights on the Causeway Coastal Route and not feel inspired, you do not want to miss it.

For more information, visit the Tourism Ireland website: www.ireland.com