County Antrim

As the home of the Giant’s Causeway, which rises like a pipe organ from the ocean near Bushmills, County Antrim is probably the most popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland. Easily accessible from Belfast, which straddles the border between Antrim and County Down, this rugged collection of glens and seacliffs looks like something from Celtic legend. Strolling along the exposed coastline, it’s easy to imagine the giant Finn McCool bellowing his fury across the North Channel. As well as the capital and the causeway, Antrim is dotted with seaside resorts and ruined castles perched on lonely headlands. Other highlights include historic ...

As the home of the Giant’s Causeway, which rises like a pipe organ from the ocean near Bushmills, County Antrim is probably the most popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland. Easily accessible from Belfast, which straddles the border between Antrim and County Down, this rugged collection of glens and seacliffs looks like something from Celtic legend. Strolling along the exposed coastline, it’s easy to imagine the giant Finn McCool bellowing his fury across the North Channel. As well as the capital and the causeway, Antrim is dotted with seaside resorts and ruined castles perched on lonely headlands. Other highlights include historic Carrickfergus and the Bushmills distillery, birthplace of Ireland’s most famous whiskey. Antrim is also rich in Celtic history, with hill forts, stone circles, cairns and cromlechs (dolmens) scattered around the countryside. To find your own vision of Ireland, fly into Belfast and explore the backwaters of Antrim by rented car or pedal power.

About the Expert

Joe Bindloss has written more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Time Out and other publishers, with a focus on Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and island nations.