Bushmills, Co. Antrim

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Located three miles south of Portrush, known for its distillery and for excellent fishing on the River Bush, Bushmills is an ideal spot from which to tour the north Antrim coast. 

The world famous Old Bushmills Distillery (+44 (0) 28 2073 1521, open all year) is the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery having received its licence to distil in 1608 and is devoted to the production of single malt Irish whiskey. 

The north Antrim coast has some magnificent sites to offer the visitor including the extraordinary geological feature, the Giants Causeway.  This world heritage site has spectacular cliffs and headlands faced with basalt columns, the area also includes a nature reserve, and the Causeway Visitor Centre (+44 (0) 28 2073 1855), which explains the geology of the area. 

Carrick a Rede rope bridge (+44 (0) 28 2076 9839, open March to October) is another must see, which has spanned the 60ft gap between the mainland and Carrick a Rede island for at least 200 years.  A walk along the cliff top path gives excellent views of Rathlin Island and the west coast of Scotland. 

The north Antrim coast is also home to one of Ireland’s most spectacularly sited castles, Dunluce Castle (+44 (0) 28 207 31938, open March to October), perched on a rock stack connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge; the oldest parts of the castle date back to the 14th century. 

Anglers can take advantage of the outstanding salmon and trout fishing available on the River Bush and the Lower Bann.