Top 5: Sights on Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route

Get ready for an epic road trip along the shores of Northern Ireland. From Belfast to Derry-Londonderry, the Causeway Coastal route takes you on one of the most scenic highways in the world. There are too many sights to see to list here, so we’ve narrowed it down to the Top 5.

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Giant’s Causeway

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited destinations in Northern Ireland. Legend has it Irish warrior-giant Finn MacCool built this causeway after being challenged to a fight by Benandonner of Scotland. In reality, these 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed 50 to 60 million years ago, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

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The Gobbins Cliff Path

Built in 1902, The Gobbins is a series of tunnels and bridges letting visitors explore the basalt cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea. The attraction closed in 1954, but after five years of renovations it recently reopened with 15 new bridges and six new galleries.

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Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Not for the faint of heart, this swaying rope bridge hangs 100 feet in the air, connecting the Northern Ireland mainland to the bridge’s namesake island. Fisherman have been building bridges to Carrickarede for centuries, but these days you’re more likely to see daring tourists crossing the bridge. Those who walk across are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline. On a clear day, you can even look across the North Atlantic Ocean to catch a glimpse of Scotland in the distance.

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Bushmills Distillery

Authorized by King James I in 1608, the Bushmills Distillery is considered to be the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. Take a tour to learn all about the history of Bushmills and see first hand how it’s made. Before you go, be sure to stop by the tasting room to sample the 12 Year Old Distillery Reserve which can only be tasted and purchased at Bushmills.

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Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle was built in the late Middle Ages by Richard Óg de Burgh, the 2^nd Earl of Ulster. It passed through the hands of the McQuillan and MacDonald royal families before it was vacated at the end of the 17^th century. Its adjacent village is also famous as the “lost town of Dunluce,” of which only 5 percent has been excavated by archeologists.

Click here to discover everything there is to see along the Causeway Coast.