Dunluce CastleThe MacQuillans built it on the cliff edge around 1500 and the MacDonnells took it in the 1550s. The remains of the town laid out beside it in 1608 have been dug out of the grass.
Distillery or brewery
Old Bushmills Distillery
Bushmills, County Antrim
Bushmills dates its whiskey to a licence to distil in the area granted in 1608, and the distillery company here was formed in 1784. It still triple distils malted barley in copper pot stills beside the River Bush, and guided tours take you through it.
- Where
- Bushmills, County Antrim
- Official site
- bushmills.com
- Map
- Directions · OpenStreetMap
- Before you go
- Opening times, prices and access change. Check with the place itself.
Nearby
The closest places on our lists, in any county.
Dunluce CastleThe MacQuillans built it on the cliff edge around 1500 and the MacDonnells took it in the 1550s. The remains of the town laid out beside it in 1608 have been dug out of the grass.
Giant's CausewayHexagonal basalt columns step down into the sea below the cliffs north of Bushmills, formed as lava cooled just under 60 million years ago. It became a World Heritage Site in 1986.
White Park BayA white arc of sand between two headlands at Ballintoy, backed by old dunes. Cattle from a local farm wander along the beach at certain times of the year.
The Dark HedgesJames Stuart planted this avenue of beech trees on Bregagh Road in 1775 as the approach to Gracehill House, and the branches have grown together over the road. The road is closed to cars, so park at the Hedges Hotel and walk the few minutes up.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope BridgeSalmon fishermen first strung a rope bridge across to this rocky island near Ballintoy in 1755, and the crossing still hangs high above the sea.
Mountsandel FortPeople lived in Mountsandel Wood beside the Bann between 7900 and 7600 BC, one of the earliest known settlements in Ireland. The big ditched mound came much later.More in Antrim
Rathlin IslandIsland · BallycastleThe ferry runs out from Ballycastle, and the RSPB seabird centre at the West Light looks down on cliffs where puffins rear their chicks from late April to early August. The centre opens from spring to late summer.
Belfast City HallVisitor centre · BelfastOpened on Donegall Square in 1906 and built of Portland stone. William Pirrie brought skilled men from the Harland and Wolff shipyard to fit out the interiors, and guided tours go inside.
Carrickfergus CastleCastle · CarrickfergusJohn de Courcy began the castle soon after he invaded Ulster in 1177, on the water's edge in Carrickfergus. It stayed in military use until 1928.
Glenariff Forest ParkForest · GlenariffA boardwalk first built about a hundred years ago runs down the river gorge past the waterfalls, and the viewpoint trail looks down the glen to the sea.
Fair HeadCliffs · BallycastleDolerite cliffs east of Ballycastle, the upper half made of giant columns, looking out towards Rathlin. The walks start from a farm car park and cross working farmland.
The GobbinsWalk · IslandmageeBerkeley Deane Wise opened a path along these Islandmagee cliffs in 1902, and after a rebuild it reopened in 2015 with new bridges over the sea. You go on a guided tour.
Botanic GardensGarden · BelfastThe Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society laid out these gardens in 1828 and the city made them a public park in 1895. The Palm House and the Tropical Ravine are inside.
Ulster MuseumMuseum · BelfastThe museum sits inside Botanic Gardens on Stranmillis Road, and its collections run from natural science to art.