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A walkway and tubular bridge fixed to the sea cliffs on the Gobbins path
On the map of County Antrim

Walk

The Gobbins

Islandmagee, County Antrim

Berkeley 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.

Where
Islandmagee, County Antrim
Before you go
Opening times, prices and access change. Check with the place itself.

More in Antrim

  1. Basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway stepping down into a rough sea under a blue skyGiant's CausewayCliffs · BushmillsHexagonal 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.
  2. The rope bridge running across to the rocky island of Carrick-a-Rede, with the sea on both sidesCarrick-a-Rede Rope BridgeBridge · BallintoySalmon fishermen first strung a rope bridge across to this rocky island near Ballintoy in 1755, and the crossing still hangs high above the sea.
  3. The ruined walls of Dunluce Castle on its cliff above the sea, with the stone bridge leading acrossDunluce CastleCastle · PortrushThe 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.
  4. Twisted beech trees arching over the narrow road at the Dark HedgesThe Dark HedgesWalk · ArmoyJames 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.
  5. Green clifftops on Rathlin Island running out to a small lighthouse, with the mainland across the waterRathlin 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.
  6. The front of Belfast City Hall with its green copper domes, seen across the groundsBelfast 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.
  7. Water falling in several strands over a dark rock ledge into a pool in Glenariff Forest ParkGlenariff 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.
  8. The whitewashed buildings and red pagoda roofed tower of the Old Bushmills DistilleryOld Bushmills DistilleryDistillery or brewery · BushmillsBushmills 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.

All of Antrim

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