Antrim

Giants Causeway:

What is it?
The Giants causeway is a rock structure of historical and mythical importance. The Girona ran aground against the rocks during the Spanish Armada. The causeway was formed as the result of the cooling and crystallization of volcanic rock and formed an almost unique pattern. The mythical story is that the giant Finn MacCool built the causeway by tearing up the cliff so that his Scottish rival giant had a path to cross so he could come and fight him in Ireland.

Facilities
There is a visitors centre with a gift shop.

How much?
Free, except for guided group tours, £3 for adult, £2 for children

Where is it?
44a Causeway Road, Bushmills Road, BT57 8SU

When is it open?
Seven days a week, 10am-5pm, except November - February, 10am - 4.30pm

Telephone: 028 2073 1582 (North Antrim Office)

Carrickfergus Castle:

What is it?
A well-preserved, 800-year castle that has seen a lot of action since being built by the Normans. Its history, and it was in use right up to World War II, is brought to life with the help of life size models. You can walk round the castle yourself using the information boards, guides and maps can be bought at the visitor centre, or you can join a guided tour.

Facilities
There is a visitor centre at the entrance to the castle which provides a gift shop and refreshment area.

How much?
Adult - £3
Children / Senior Citizens - £1.50
Family (2 adults, 2 children) - £8

Where is it?
Marine Highway
Carrickfergus
Co. Antrim

When is it open?
Winter
Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm
Sun - 2pm - 4pm

April / May / September
Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm
Sun - 2pm - 6pm

June / July / August
Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm
Sun - 12pm - 6pm

Telephone: 028 9335 1273

The Giant's Ring

What is it?
It is the largest prehistoric ritual enclosure in Ireland, a silent arena which holds the secrets of forgotten ceremonies of 4,000 years ago .A circular earthwork up to 12 feet high surrounds an open space nearly 600 feet in diameter and some 7 acres in area. Five 'entrance' gaps, not all of which are presumed to be original, give access to the interior of the ring.of the bank. The ground inside the enclosure is somewhat higher at the centre, rather like an inverted saucer, evidently the result of earth having been removed from round the edge to provide additional material for the construction of the bank. Placed slightly off centre in the ring is a megalithic chamber with passage-tomb affinities, consisting of five orthostats supporting a tilted capstone. If there was a covering cairn no trace of it remains. While not necessarily contemporary, both tomb and earthwork are probably of late Neolithic date.

Facilities:
It is a favourite haunt of picnickers and dog-walkers.

How much?
Admission Free

Where is it?
Four miles south of Belfast in the townland of Ballynahatty, on a plateau overlooking the River Lagan

When is it open?
All year round

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

What is it?
It is Ireland's most famous rope bridge spanning a chasm some eighty feet deep. It's construction once consisted of a single rope hand rail and widely spaced slats which the fishermen would traverse across with salmon caught off the island. The single handrail was subsequently replaced by a two hand railed bridge, the current, caged bridge was installed by the National Trust during Easter of 2000 as a further safety measure. The area is exceptional in is natural beauty.

Facilities
Exhilarating coast path experience. Fantastic bird-watching.

How much?
Rope Bridge: Adult £2.50, Child £1.30, Family £6.30. Groups £1.90

Where is it?
119a Whitepark Road, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim BT54 6LS

When is it open?
4 Mar–28 May '06 10am–6pm
29 May–3 Sep '06 10am -7pm
4 Sep–31 Oct '06 10am–6pm
Car park and coastal path open all year

Telephone: 028 2076 9839 (Visitor reception)

The Old Bushmills Distillery

What is it?
It claims to be the "Worlds Oldest Whiskey Distillery" based on the undisputed fact that a seven year licence to distill dating from April 20th 1608 is attributed to the distillery. In 1608 Sir Thomas Phillips was granted a licence to distil whiskey by James 1 of England, however, mentions of distilling traditions in the surrounding environs date back to 1276.

Facilities
Coffee shop. Gift and whiskey shops. Wheelchair access limited.

How much?
Adult - £5, Child £2.50 (Children 7 years and under not permitted into production areas), Senior Citizen / Student 18 yrs + £4.50, Family £13 ( 2 adults and 2 or more children 8 – 17 yrs)

Where is it?
On the Castlecatt Road out of Bushmills Village. Follow brown tourist signs.
Main Street
Bushmills
Antrim
BT57 8XH

When is it open?
Apr-Oct: (Mon-Sat) 9.30am-5.00pm, Sun 12.00pm-5.00pm, last tour 4 pm; Nov-March 7-day opening but reduced tours. Phone for tour times.Groups by arrangement. Closed Good Friday afternoon, 12 July and Christmas/New Year.

Telephone: (028) 2073 1521
Fax: (028) 2073 1339
Web: www.bushmills.com
Email: valariecoils@diageo.com

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland

What is it?
It is a Railway Preservation Society dedicated to preserving working order steam locomotives and other rolling stock built for the Irish railway system, from 1850 to the present day. The RPSI maintains, for the benefit of the public, a museum at Whitehead to advance the understanding and appreciation of the history and operation of railways in Ireland.

How much?
Check www.rpsi-online.org/events/ for full ticket details.

Where is it?
The RPSI's Whitehead depot lies approx 12 miles north of Belfast on the old Belfast - Larne road (A2). On approaching Whitehead town, DOE signs direct the traveller to 'Railway Society'.
Whitehead Excursion Station
Castleview Road
Whitehead
Whitehead
BT38 9NA
Antrim
Northern Ireland

When is it open?
Check www.rpsi-online.org/events/ for full ticket details.

Telephone : 028 2826 0803
Fax : 028 2826 0803
Website: www.rpsi-online.org
Email: rpsitrains@hotmail.com
Tel: (028) 2826 0803
Fax: (028) 2826 0803

Antrim Castle Gardens

What is it?
It is one of three surving late seventh century gardens in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The site contains many exceptional features including an ancient motte, a spectacular and unique parterre, long canal, round pond and paths through the demesne, as well as remnants of Antrim Castle.

Clotworthy Arts Centre Clotworthy is also in the gardens, it was built in the 1840’s as a coach house and stables for Antrim Castle. It was restored by Antrim Borough Council as an Arts Centre in 1993 and has become the Borough's premiere venue for the presentation of drama, music and visual arts.

How much?
Admission Free to Gardens. Charge for guided group tour.

Where is it?
Randalstown Road
Antrim
Access from Randalstown Road, outside Antrim town centre, off A26 on A6.

When is it open?
(Mon - Fri) 9.30am - 9.30pm (or dusk if earlier)
Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sun 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Telephone: 028 9448 1338
Email: clotworthyarts@antrim.gov.uk

Cranfield Church & Holy Well

What is it?
It is the ruins of a ancient 13th century Irish Church. A few yards east of the church is a holy well, with fine spring water and amber colored crystals. There is a tradition that states that St Olcan's well was blessed with healing properties by St Olcan who reputedly lies buried at Cranfield's 13th century church in earth brought from Rome. Pilgrimages were made to Cranfield annually between May Eve and 29 June.

How much?
Admission Free

Where is it?
On the shores of Lough Neagh at Churchtown Point, Cranfield, County Antrim

When is it open?
All year round.

Telephone
Antrim Information Centre 028 9442 8331

Templeton Mausoleum

What is it?
It is family mausoleum is in the shape of a triumphal arch. The tomb is in the care of the National Trust and was originally designed by Robert Adam in 1789 in memory of Hon. Arthur Upton. It has classical urns, leafy swags and circular reliefs surrounding the arched door to the vault.

How much?
Admission Free.

Where is it?
Situated in the graveyard of Castle Upton, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland BT39

When is it open?
All year round.

Telephone : National Trust 028 9751 0721

Brookhall Historical Farm

What is it?
It has a farm museum which celebrates the farm machinery typically used by local Northern Ireland farmers in the early and mid 20th century. The farm house (not open to the public) dates back some 400 years and featured in the religious and political turmoil of Ulster in the 1640s. Earlier still, church records from the 13th century refer to a church on this site. The ancient place-name, Drum-cil - meaning "the mound of the church" - survives locally in "Drumsill Road".

Facilities
Country Farm Tea House
A annual craft fair on May Day; Vintage car rallies;
Caravan club events;

How much?
Adults £3.00, Children £1.50 each

Special rates for Adult Group Bookings

Guided Tours for all Groups & School Parties

No Dogs Allowed

Where is it?
approximately 3 miles from the City of Lisburn, on the B104 Ballinderry Road.
Brookhall Historical Farm
2 Horse Park
Ballinderry Road
Magheragall
LISBURN
BT28 2QU

When is it open?
Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 11.00am – 5.00pm
Sun 2.00pm – 6.00pm
Easter – October

School Groups & Tours – Special arrangements will be made, also evening appointments

Telephone : 028 9262 1712
Email: coultermedia@aol.com
Website: www.brookhall.com