The North Coast is one of Ireland's special places. Beautiful scenery, golden sandy beaches and rugged countryside are the backdrop for an area steeped in history and ancient Irish legend. The towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine are places of activity and the wild romantic coastlines provide visitors with a host of water sports, championship golf courses, scenic walks and more!

 

The North Coast is a golfer’s dream.  In this area of outstanding natural beauty, there is a fabulous choice of courses to play,

 

The North Coast is an absolute paradise for anglers, offering a variety of game, coarse and sea angling. Whether fishing sea or river, anglers of all calibres can enjoy the challenge of the catch. Two-thirds of all specimen coarse fish in Ireland are produced by the Lower Bann and the Bann itself is renowned as one of the best salmon rivers in Europe.

 

A number of major events take place in the North Coast annually.  These range from The North West 200, the motorcycling competition which is one of the biggest sporting events in Ireland, to the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, the most prestigious youth soccer tournament in Europe.  Soccer teams from as far away as the United States, Australia, South America and Canada have been attracted to this competition.

The Tullamore Dew Causeway Coast Golf Tournament is a hugely popular event, said to be the largest golf competition in Europe, which takes place at Royal Portrush Valley, Portstewart, Castlerock and Ballycastle courses.  The North of Ireland Amateur Golf Tournament held at Royal Portrush each year. Air show?

Each August, the wonderful haunting sound of the bagpipes fills the air as the North West Pipe Band Contest gets under way.  The two-day festival culminates in a massed band parade, with an atmosphere second to none.

Walking

Apart from walking on the magnificent beaches, there are beautiful forest walks to be explored, including the track through Mountsandel Wood on the east bank of the River Bann in Coleraine, where the remains of the first known human settlement in Ireland dating from 7000 BC can be found.

In complete contrast to the forest walks, the Causeway Coast Way, one of eight Waymarked Ways throughout Northern Ireland follows the wild, romantic North Coast coastline from Portstewart and Ballycastle.

In yet another contrast, hillwalkers can experience the solitude and serenity around the Glenullin area of the foothills of the Sperrins.

Watersports are not, of course, restricted to beaches and the sea.  The River Bann is a wonderful source of outdoor recreation and is popular with canoeists, water-skiers, rowers and, of course, anglers.  Pleasure trips run throughout the summer season and the marina has all the facilities required for sailing boats and cruisers.

Other sports and leisure activities popular and well-catered for in the area are horseriding, cricket, athletics, bowls, soccer, rugby, tennis, swimming, sub aqua and even sky-diving!  There is also a wide range of indoor, state-of-the-art leisure facilities such as Coleraine’s Leisure Centre, which includes a swimming pool and fitness studio.

Leisure and Sport

Throughout the whole area, there is an abundance of recreational activities to choose from in your free time.

The beaches of the North Coast are, quite simply, superb.  With miles and miles of golden sand, these fabulous natural playgrounds offer something for everyone and are popular all year round. Whether taking a leisurely stroll or a brisk walk along the beach, or if you prefer, surfing, bodyboarding or kayaking, or simply relaxing with the family while watching others take part in watersports, there is no shortage of choice here.  Beginning at the spectacular Whitepark Bay, the dramatic North Coastline is packed with beaches. Next comes Runkerry or Bushfoot Strand, a geological Area of Significant Scientific Interest, followed by Portballintrae Bay, part of the east of which holds a similar accolade. Portrush is the proud owner of two fantastic beaches - both of which have been accredited the European Blue Flag Award - the West Bay and East Strand (taking in the White Rocks); a little to the east lies Portstewart, boasting a beautiful strand stretching two miles to meet the mouth of the River Bann.  Look out for seals at Castlerock beach then admire the coastline of Downhill beach, overlooked by the famous Mussenden Temple. Next is Benone Strand, a beautiful beach very popular for kite flying and jet skiing and finally Magilligan is a magnificent unbroken seven-mile long stretch of sand, another Geological Area of Special Scientific Interest.

Eating Out

 

For More Information please visit www.northcoastni.com