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Ballycastle Culture & history

Our most recommended Ballycastle Culture & history

From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour

1. From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour

Discover the beauty of Northern Ireland and the world-famous Giant’s Causeway on a tour from Belfast. Visit the Giants Causeway, Carrickfergus Castle, Glenarm Castle, Carnlough Harbour, Waterfoot Caves, Cushendun Curfew House, Rope Bridge, and The Dark Hedges while navigating the Antrim Coast Road. After leaving Belfast in the morning, a short journey will take you to the first stop of the day at Carrickfergus Castle, a 12th-century Norman castle. Walk around and take photographs of the castle and the harbor. Continue the drive along the Antrim Coast Road, traveling through some of the nine Glens of Antrim. Wind through small towns and villages, hearing the myths and legends of the fairies and leprechauns that reside in these Glens. Driving through Glenarm, pass Carnlough Harbour, the Waterfoot Caves, and Cushendun Curfew house. Travel up through Glencorp and Glendunn, passing the coastal town of Ballycastle before arriving at the Portaneevy View Point to see Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.  Stop to admire views at the rope bridge and look across to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and Rathlin Island. Listen to the stories behind these sights before stopping next at the Dark Hedges, known as the Kingsroad in the Game of Thrones HBO series. Walk among the trees made famous by the Game of Thrones followed by a lunch stop at a traditional pub (costs not included).  Later, visit more locations from the Game of Thrones. Travel by Carnlough Harbour where Arya Stark swam and pass by Magharmorne Quarry where Castle Black was located. The finale of the day is a stop at the Giant’s Causeway where you can explore, walk across the historic stones, and learn about the legend of the Giant Finn MacCool. Discover how and why he built the Causeway.  After your day of exploring is done, travel directly back to Belfast via the inland route and get dropped off back in the city center or at the activity provider's office in Queen's Quarter.

From Dublin: 3-Day Discover Northern Ireland Tour

2. From Dublin: 3-Day Discover Northern Ireland Tour

Day 1 Departing Dublin at 09:00, you will travel north towards the border with Northern Ireland. From here, it will be a short journey into the city of Belfast famous for its industrial past and turbulent history. After a short tour of some of the key areas of the city, you will arrive in the newly redeveloped Titanic Quarter, where you will have time for lunch and perhaps a visit to the award-winning museum. Other options here include a visit to the SS Nomadic, the last surviving White Star Line steamship, HMS Caroline, the fascinating Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House or perhaps take a black cab tour of the city. Later in the afternoon, you will leave the city and travel into the countryside of County Down for a visit to the world-famous house and gardens at Mount Stewart before arriving in the seaside resort town of Bangor - your base for the next two nights. Day 2   Today, you will follow one of the world’s great driving routes – the Causeway Coastal route through the beautiful scenery of the Antrim Coast and Glens. The tour follows the coast road from Larne to the world-famous Giant's Causeway. Along the way, you will makes stops in attractive historic villages such as Glenarm and Ballycastle as well as scenic attractions such as the Cushendun Caves and the many viewpoints along this stunning coastline. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to explore the incredible rock formations at Giant’s Causeway. Several places along the route were used as filming location for the TV series "Game of Thrones" and the last stop of the day will be at the stunning Dark Hedges - make sure your camera still has some battery power left.  From here, you will return back to Bangor for another night. Day 3  After another day full of contrasts and fascinating visits, start with a trip along the Ards Peninsula – a great favorite with holiday makers from all over Northern Ireland. At Portaferry, take a boat across the mouth of Strangford Lough to visit Castle Ward with its 18th century mansion, extensive gardens and grounds, estate walks and for "Game of Thrones" enthusiasts, the location of Winterfell and other scenes. From here, it will be a short drive to Downpatrick, site of the burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. You will have time for lunch here and perhaps a visit to Down Cathedral or St. Patrick's center. In the afternoon, the tour will continue along the coast with the brooding granite peaks of Mourne Mountains on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. After a detour into the heart of the mountains through an area of traditional farms with their fascinating field patterns and huge stone walls, you will reach the coast again on the shores of Carlingford Lough for the final stop of the day. From here, you will return back across the border and travel south to Dublin arriving around 19:00.

From Belfast: Private Giant's Causeway County Antrim Tour

3. From Belfast: Private Giant's Causeway County Antrim Tour

Launching our new VIP Luxury Private Tour for this Summer Season. We value our guest experience, putting you at the heart of everything we do, and this summer we aim to go that extra furlong for your comfort and style. Offering esteemed guests the new Luxury VIP Private Tour to The Giant’s Causeway. Exclusively bringing you a combination tour that encompasses the essence of quality and comfort to your most desired locations. Luxury Giant’s Causeway Tour brings you the ultimate experience, on this full-day tour Experience a jam-packed day filled with Northern Ireland's top attractions, including the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Old Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce castles. This tour lasts from the time you wish to start until you are finished - no rush it's Ireland! Cruise ship visitors are time-sensitive and must be returned on time, so we are flexible with our timings to suit you, so you can spend as long as you want at any venue. Your tour will begin from your pickup location, where you will meet your driver/guide for the day. There we will begin our journey to the north coast traveling through the rolling farmland of County Antrim. Antrim Coast Road: The Antrim Coast Road is widely agreed to be one of the finest stretches of road anywhere in the world. The road hugs the coastline giving incredible seaside views, passing unspoiled beaches, and sheltering under rugged cliffs. You may even see Scotland on a good day! Carnlough Village: Our first stop of the day takes us into the amazing picturesque fishing village of Carnlough for a quick comfort break. Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge: Next stop we visit one of the most visited places in Northern Ireland amazing Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge where you can, of course, cross the bridge which spans a chasm over 75ft in height. The lovely coastal path provides a spectacular walk with stunning sea and cliff views. Next stop Giants Causeway, Commonly called ‘the 8th wonder of the world’, is the only World Heritage site in Ireland. During our stop here you can spend time climbing over the ancient stones, snapping photos, and reflecting on the myths and legends of this very unique area. Lunch Stop: we can stop for lunch in a nice Irish pub to sample our good food and maybe a cheeky pint of Guinness. Or you can sample some locally caught fish in one of the best fish and chips shops and of course not forgetting the mushy peas. Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery: Our next stop of the day is at Bushmills Whiskey Distillery which has been creating beautiful ‘water of life ‘since 1608 making this the oldest working distillery in Ireland. Dunluce Castle: We continue a wonderful day with a photo stop at Dunluce Castle. We arrive at one of the most dramatic castle ruins in the world. Prepare to be amazed at the way this old castle hangs over the edge of the cliffs. The Dark Hedges: last stop is one of the most popular natural phenomena in Northern Ireland, the Dark Hedges.

Ireland's North Atlantic Coast 5-Day Tour from Dublin

4. Ireland's North Atlantic Coast 5-Day Tour from Dublin

Enjoy a scenic tour of Eire and Northern Ireland’s Atlantic Coast on a 5-day package tour from Dublin. Stay in quaint bed and breakfast accommodation in Portrush, Donegal, and Westport along the way. Go to the edge of Europe at Achill Island, explore the new Titanic Quarter in Belfast to see where the ill-fated ocean liner was built, marvel at the dramatic geology of the Giant’s Causeway, and immerse yourself in Gaelic culture. Day 1: Depart Dublin at 09:00 and travel north towards the border with Northern Ireland. From here it is a short journey to Belfast, famous for its industrial past and turbulent history. After a short tour of some of the city’s key areas, arrive in the newly redeveloped Titanic Quarter, where you will have time for lunch and a visit to the award-winning museum. In the afternoon, experience the contrast between the busy city center and the scenery of the Antrim Coast and Glens. Follow part of the coast from Ballycastle to the world famous Giant's Causeway. Marvel at the stunning coastal scenery, before checking into your overnight accommodation in the holiday town of Portrush. Day 2: Go to the walled city of Derry, designated a UK City of Culture in 2013. Enjoy some free time to explore the old city center, and visit one of the many museums or galleries. Then cross the border to the Republic of Ireland, traveling into one of the most remote and unspoilt areas of the country. Explore County Donegal’s dramatic scenery and Gaelic culture. Pass through Glenveagh National Park and the Errigal Mountains, before following the coast through traditional fishing villages. Stop for nature walks along the way, and soak up the local culture before checking into your overnight accommodation in Donegal. Day 3: Travel south along the coast from Donegal to County Sligo, and see the grave of the famous poet W.B. Yeats. Gaze at the mountain scenery of Ben Bulben, before exploring Sligo Town at Carrowmore, site of the largest collection of megalithic tombs in Ireland. Continue west into County Mayo to discover an area hit hard by the great potato famine, leading many to emigrate to North America. Drive through large areas of farmland, bog, and open moor, enjoying panoramic views of the distant hills. Return to the Atlantic Coast and Achill Island on the edge of Europe. Savor the peace and quiet of the beautiful area, before driving to Westport for your next 2 nights accommodation. Day 4: Today’s itinerary is weather dependent, and your guide will advise the best things to see. Explore the beautiful house and grounds of Kylemore Abbey, or marvel at the wilderness of Connemara National Park. Go to Clifden to see where the first transatlantic flight landed. Other options include the scenic Sky Road and 12 Bens of Connemara. Return to Westport for an evening at leisure, and the chance to sample some local seafood in one of the many excellent restaurants. Day 5: Enjoy a leisurely start to the day, before leaving Westport and going inland through the heart of Connemara. Visit the village of Cong on the shore of Lough Corrib to see where the classic movie “The Quiet Man” was filmed. Explore Cong Abbey, or the Quiet Man Museum, before driving through the Maam Valley to Galway City. Enjoy some free time for lunch, and to explore the vibrant city center. Return to Dublin, stopping at the old whisky distillery of Locke’s Distillery in Kilbeggan to learn about Ireland’s favorite tipple en route.

Other Sightseeing Options in Ballycastle

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What people are saying about Ballycastle

Highlight of the trip . Barely noticed the amount of time spent on the journey up as the scenery was simply jaw dropping . Ideal amount of time spent at the Causeway . Driver have an interesting and entertaining commentary . Bus was incredibly comfortable . Outstanding value for money

we had to queue again at the counter for our 10-year-old child to access the castle, and again to access the garden, even though we had taken care to book on the Internet. Fortunately we were able to count on the kindness of the staff on site.

Really interesting trip, guide was really friendly, full of information and jokes to make the day fun and flow well. Stops were about the right length. Highly recommend it.

Excellent value - guide was superb, we saw so much and learnt so much. Absolutely must-see and we would love to go back in summer.

This was fantastic, it is truly a unique experience. We were lucky to have excellent weather.