History and Culture
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The North Coast is steeped in history and culture and there are many fascinating details to be discovered - indeed, the area boasts eleven declared Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Dating from before 7000BC, the remains of the earliest known human settlement in Ireland can be found at Mountsandel on the east bank of the River Bann in Coleraine. Coleraine itself became a plantation town in the 17th century and you can explore the many cultural heritage sites on the Coleraine Historical Town Trail. The architecture of the town provides an interesting overview of how building styles have changed through the ages.
The remains of Dunluce Castle are to be found a few miles to the east of the popular holiday town of Portrush. Sitting on top of a wild, romantic coastline, the castle, which dates back to the 14th century (although the history of the site itself dates back much further), is one of the most picturesque in Ireland and was virtually impenetrable. While a banquet was being prepared in 1639, part of the castle collapsed into the sea, destroying the kitchen and taking the lives of nine servants.
Further along the Causeway Coast lies the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. Designated a World Heritage Site, it is said that this fascinating site came about when the giant Finn McCool tried to bridge the Irish Sea to get to his great Scottish enemy, Benandonner! However, scientists believe the Giant’s Causeway to be a marvellous natural phenomenon formed 60 million years ago, caused by North America splitting away from Europe, resulting in molten basalt developing into a lake, the crust of which cooled so slowly over the years that around 38,000 multi-sided vertical columns were formed. Whichever explanation you prefer, the mesmerising Giant’s Causeway is visited each year by people from all over the world who come to marvel at this extraordinary sight.
Another Geological Area of Special Scientific Interest is to be found at Portballintrae Bay. Portballintrae is located seven miles east of Portrush and a mile from the town of Bushmills, home of the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. The world-famous Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery became ‘legal’ when a local landowner was granted a license by King James 1st in 1608. The actual company was founded in 1783 and by the 1800s, whiskey was being exported across the Atlantic. The rest, as they say, is history!
Just outside the village of Ballintoy, connecting the North Coast mainland to Carrick Island is the famous (or infamous!) Carrick-a-Rede Ropebridge, spanning an eighty-foot drop into the sea. The waters round the island were exceptionally good for salmon and fishermen used the bridge to bring their catch back to the mainland. This was a considerable feat, especially when the bridge only had one handrail originally – not for the fainthearted! The bridge is now a challenge for locals and visitors alike.
Adding to the variety of wonderful attractions in the area is the famous Mussenden Temple, to be found on the clifftop at Downhill. This is a classical folly, inspired by the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli in Italy, built in 1783 by the Earl of Bristol. This marvellous monument has appeared in many photographs and films.