Top Attractions
The area surrounding Dromore house is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. This stretch of iconic coastal landscape includes a World Heritage Site, historic ruined castles, one of the world's top 10 golf courses, the world's oldest whiskey distillery and some of the world’s most exciting film locations. It is a lot to take in but once you understand the importance of seeing even half of what this region has to offer, you will want to spend time exploring! After you have conquered even some of what we can offer on the north coast, you are only a short distance from The Wild Atlantic Way. Take the Lough Foyle Ferry from Magilligan just 30 mins away and start another breathtaking trip.
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway itself is an unbelievable sight to behold. Was it, its staggering 40,000 interlocking basalt stone columns leading into the Irish Sea the result of millions of years of seismic activity, or was there magic in the air? Certainly on a clear day it's easy to believe that it was indeed the creation of the giant Finn McCool to enable him to walk to Scotland and take on his arch rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner. Whatever you believe, don't wait for a fine day as it's stunning in all weathers.
Carrick a Reed Rope Bridge
A wonderful trip is to walk the dramatic coastal path that leads to the National Trust's Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy, Co. Antrim. It is well worth the effort, if you can brave the exhilarating rope bridge challenge, crossing the 24m deep and 20m wide chasm, then the views and sense of achievement are hugely rewarding! Open all year round.
Bushmills Whiskey distillery
In the small village of Bushmills, settled on the banks of the river Bush - you'll find the oldest working distillery in Ireland. Granted a licence to distill in 1608, the 400th anniversary has been recently been celebrated. The Old Bushmills, where you can try a drop of 'uisce beatha' - known as the 'water of life'- is meant to be a perfect restorative! Enjoy a whiskey tasting and guided tour of the distillery – learn how Irish whiskey is made and soak up 400 years of history …. or try a trip on the steam locomotive from the scenic Giant's Causeway to Bushmills - a truly unique experience.
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Royal Portrush Golf Course is home to one of the most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links and the hidden gem, the Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted the Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a members' club that welcomes visitors all year round to face the challenges of its course and brave the testing conditions. Portrush town itself has many attractions, most particularly the wonderful dining culture that has developed at the famous Portrush Harbour.
Deep sea fishing trips leaving from Portrush Harbour, are available for booking as well as trips to Rathlin island. The ocean here is great for surfing and other water sports. Scuba dive to wrecks (some off the beautiful Rathlin Island, a rare place of extraordinary ecological value), body board or windsurf - the choice is yours.
Mussenden temple & 18th Century Downhill Demense
Mussenden Temple is located in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near Castlerock in County Londonderry. It perches dramatically on a 120 ft cliff top, high above the Atlantic Ocean on the north-western coast – about 15 minutes from Dromore House. It offers spectacular views westwards over Downhill Strand towards Magilligan Point and County Donegal and to the east Castlerock beach towards Portstewart, Portrush and Fair Head. Over the years the Temple itself was under danger of being lost to the sea due to the erosion of the cliff which brought Mussenden Temple ever closer to the edge. In 1997 the National Trust then carried out cliff stabilisation work to prevent the loss of this lovely building.
Game of Thrones
Travel along the Causeway Coastal route, visit the coastal town of Ballycastle, which was the site of the Free City where the spymaster Varys was born and Ballintoy Harbour, where Theon Greyjoy returns to the Iron Islands.Take a look at other scenic sites including Cushendun, site of the cave where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow assassin, Giant's Causeway, Larrybane - where the Starks and Baratheons parlayed - and the famous Dark Hedges which are only 30 mins away from Dromore House.
Dunluce castle
The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. First built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513. It was seized by the ambitious MacDonnell clan in the 1550's, who set about stamping their mark on the castle under the leadership of the famous warrior chieftain Sorely Boy MacDonnell during an era of violence, intrigue and rebellion. In the 17th century Dunluce was the seat of the earls of County Antrim and saw the establishment of a small town in 1608. Visitors can explore the findings of archaeological digs within the cobbled streets and stone merchants’ houses of the long-abandoned Dunluce Town. The dramatic history of Dunluce is matched by tales of a banshee and how the castle kitchens fell into the sea one stormy night in 1639.
Londonderry – The walls & history of an historic city
Doire, Derry, Londonderry has 1,500 years of history and culture enclosed within Ireland’s only completely walled city. From the sixth-century monastic settlement to the vibrant European city of the twenty-first century, no visit to Ireland is complete without a visit to Derry.
We are happy to help you to arrange this delightful and fascinating day out – as excellent walking tours are available. With over fifty natural and built attractions in the region, such as Derry’s Walls, The Bogside, The Peoples Gallery (Murals) The Bloody Sunday Story, The History of the Apprentice Boys, The Marching Season Traditions. The walking tour has been listed by many as one of the best experiences they have had on their travels anywhere. The Peace Bridge is also a must-see and part of the historic fabric of Derry Londonderry.
Portstewart & National Trust beach/strand
A beautiful place in all weather for beach walking, surfing, water sports and most of all spotting wild life and the protected flora and fauna of these ancient sand dunes. National Trust protected, this must be one of the finest beaches in Europe.
Portstewart is an attractive small town with a host of things to see and do.
Ballycastle & Glens of Antrim/Glenariff forest park
The nine deeply sculpted Glens of Antrim need to be seen to be believed. The stunning views offered throughout mean you could spend a tremendous day driving this meandering coastal route, but do take time inland from the crashing sea to visit Glenariff Forest Park and the unique Waterfall Walkway, situated in the 'Queen of the Glens'. The Glens swirl with myths and legends, whether it's Glenaan with the legendary warrior-poet Ossian's grave or Glenshesk sweeping towards the ruins of historical Bonamargy Friary. Beautiful coastal towns such as Cushendall and the charming Cushendun, most of which is owned by the National Trust, are picturesque and welcoming places to stop for lunch and to while away a few hours.
