Hidden Irish travel gems: A journey through the north and northwest

To learn more about the Scots-Irish of Donegal visit the Monreagh Ulster Scots Heritage Centre and meet the members of the East Donegal Ulster Scots Society. The date 1644 is proudly displayed above the local church door. For more information visit www.eastdonegalulsterscots.com.

Day Seven (North West: County Antrim)

Leave via the Causeway Coastal Route, rated as one of the world’s Top Five Road Trips. The Giant’s Causeway is a World Heritage Site and draws as many as 600,000 visitors each year. The Causeway’s hexagonal columns were formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago.

Continue to Belfast through the Nine Glens of Antrim. Enjoy afternoon tea at 18th century Glenarm Castle and learn about the McDonnells and the migration of earlier Scots into the Glens. Ballygally Castle was built by Shaw of Greenock in the Scottish Baronial style. Admire stunning views across to Scotland and learn about the history of the area from the time of the Plantation of Ulster. Just down the coast is the Londonderry Arms, once owned by Sir Winston Churchill and now a popular seafood restaurant. Continue the drive to Andrew Jackson Centre and Carrickfergus Castle on your way into Belfast.

Try to schedule a half-day trip to Rathlin, home of the spider story of Robert the Bruce. On the Bushmills Distillery tour learn how whiskey was made hundreds of years ago (and today). Walk down to Dunseverick before returning to Belfast or heading to the airport for your journey home.

​
Nster.com