County Antrim's hidden gems

Join the Johnny Joes craic

For the quintessential Irish pub experience, drop in to Johnny Joes (McCollams bar) in Cushendall. The traditional music scene is strong here and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Have a meal at Upstairs at Joe’s or book in for a cookery lesson, then mingle downstairs as a session gets going. And if Cushendall Ruairi Ogs are in action, Liam Neeson’s favourite hurling team, be sure to go.   

See the humble beginnings of a US president

Once you absorb the nearby Carrickfergus Castle, next on your hit list should be this quaint cottage with fabulous views over Belfast Lough. Andrew Jackson Cottage and the US Rangers Centre is the ancestral home of seventh US President, Andrew ‘Old Hickory’ Jackson, and there are great stories behind it. A separate exhibit on the US Rangers, stationed in Carrickfergus during World War II, keeps the American theme.  

Wander through Glenarm’s walled garden

The array of indigenous and exotic plants at the beautifully laid out Walled Garden at Glenarm Castle is simply stunning to see and to walk around. You could then mosey on up the coast for lunch at Carnlough’s famous Londonderry Arms, once owned by Sir Winston Churchill.   

Tea up a Game of Thrones

What ‘Thrones’ fan could resist Dothraki trifle with mini dragon’s egg or Kingslayer cupcakes? These, and more goodies, are on the lush Game of Thrones-themed high tea menu at Ballygally Hotel, near to several filming locations for the iconic TV show. Explore them, have high tea, and check out the hotel’s resident ghost.  

Boardwalk the Glenariff waterfalls

There are many memorable trails and routes through picture perfect Glenariff Forest Park, but the most sublime is the waterfall walk, which runs over a series of boardwalks. The sights and sounds are ever-changing and when sunlight catches the spray, fleeting rainbows appear and disappear in a magical natural show.   

Climb St Patrick’s mountain 

Climbing the peculiarly shaped Slemish Mountain is to follow in the footsteps of St Patrick, who was enslaved here as a boy. The ascent is steep-ish, but rewarded with serenity, the chance to reflect on Patrick’s time in the wilderness, and amazing views of the Glens of Antrim, the rugged Causeway Coast and even to Scotland on a good day.

Go to Auld Lammas Fair

Between fine food, music, walking and more, there’s no shortage of festivals to grab your attention in County Antrim. But the Auld Lammas Fair is special; it’s been going without interruption for well over 300 years in Ballycastle. The town is bedecked with hundreds of stalls selling everything from horses to traditional foods. Held in August, you must go if you are in the area at that time of year.  

Have a pint in Mary McBride’s

Don’t miss a visit to McBride’s – one of Ireland’s smallest pubs. It’s a traditional house pub in the beautiful seaside village Cushendun, named after its former landlady, Mary McBride. Full of old-style character, good craic and even its own ‘Door of Thrones’, there’s nowhere cosier to enjoy a pint of the black stuff. 

 Eat dulse and yellow man

You can’t leave County Antrim without checking out a farmer’s market for some traditional dulse and yellow man, always the crowd favourites at the annual Auld Lammas Fair. Dulse, harvested from the Antrim coastline, is a salty, dried seaweed snack. Yellow man is like honeycomb, but even yummier.   

Paddle board in Ballintoy Harbour

Peaceful Ballintoy Harbour stood in for the fictional Iron Islands in the HBO drama, Game of Thrones, so picture yourself stood up on a paddle board on the water soaking up the vibes. The local paddle-boarding schools can have you up and running in Ballintoy or other picturesque spots on the Antrim coast in no time.   

Sunbathe with cows

Enjoy a picnic and a lazy beach day on the gorgeous stretch of sand at White Park Bay, and if it’s really hot, expect a few cows to lie down with you. They’re allowed to roam the dunes on this National Trust site to keep the grass short for the chough, a bird that feeds in the grasses.

 Ride the Big Dipper

Scare yourself witless on the Big Dipper, the Ghost Train or the Cyclone at Barry’s Amusements in the seaside resort of Portrush. As the largest theme park in Ireland, this much-loved fun fair is bursting with thrills, excitement and candy floss. Afterwards, celebrate or forget the shock at a nice meal at the Ramore Wine Bar and the Harbour Bistro in the town.  

 Sit in on a session

There are plenty of pubs and venues across County Antrim that host traditional Irish music sessions. In Ballycastle, the hotspots are House of McDonnell, O’Connor’s or the Central. In Cushendall, try Johnny Joes (McCollams bar) or Ballyeamon Barn, a well-known session house where locals gather for music, song and storytelling. 

 Plot a lovely garden tour

Find fresh ideas and cultivate new inspiration on a tour through a series of distinguished gardens, both public and private, on the Antrim Garden Trail. There are 10 real beauties to choose from, but a great place to start is the Antrim Castle Garden and Clotworthy House. This 400-year-old gem has been returned to its former glory in Northern Ireland’s largest ever garden restoration project.