County Antrim - Environment

1. Tourist Attractions

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Giant's Causeway

Spectacular cliffs and headlands faced with basalt columns of different heights give shelter to a number of bays, while pavements of "Causeway Stone" march out in regular shapes from the foot of the cliffs towards the sea. Within the nature reserve, a series of paths run between the visitor centre at Causeway Head and Hamilton's Seat.

One path follows the cliff top, while another runs midway up the cliffs to provide breathtaking views of the Amphitheatre, the Chimney Tops, the Giant's Causeway itself, and Port-na-Spaniagh, where the Spanish galleon "Girona" sank in 1588.

In early summer, the ledges and cliff tops are carpeted with wild flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, kidney vetch, spring squill and thrift. Watch out for buzzards, peregrine falcons and rare choughs around the cliffs. Eider ducks and oystercatchers often feed in the sheltered bays below.

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2. Lakes

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The Living Lough

The great wetland habitats of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg constitute one of the most important bird sites in North- West Europe. Shallow waters and sheltered shores, wet grasslands and bluebell woods each harbour a wealth of resident and migratory birds, including 100,000 waterfowl.

Numbers of wildfowl peak in mid-winter when there can be more pocard, scaup and goldeneye than on all the other lakes of the British Isles put together. Internationally important numbers of wild swans come from Iceland and Siberia to winter in the fields and sheltered bays around the lough.

The surrounding countryside is equally rich in wildlife with good populations of foxes, badgers and otters, a profusion of wildflowers and many species of butterfly. Guided walks are organised by the staff at countryparks and nature reserves throughout the year. Miles of country lanes, river banks and forest nature trails such as at Drum Manor and Parkanaur offer leisurely exploration.

By early spring the departure of wintering wildfowl is well under way and an influx of passage migrants and summer visitors enliven the birdwatching scene. With the new breeding season comes the beautiful and spectacular display of 750 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, best observed from a network of hides at Oxford Island National Nature reserve, Randalstown Forest And Shane's Castle.

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3. Nature Reserves

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Breen Oakwood

At one time, oakwoods covered much of north-east Antrim. Gradually the trees were felled for timber and the land cleared for farming. Today, Breen Oakwood is one the last fragments of these once extensive woodlands.

The mature oaks form a dense canopy overhead, with birch on the higher ridges. Rowan, hawthorn, holly and hazel grow beneath to form an understorey, with alder and willow in the damper areas beside streams. Ferns and mosses thrive in the damp, shady conditions, while dragonflies, frogs and newts are attracted to the boggy pools.

Tits and treecreepers are common and keep an eye out for a sparrowhawk or buzzard hunting among the trees. Please keep to the paths. This will protect the tree seedlings, which are essential to the survival of the wood and cannot withstand trampling.

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4. Zoos

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Belfast Zoo

A modern zoo with a strong emphasis on conservation, the zoo's collection includes over 160 different animal species, many of them endangered. With all the traditional ingredients for a great day out, Belfast Zoo has something to offer both individuals and families.

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5. Bogs

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Slieveanorra Forest

High on the slopes of Slieveanorra Mountain are four plots of peat bog which show different stages in the formation and erosion of peat.

The owennaglush plot is a rare example of a raised bog in which the peat is actively growing, while the Orra Bog and Slieveanorra plots show what happens when shallow blanket peat is eroded.

The plant life varies from heather and deer grass in drier areas, to damp patches where sphagnum moss, sedges and cotton gras grow. Bog asphodel, bog-bean and insect-eating sundews live on the edges of bog pools on Owennaglush.

Hen harriers, merlins and red grouse have adapted to life and made their home in these upland areas.

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6. Open Farms

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Brookhall Historical Farm

Open farm with farm museum, gardens, tea house, craft and antiques shop and farm animals. Building which represents a 12th century place of worship and a beautiful closed garden which is an ancient burial ground. Also a holy well which is used for its healing properties.

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7. Islands

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Brown's Bay

The most popular tourist spot in the island, Brown's Bay has a beautiful, safe sandy beach bounded by hills on either side. It is an ideal spot for bathing, and a popular place for picnics. A walking route for Brown's Bay takes visitors to the Rocking Stone, a prominent local landmark on the shore, and headlands which overlook the sea and the Maiden Rocks to the north. Nearby is Ferries Bay, another sandy beach location.

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8. Harbours

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Carrickfergus Harbour

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9. Parks

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Ballyboley Forest

Historically Ballyboley has been used by man since early times and there is still the remains of a 'Boley House' in the south-west corner of the forest which was used when the cattle were brought up the hill for summer grazing.

Today it is a good example of multiple land-use with its large catchment area supplying water to the surrounding communities and the forest with its 673 hectares growing raw material for the saw mills. The forest was first planted in 1957.

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10. Wildlife Parks

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Lagan Valley Regional Park

The land is a mosaic of private and public owned land connected by the River Lagan, the old Lagan canal and the towpath. Public access is available to many parts of the Regional Park via the towpath and footpaths which lead through the fascinating countryside.

Full of history, wildlife and tranquility, the Lagan Valley Regional Park offers the chance to explore and enjoy the countryside at Belfast's doorstep.

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11. Rivers

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Stranocum

Rainbow trout can be purchased for table use at Bush Valley Fish Farm. Picnicing and car parking facilities are close by at Bush park.

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12. Caves

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Bruce's Cave

The most famous cave is Bruce's Cave, below the east lighthouse at the other end of the Island. Robert the Bruce hid here in 1306 after his defeat by the English at Perth, and it was a Rathlin spider whose arachnoid energies gave the despondent warrior new heart and sent him back to Scotland to win the Battle of Bannockburn.

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13. Cliffs

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Kebble

At the western end of Rathlin Island, sheer cliffs rise more than 100 metres above raised beaches of rounded cobbles, while towering stacks of rock stand guard just off the shore. The best time of the year to visit Kebble is the height of the breeding season for seabirds, early May to mid-July when the rough faces for the cliffs and rocky islands are crowded with thousands of breeding seabirds.

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14. Mountains

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The Glens of Antrim

In a distance of 40 mile along the Antrim Coast Road there occur examples of nearly every rock formation and epoch, from Schists over 300 million years old (the earths original crust) to lave fields, glacial deposits, raised beaches and flint beds. The red sandstone tints the beaches. All the way along, black and white boulders are scattered like dice.

The Glens are grand territory for game or sea anglers and for golfers. Botanists, geologists and archeologists spend happy days in rich hunting grounds and keen walkers follow the varied peatland, coastal and forest routes of the Ulster and Moyle Ways.

The names of the nine Glens, from south to north, are: Glenarm (glen of the army), Glencloy (glen of hedges), Glenariff (ploughman's glen), Glenballyeamon (Edward's glen and town), Glenaan (glen of little fords), Glencorp (glen of the slaughter), Glendun (brown glen), Glenshesk (sedgy glen) and Glentaisie (glen of the princess Taisie.)

The Antrim Moutains rise steeply from the Glens, but when you reach the top you find a great moorland plateau gently sloping for 15 miles to the valley of the river Bann and the busy town of Ballymena. There are not many roads up here-but those there are lead through superb, deserted scenery: past the forests of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless of Beagh, Glenbush, Glenariff and Ballyboley, over countless streams to tiny sheep rearing settlements like Newtown Crommelin.

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15. Water Falls

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Gleno Waterfall

Gleno Waterfall:
Gleno is famed for its beautiful waterfall, which is owned by the National Trust, and is among the scenic offerings of the area not be be missed by the visitor. Walks have been created around the area and a bridge crosses the river to allow a close up view of the waterfall. Seating is provided within the area too, and you can have a restful and relaxing time here, enjoying the best that nature has to offer by way of riverscape. Two adjacent car parks are reached via the Waterfall Road and are well signposted. A path also connects the river walk with the nearby ice cream factory.

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16. Woods and Forests

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Ballyboley Forest

Historically Ballyboley has been used by man since early times and there is still the remains of a 'Boley House' in the south-west corner of the forest which was used when the cattle were brought up the hill for summer grazing.

Today it is a good example of multiple land-use with its large catchment area supplying water to the surrounding communities and the forest with its 673 hectares growing raw material for the saw mills. The forest was first planted in 1957.

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17. Walks

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A Walk along the Causeway Coast

PORTBALLINTRAE TO BALLINTOY
There's no more splendid walk anywhere in Ireland for the ordinary pedestrian and it is waymarked almost all the way. Beach road soon gives way to a pleasant path past golflinks and a bridge over the Bush, a fine salmon river.

Rocky islet opposite Runkerry House is a salmon netting station, one of many on this coast. Follow cliff-top path to Giant's Causeway Centre, then take the low road to the Grand Causeway and on past strange rock formations and secret bays, including Port na Spaniagh where the Armada treasure ship Girona sank in 1588.

Then up Benbane Head via the wooden staircase ( a chance here to return along the cliff top.) Stride on westwards, losing height gradually, to ruined Dunseverick Castle - capital of the fabulous Kingdom of Dalriada - and a potentially useful bus stop if you have walked enough.

On now to Portbraddan, with Ireland's tiniest church (12ft x 6.5 ft) , and blond Whitepark Bay backed by dazzling limestone cliffs.

At the E end the track passes between islets of Carricknaford and the old shoreline of a raised beach. Stone Age flints have been found in the sea caves. Ahead lies Ballintoy, with its boat-bobbing harbour and little white church and, after Larrybane visitor centre, an exhilarating walk along the cliffs to the swinging rope bridge that connects Carrick-a- rede island to the mainland.

Distance 11 miles (18km)
Minimum Time 6 Hours

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18. Gardens

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Antrim Castle Gardens

These formal gardens in late seventeenth century style are a unique survival in Ulster. They lie within the old demesne of Antrim Castle, of which only a single tower remains. Formal walks are lined with hedges of hornbeam, lime and yew of a height rarely seen today rising to more than 20ft in some cases. Some walks focus on formal water features such as the Round Pond and the T-shaped Canal, others on a formal parterre garden, yet others on an earthen mound which has a spiral path running up it. The estate's former stable block has been restored as an arts centre, Clotworthy House.

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19. Bird Watching

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Birdwatching

Ornithologists from Britain and Western Europe come to study the birds of Northern Ireland every year, and with good reason. The province's position on the western fringes of Europe, and the sheer size of many of the flocks that breed or visit have made it of particular interest both to the experts and the increasing number of birdwatching visitors who are able to combine their special interest with a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings.

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20. Scenic Drives

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Donegal - The Inishowen Peninsula

'Past ancient sites and sensuous scenery to the Republic of Ireland's northernmost point.'

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21. Visitors Centre

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Lagan Lookout

The Lagan Lookout Centre offers a range of informative exhibits allowing visitors to celebrate the engineering achievement of the IR14 million Weir and interact with both Belfast's historical and future developments around the river.

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