Page 29 - OUR VIBE ISSUE 1 design

5
‘The Lord’ Basalt Stack
10
Browns Bay Beach
3
Blackhead Path
4
Blackhead Lighthouse
M
ost of us will have travelled at least part of the epic Causeway CoastalRoutefrom Belfast to Derry/
On a beautiful September morning I begin my trip beside the harbour at Carrickfergus Castle carpark. My journey will first take me to Whitehead and follow on up the Islandmagee Peninsulaculminatinginawalkalong Browns Bay Beach at the tip of the peninsula.
The carpark is adjacent to Carrickfergus Castle. You can not fail to be impressed by this wonderful example of a Norman castle. Built in 1177 by John de Courcy, it has since been the starting point for a lot of Northern Ireland’s colourful history. Unfortunately, at the time of my trip, the castle remains closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions but it is still well worth taking a walk around it’s formidable walls. If you venture to the end of the pier and look back, you can really appreciate it’s dominance over the local landscape. To the right of the castle, you can follow the path past The Premier Inn to Carrickfergus Marina with it’s wide variety of yachts and boats. There is something very soothing to sit on one of the benches overlooking the marina and listen to the symphony of clanging halyards againstthemasts.Totheleftofthe castle you can take the promenade walk to Fishermans Quay.
If refreshments are required before continuing on the road trip, I would personally recommend the Windrose Restaurant situated right beside the marina. Or, if you have chosen the promenade walk then try Ownies Bar & Bistro located on the street behind theClockToweracrossfromthe promenade or further along the same street is Castello Italia.
Back to the car and from the castle carpark I turn right at the roundabout onto the Marine Highway which becomes the Belfast Road. After approximately 5 miles I reach the small seaside town of Whitehead. Well worth a visit is the Whitehead Railway Museum. The fascinating five gallery museum allows you to rub shoulders with the giants of steam from a bygone era. This is the home of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and you can view the restoration workshop where these historic vehicles are brought back to life. The museum runs short trips on a steam train during the summer season and on selected dates around Halloween and Christmas. The Edwardian Tea Room is on site to offer tea/coffee and light snacks. Toilets are available.
A short distance from the museum is the Blackhead Path. This is a shoreline walk from Whitehead carpark to Blackhead lighthouse. The path has recently been fully restored and on a good day it is a wonderful walk with great views and lots to see. It takes approximately one hour to walk to the foot of the lighthouse and back. For the extremely fit, the climb of 144 steps from the path up to the lighthouse is well rewarded by fantastic panoramic scenic views.
Londonderry. However, to fully appreciate all that this breath-taking, dramatic and inspiring road trip has to offer requires several days and overnight stays. If your time is limited but you still want an adventurous scenic coastal drive with spectacular views and loads to see and do, then try the Islandmagee Peninsula route. This peninsula is an often forgotten about appendage to the main Causeway Coastal Route but well worth exploring.
1
Carrickfergus Marina
OUR VIBE NI - AUTUMN 2020
29