Guidebook for Carrickfergus
Food Scene
This bar restaurant has over 800 years history in Carrickfegus. Been in the same family for nearly 40 years. Good bar food, tasty and large portions. Also has early bird offers if eating before 7. Often has live music on a Friday night.
Lots of Ghost stories too, Elizabeth Dobbin the wife of the first owner haunts the bar with her lover 'Buttoncap' Check out the clips of Greatest Haunts on Youtube
Dobbins Inn
6-8 Antrim StThis bar restaurant has over 800 years history in Carrickfegus. Been in the same family for nearly 40 years. Good bar food, tasty and large portions. Also has early bird offers if eating before 7. Often has live music on a Friday night.
Lots of Ghost stories too, Elizabeth Dobbin the wife of the first owner haunts the bar with her lover 'Buttoncap' Check out the clips of Greatest Haunts on Youtube
Just across the road from our cottage, the coffee shop is in an old mill so has plenty of working neighbours with the council yard and the hardware store but don't let that put you off as it's amazing inside with loads of old world charm crossed with flat whites and Mars Bar scones
Season Coffee Shop
Just across the road from our cottage, the coffee shop is in an old mill so has plenty of working neighbours with the council yard and the hardware store but don't let that put you off as it's amazing inside with loads of old world charm crossed with flat whites and Mars Bar scones
Open early close late coffee shop in Carrickfergus. Good choice of Suki teas and comfy sofas for lounging
Creed Coffee Carrickfergus
Open early close late coffee shop in Carrickfergus. Good choice of Suki teas and comfy sofas for lounging
Small coffee shop with Delicatessen in a grassy courtyard. Great when the sun is out as they have quite a few seats outside on the the green were you can sip your latte and relax
Take Thyme Delicatessen
38 Scotch QuarterSmall coffee shop with Delicatessen in a grassy courtyard. Great when the sun is out as they have quite a few seats outside on the the green were you can sip your latte and relax
10 minute drive from the cottage in the little sea side town of Whitehead. Cafe and art gallery in a converted bank. Craft and knitting shop next door has many examples of what you can get up to with a pair of needles
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The Bank House
12 Edward Rd10 minute drive from the cottage in the little sea side town of Whitehead. Cafe and art gallery in a converted bank. Craft and knitting shop next door has many examples of what you can get up to with a pair of needles
The Square View Restaurant is one of the top rated in Carrickfergus and mains are £10-12. Comes highly recommended
Restaurant opening hours as follows:
Wednesday: 5pm-9pm
Thursday: 5pm-9pm
Friday: 4pm-9pm
Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 9am-8pm
Also does breakfasts and lunches
to book a table call 07786 947448...
Carrickfergus Cricket Club
22 Middle RdThe Square View Restaurant is one of the top rated in Carrickfergus and mains are £10-12. Comes highly recommended
Restaurant opening hours as follows:
Wednesday: 5pm-9pm
Thursday: 5pm-9pm
Friday: 4pm-9pm
Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 9am-8pm
Also does breakfasts and lunches
to book a table call 07786 947448...
If you are leaving us to continue the Causeway Coast do call in at the hotel here for tea and scones and they will show you the 16th Century Ghost room!
Even if you don't stop for the ghosts take a pause to walk the beautiful beach and the view out towards Scotland
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Ballygally Castle Hotel
Coast RoadIf you are leaving us to continue the Causeway Coast do call in at the hotel here for tea and scones and they will show you the 16th Century Ghost room!
Even if you don't stop for the ghosts take a pause to walk the beautiful beach and the view out towards Scotland
Essentials
bp
70-74 Malone RdFew minutes walk from the house, Petol, bakery, Subway and butchers in one store. Open 7 till 11
Getting Around
Bus, train and Taxi services
Main station in Carrick. Serves Belfast and Larne. Trains every half hour daytime, every hour evenings and weekends. Will give connections to Dublin, Londonderry, Bangor and the airports via bus
Carrickfergus Train Station
Main station in Carrick. Serves Belfast and Larne. Trains every half hour daytime, every hour evenings and weekends. Will give connections to Dublin, Londonderry, Bangor and the airports via bus
Milebush Cottages station
Bus stop for local services
Parks & Nature
Seaside walks, coffee & ice cream shops along the Irish Quarter. Nice walk on a Sunday morning then to get coffee at Mauds
Izindiza Zamanzi
Marine HighwaySeaside walks, coffee & ice cream shops along the Irish Quarter. Nice walk on a Sunday morning then to get coffee at Mauds
Walk along the victorian path to the lighthouse. Amazing views. Park at the marina carpark and walk along the coastal path
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Blackhead Lighthouse
20 Blackhead PathWalk along the victorian path to the lighthouse. Amazing views. Park at the marina carpark and walk along the coastal path
Carnfunnock Country Park offers over 191 hectares of mixed woodland, colourful gardens and spectacular coastline, with panoramic views of the Antrim Coast and North Channel.
The walled garden with its unique sundials and wooden sculptures is open all year round along with a maritime themed outdoor adventure playground, golf driving range and academy, way-marked walks, orienteering course, geocaching, wildlife garden, public toilets and picnic sites. Original estate features also remain including the Icehouse and Lime Kilns.
From March / April to October there are attractions to suit all ages: a maze in the shape of Northern Ireland, a family fun zone with miniature railway, bouncy castle, bungee run, remote control boats / trucks, bungee trampolines, WOW balls and 18 hole mini golf course; a children's activity centre with snack stop, outdoor games including putting, table tennis, giant chess and draughts; face painting and glitter tattoos; a touring caravan park and camp site; 9 hole golf course; barbecue areas and a modern visitor centre with gift shop and coffee shop.
Self-guiding educational material for the Maze, Walled Garden and general park environment can be downloaded free of charge from their website.
Carnfunnock also has a comprehensive and varied annual programme of events which includes falconry, bushcraft, face painting, art activities, educational events such as pond dipping, snake handling, bug hunting and seeing wildlife up close including foxes, hedgehogs and farm animals.
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Carnfunnock Country Park
Coast RoadCarnfunnock Country Park offers over 191 hectares of mixed woodland, colourful gardens and spectacular coastline, with panoramic views of the Antrim Coast and North Channel.
The walled garden with its unique sundials and wooden sculptures is open all year round along with a maritime themed outdoor adventure playground, golf driving range and academy, way-marked walks, orienteering course, geocaching, wildlife garden, public toilets and picnic sites. Original estate features also remain including the Icehouse and Lime Kilns.
From March / April to October there are attractions to suit all ages: a maze in the shape of Northern Ireland, a family fun zone with miniature railway, bouncy castle, bungee run, remote control boats / trucks, bungee trampolines, WOW balls and 18 hole mini golf course; a children's activity centre with snack stop, outdoor games including putting, table tennis, giant chess and draughts; face painting and glitter tattoos; a touring caravan park and camp site; 9 hole golf course; barbecue areas and a modern visitor centre with gift shop and coffee shop.
Self-guiding educational material for the Maze, Walled Garden and general park environment can be downloaded free of charge from their website.
Carnfunnock also has a comprehensive and varied annual programme of events which includes falconry, bushcraft, face painting, art activities, educational events such as pond dipping, snake handling, bug hunting and seeing wildlife up close including foxes, hedgehogs and farm animals.
The site is 390m (1230 feet) above sea level and is the largest war memorial in Northern Ireland. It is located on top of Knockagh Hill, above the village of Greenisland with a panoramic view of the city of Belfast.
Knockagh Monument
Monument RoadThe site is 390m (1230 feet) above sea level and is the largest war memorial in Northern Ireland. It is located on top of Knockagh Hill, above the village of Greenisland with a panoramic view of the city of Belfast.
The gardens opened in 1828 as the private Royal Belfast Botanical Gardens and it became a public park in 1895. The gardens' most notable feature is the Palm House conservatory. The foundation stone was laid by the Marquess of Donegall in 1839 and work was completed in 1840.[4] It is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast iron glasshouses in the world. Designed by Charles Lanyon and built by Richard Turner, Belfast's Palm House predates the glasshouses at Kew and the Irish National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, both of which Turner went on to build. The Palm House consists of two wings, the cool wing and the tropical wing. Free entry 7 days a week
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Botanic Gardens
1 Colenso ParadeThe gardens opened in 1828 as the private Royal Belfast Botanical Gardens and it became a public park in 1895. The gardens' most notable feature is the Palm House conservatory. The foundation stone was laid by the Marquess of Donegall in 1839 and work was completed in 1840.[4] It is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast iron glasshouses in the world. Designed by Charles Lanyon and built by Richard Turner, Belfast's Palm House predates the glasshouses at Kew and the Irish National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, both of which Turner went on to build. The Palm House consists of two wings, the cool wing and the tropical wing. Free entry 7 days a week
While here, walk across the bridge, note the unique sculpture by famous Northern Irish artist Deborah Brown and walk to the end of path and behind the apartments to see the Caves of Cushindun. Amazingly the caves where featured in Game of Thrones and are also the drive to a large house that is behind the hillside and is for sale at the moment for 300k if you want to live out your Bruce Wayne fantasy
Cushendun Beach
4 Maud CottagesWhile here, walk across the bridge, note the unique sculpture by famous Northern Irish artist Deborah Brown and walk to the end of path and behind the apartments to see the Caves of Cushindun. Amazingly the caves where featured in Game of Thrones and are also the drive to a large house that is behind the hillside and is for sale at the moment for 300k if you want to live out your Bruce Wayne fantasy
Shopping
Tesco Extra
Minorca PlaceEverything under one roof because every little helps ;-)
Victoria Square is Belfast’s premiere shopping and leisure destination featuring over 70 international and local brands, restaurants and the Odeon cinema. The centre also features the iconic ‘Dome’ which offers the best views of the city.
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Victoria Square Shopping Centre
Victoria SquareVictoria Square is Belfast’s premiere shopping and leisure destination featuring over 70 international and local brands, restaurants and the Odeon cinema. The centre also features the iconic ‘Dome’ which offers the best views of the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great bar in town that does amazing pub food too. Often has live music and karaoke nights
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Ownies Bar and Bistro
16-18 JoymountGreat bar in town that does amazing pub food too. Often has live music and karaoke nights
The South facing Boardwalk Deck is a great place to relax and unwind over a meal or quiet drink. With its awnings and patio heaters it is possible to enjoy the uninterrupted views late into the evening. Often has live music and Dj's on at the weekends
Windrose Bar and Restaurant
5 Rodgers QuayThe South facing Boardwalk Deck is a great place to relax and unwind over a meal or quiet drink. With its awnings and patio heaters it is possible to enjoy the uninterrupted views late into the evening. Often has live music and Dj's on at the weekends
Sightseeing
800 year old castle on the Rock of fergus (Fergus being the king that claimed Ireland and Carrick is Irish for Rock). Was used by the army up until 1918 so is in amazing condition and can be fully explored over the walls and the keep. My great grandfather was stationed there before world war 1 and my grandfather grew up there as a little boy.
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I-Carrickfergus Castle
Marine Highway800 year old castle on the Rock of fergus (Fergus being the king that claimed Ireland and Carrick is Irish for Rock). Was used by the army up until 1918 so is in amazing condition and can be fully explored over the walls and the keep. My great grandfather was stationed there before world war 1 and my grandfather grew up there as a little boy.
Gleno
Beautiful little village with lovely waterfall walk
Whitehead Railway Museum
Castleview RoadSteam trains available for short rides at weekends.
Flame Gasworks
44 Irish Quarter WMuseum of Gas... Erm, yes!
Old Marconi station that connected Ireland to the mainland of Great Britain that is worth the climb to see some fantastic views to the Mull of Kintyre oven on the Scottish coast
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Torr Head
Old Marconi station that connected Ireland to the mainland of Great Britain that is worth the climb to see some fantastic views to the Mull of Kintyre oven on the Scottish coast
Ruins of a 16th century castle jutting out to sea, viewed from the car park above. Walk a little along the path and look out for the waterfalls coming of the cliffs and if the wind is blowing on shore the water may get blown back up again!
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Kinbane Castle
81 Whitepark RdRuins of a 16th century castle jutting out to sea, viewed from the car park above. Walk a little along the path and look out for the waterfalls coming of the cliffs and if the wind is blowing on shore the water may get blown back up again!
Stunningly beautiful drive down from the Glens of Antrim to the shore with the most amazing views of where the Irish Sea meets the North Atlantic
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Murlough Bay
Murlough RoadStunningly beautiful drive down from the Glens of Antrim to the shore with the most amazing views of where the Irish Sea meets the North Atlantic
More breath taking views, this time over the lough to Donegal from this scenic spot 850 feet above sea level that is graced with a statue of Manannan Mac Lir the old Irish god of the sea which was sculpted by John Sutton an Irish artist who works on Game of Thrones
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Gortmore
Bishops RoadMore breath taking views, this time over the lough to Donegal from this scenic spot 850 feet above sea level that is graced with a statue of Manannan Mac Lir the old Irish god of the sea which was sculpted by John Sutton an Irish artist who works on Game of Thrones
Around 50 minutes drive from the Cottage this 19th-century estate and beautiful mansion belonging to Lady Londonderry has formal gardens & nature trails, plus a tea room, gift shop & bookstore. In the gardens is the stunning views from the 'Temple of the Winds' across Strangford Lough
Mountstewart Estate
Around 50 minutes drive from the Cottage this 19th-century estate and beautiful mansion belonging to Lady Londonderry has formal gardens & nature trails, plus a tea room, gift shop & bookstore. In the gardens is the stunning views from the 'Temple of the Winds' across Strangford Lough
Restored Victorian pathway along the coast that was recently restored at the cost of many millions. The path clings to the coast and has many cast iron bridges. A must see. Booking is required though.
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The Gobbins Cliff path
66 Middle RoadRestored Victorian pathway along the coast that was recently restored at the cost of many millions. The path clings to the coast and has many cast iron bridges. A must see. Booking is required though.