Islandmagee (NT)

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Overview

Islandmagee is a peninsula on the East Antrim coast with cottages, rolling fields, quiet villages and spectacular coastline. It is a microcosm of the Northern Irish countryside. The name 'Islandmagee' hails from the Gaelic ‘Oileán Mhic Aodha’, meaning 'MacAodha's island', the clan whose home was once at Portmuck, one of three stretches of coastline and countryside on the peninsula owned and managed by the National Trust. Portmuck itself is a beautiful harbour located on the northwest coastline and steeped in history, from the site of an ancient monastery and castle to smuggling, lime production and fishing. Now it is a centre of leisure for the community and beyond, with a picnic area and clifftop walks offering views across the Irish Sea. Keep an eye out for kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills around the wonderful 'pig-shaped' Isle of Muck nearby. Further to the northeast, you'll find that Brown's Bay, with its sandy beach, is an ideal starting point for walking to Skernaghan Point which enjoys spectacular views of the famous Antrim coast. To the south lie 'The Gobbins'. The name has its origins in the Gaelic 'An Gobain' and translates to 'the points of rock'. Now an ASSI, the Gobbins cliffs afford stunning panoramic views and were the site of the now derelict Gobbins cliff path, cut into the rock and comprising suspended walkways and bridges, a feat of engineering once more popular than the Giant's Causeway.

Location

MULLAGHBOY, BT40

About the area

At its closest point, County Antrim is only 12 miles from the Mull of Kintyre, and its coastline is both beautiful and geologically diverse. Alternating sandy bays, rocky shores, high cliffs and forbidding headlands produce a dramatic scenery.