Mussenden Temple built in the 1785, is perched on a cliff top with magnificent views over Benone Strand and the Donegal Coast.
Built by Bishop Hervey, reputedly for his mistress, it was modelled on the Temples of Vesta in Italy.
Over the years
has brought Mussenden Temple ever closer to the edge of the cliff, and in 1997 the National Trust carried out cliff stabilisation work to save of the building.
Hezlett House
Hezlett House, is one of only a few
buildings in Northern Ireland that survive from the 1600's. It is maintained by the National Trust and has a small museum
of farm implements. Guided tours are available.
Giants Causeway
The
Giants Causeway is famous for its hexagonal rock formation resulting from volcanic activity some 60 million years
ago. There are some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea.
The stone columns are mostly 6-sided, but some are 4, 5, 7 and 8 sided. They were formed about 60 million years ago by the cooling and shrinking of molten lava from a vast volcanic eruption
that formed the Antrim plateau
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge spans a chasm between the Antrim coast and a small island used by fishermen. There is an eighty foot drop to the sea
and rocks below and the bridge is not for the faint hearted!
The bridge is dismantled every Autumn and re-built every Spring - well would you want to cross it in a winter storm?
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is separated from the mainland by a deep chasm crossed by a narrow bridge. It was the former stronghold of the
McDonnells, the Lords of the isles. The castle has a visitor centre and guided tours are available.
Part of the kitchen fell into the sea in 1639 during a dinner killing many of the kitchen staff.
Bushmills Distillery
The Old Bushmills Distillery is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. It was granted its licence to distill whiskey in 1608 and its tours are a major tourist attraction.
Golf
Castlerock Golf Club has an excellent 18 hole Championship Standard Course. The Championship Mussenden Course is a par 73
with five par-5’s, four par-3’s, and nine par-4’s. Castlerock Golf Course
Walking
There are many excellent local walks. The Coffee Shop is within easy walking distance of the Black Glen with paths
continuing to Mussenden Temple and Downhill Forest. In the other direction you can stroll along Castlerock Beach to the
mouth of the River Bann.
Many other excellent walks are close at hand. Guide to walks in the vicinity of Crusoes
Fishing
The waters in the area are rich in fish are ideal for sea angling, whether by boat or rock or beach fishing. Boats are available for hire from Portrush, Portballintrae and Portstewart Harbours, all within a short drive.
Coarse angling and game fishing are also popular locally. Telephone Coleraine Tourist Information Centre on (028) 7034 4723 for details.
Click for details
Horse Riding
Hill Farm Riding Centre at Altikeeragh Road , Castlerock offers trekking and basic instruction in riding and/or jumping. There are a further 3 other stables in the immediate locality.
Gliding
The headquarters of the Ulster Gliding Club is at nearby Bellarena. Ulster Gliding Club
Surfing
Surfing takes place East off Castlerock beach and further along the coastline at Portrush (West Strand, East Strand and White Rocks), Portstewart (The Strand)
and Portballintrae Bay to the East of Portballintrae.
Bird-Watching
The nearby Barmouth is a local nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary, and attracts large numbers of migrant and wintering waterfowl and waders. A National Trust bird hide provides excellent views and is accessible for wheelchair users.
N. I. Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament, one of Europe’s premier soccer
events, regularly attracting big national teams from five Continents e.g. Brazil, Poland and USA.
as well as premiership squads such as Manchester United, Rangers, Newcastle United and Everton.
Many important names in international soccer have taken part in the milk cup, players such as
David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Wayne Rooney who played for Everton
in the 2000 Milk Cup.
North West 200 Motorcycle Race
This is the largest outdoor sporting attraction in Ireland, regularly achieving crowds of over
100,000 people to the North Coast area. For biking fans, the North West 200 attracts some of
sport’s most famous names including Michael Rutter, John McGuinness, Steve Plater,
Maria Costello and local biking heroes Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald.
Benone Tourist Complex
on the A2 Coast Road approx. 5 miles from Castlerock, the complex includes
a putting green, bowling green, tennis courts, 2 outdoor heated splash pools (Jul/Aug),
a children's adventure play area, a 9 hole golf course and golf practice range. Benone Beach is a multiple recipient of the European
Blue Flag and Seaside Award.
Coleraine Leisure Centre, 5 miles from Castlerock village,
is open 7 days a week. Its superb Superpools Complex has a traditional
25 metre pool for adults and older children to enjoy. Parents with younger children are catered
for in the Minor Pool where added fun is provided by a mini Walrus slide and two air bubble pads
which create a water volcano effect. The Leisure Centre offers badminton, squash, table tennis,
indoor soccer etc.
Causeway Coast Cottage
Enjoy a relaxing stay in this listed building in a superb location, situated beside the National Trust Downhill Estate,
a short distance from the beach and Castlerock Championship Golf Course. To the front of the cottage are views of
Castlerock beach with Portstewart and Portrush in the distance. At the back is a garden overlooking fields and some of the
features of the Downhill estate.
The cottage has 3 bedrooms, a living room with wood-burning stove and a kitchen/ dining are well-equipped with modern
appliances.
Ballyhenry House
is an attractive award winning farmhouse on a three hundred and fifty acre farm situated in the lovely
River Roe Valley. The farm is surrounded by the Donegal Hills and Sperrin Mountains. Within five miles you'll find
sandy blue flag beaches. Many activities are within easy reach, including Horse riding, fishing, golf, and farm walks.
Jason Bell Photography
Jason Bell is based near Limavady in Northern Ireland. He works on commercial, fine art and wedding shoots and also offers
portrait sessions and digital editing and enhancement services. Jason's work has been exhibited in Crusoes Coffee Shop.