As I stepped out of the bus, the howling wind and driving rain couldn't dampen my spirits. Instead, it invigorated me to take a refreshing dip in the icy grey sea. The water felt surprisingly warm on my skin, but the freezing wind did its job - every nerve was singing and I felt euphoric.
I started my journey at Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland's only 17th-century hotel, where I indulged in a 'Sea Dips and Hot Sips' package that included dry robes, hot-water bottles, and flasks. The castle offered an excellent retreat from the stormy weather outside. Its oldest part was built in 1625 with Scottish baronial-style turrets and thick stone walls.
A short hike up to Sallagh Braes revealed breathtaking views of Antrim's wooded glens and Scotland across the sea. I strolled along a windswept path, spotting rare mosses growing amidst ancient standing stones. The dramatic cliffs had appeared in Game of Thrones and The Northman - a testament to their wild and rugged beauty.
My next stop was Glenarm Castle, an ancestral seat of the earls of Antrim, where I took part in a book-ahead tour led by butler George Lynn. We explored the walled garden, which would reopen in spring with a tulip festival. The village itself offered picturesque views of red sandstone and ferny riverside woods.
After Glenarm, I headed to Ballycarry station before taking the train to Portrush, where I spotted herons from the window as we passed by Ballycarry station. A 20-minute walk led me to the exhilarating Gobbins cliff path, due to reopen in 2026 as a newly upgraded circular route.
I spent my days exploring Northern Ireland's stunning coastline and learning about its rich history and culture. I walked along Portrush Strand, catching a late lilac sunrise over Portrush harbour, where flocks of turnstones swirled and gannets plunged into the waves. My final destination was Louise McLean's whitewashed cottage in Portstewart, where she showed me her unique woven baskets inspired by the coast.
As I left Northern Ireland, my head was full of wild weather and warm welcomes - a testament to the country's rugged beauty and its ability to put people at ease with its charming hospitality.
I started my journey at Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland's only 17th-century hotel, where I indulged in a 'Sea Dips and Hot Sips' package that included dry robes, hot-water bottles, and flasks. The castle offered an excellent retreat from the stormy weather outside. Its oldest part was built in 1625 with Scottish baronial-style turrets and thick stone walls.
A short hike up to Sallagh Braes revealed breathtaking views of Antrim's wooded glens and Scotland across the sea. I strolled along a windswept path, spotting rare mosses growing amidst ancient standing stones. The dramatic cliffs had appeared in Game of Thrones and The Northman - a testament to their wild and rugged beauty.
My next stop was Glenarm Castle, an ancestral seat of the earls of Antrim, where I took part in a book-ahead tour led by butler George Lynn. We explored the walled garden, which would reopen in spring with a tulip festival. The village itself offered picturesque views of red sandstone and ferny riverside woods.
After Glenarm, I headed to Ballycarry station before taking the train to Portrush, where I spotted herons from the window as we passed by Ballycarry station. A 20-minute walk led me to the exhilarating Gobbins cliff path, due to reopen in 2026 as a newly upgraded circular route.
I spent my days exploring Northern Ireland's stunning coastline and learning about its rich history and culture. I walked along Portrush Strand, catching a late lilac sunrise over Portrush harbour, where flocks of turnstones swirled and gannets plunged into the waves. My final destination was Louise McLean's whitewashed cottage in Portstewart, where she showed me her unique woven baskets inspired by the coast.
As I left Northern Ireland, my head was full of wild weather and warm welcomes - a testament to the country's rugged beauty and its ability to put people at ease with its charming hospitality.
, you know? And the 'Sea Dips and Hot Sips' package sounds nice, but like, who really needs dry robes and hot-water bottles when there's like, a million other places to get those things? 
I mean, I love ancient history and all, but sometimes I feel like it's just too much. The cliffs in Game of Thrones were awesome tho! 
. And what's up with all these walled gardens and stuff? Can't they just leave some areas of the castle alone? 
. And turning it into a circular route in 2026 is just too early? Like, can't they wait a bit? 
. But like, Portstewart cottage with woven baskets inspired by the coast? That's just too much creativity for me 
.
I'm seriously adding Northern Ireland to my bucket list now, especially with that newly upgraded Gobbins cliff path reopening soon. Maybe one day I'll be able to experience it all for myself... 
. The whole trip sounds like a touristy nightmare 
. Who wants to pay for some overpriced 'Sea Dips and Hot Sips' package when you can just stay indoors with a hot cuppa 
️? And those standing stones are probably crawling with moss and lichen, not rare at all 
. The Game of Thrones connection is just going to draw in too many tourists and ruin the whole experience 
. I mean, who needs that much drama on their vacation? 
The way they did that book-ahead tour at Glenarm Castle sounds so cool! I heard it's still pretty exclusive, only available to like, 10-15 people per day 
George Lynn must be super nice if he's handling a tour group that small 
. And omg, the Gobbins cliff path is literally just around the corner from Portrush station - I'm obsessed with how easy it was for you to get there 
What I love most about Northern Ireland is how much history and natural beauty are packed into this tiny island - it's like they're hiding all these gems 
. Anyway, if I had a bucket list of things to see in NI, that would be pretty much the top three 
but seriously, northern ireland's got so much beauty & history to offer. i'm def adding it to my bucket list ASAP 
! And Glenarm Castle sounds like a must-visit, the walled garden with tulip festival is giving me major spring vibes 
.
. I'm definitely adding this to my bucket list now!
but omg those views of Antrim's wooded glens and Scotland across the sea are giving me major wanderlust 
i need to look into planning a trip there ASAP 
and turnstones are so cool 
can't wait to visit northern ireland one day and experience that warm welcome for myself 
That castle is straight out of a fantasy novel with its Scottish baronial-style turrets and thick stone walls. And the views from Sallagh Braes are, like, whoa 
... Northern Ireland is def one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! 
️
i'm dying over here the pics of ballygally castle & sallagh braes are giving me LIFE 
And the views from Sallagh Braes are straight out of Game of Thrones - insane! 
. I also love how you spotted herons on the train and got to walk along Portrush Strand during sunrise... like, what's not to love about Northern Ireland? 
. Can't wait for my next adventure! 
I'm not saying it can't be beautiful or anything, but come on... we need to find ways to preserve our wild spaces for future generations, you know? 
and explore the stunning coastline with breathtaking views of antrim's wooded glens and scotland across the sea? 
the history and culture of northern ireland seem so fascinating too, from ballygally castle to glenarm castle, i'm totally drooling over those old standing stones and walled gardens 
, but that's just part of the charm, right? And the people... wow! So friendly and welcoming, like they're always happy to see you 
.
. And have you seen the prices of everything there? It's like they're trying to fleece tourists or something 
. But overall, I'd def go back and explore more of this stunning country. Northern Ireland is seriously underrated, imo 
the game of thrones connection is so cool too! did they have any royal family members during the time of ballygally castle? and what's with all the herons in portrush 
. The 'Sea Dips and Hot Sips' package at Ballygally Castle sounds like the ultimate cozy retreat on a stormy day 
️. And can we talk about the scenic views? From the dramatic cliffs of Game of Thrones fame to the picturesque villages, it's clear that Northern Ireland is a nature lover's paradise