If you're looking to discover the beauty of Northern Ireland's coast, there is no better way than to travel Antrim Coast Road.
Part of the larger A2 Road, Antrim Coast Road isn't very trafficked but is considered one of Ireland's most scenic drives, running along 40 kilometres of gorgeous coast. Starting near Larne the road travels through picturesque towns like Glenarm and Waterfoot before ending near the Red Arch, which is close to Cushendall. The drive along the Antrim Coast Road isn't just beautiful, it is also close to many of Northern Ireland's biggest tourist draws.
Described as the most scenic route in the British Isles the Antrim coast Road closely follows the coast with the sea on the side and for the most part towering cliffs on the other intersected with glens, waterfalls and small villages.
Sandy beaches and little harbours abound. Colonies of birds line the cliffs. To geologists and archaeologists this is a rich hunting ground along its 23 miles examples can be found of nearly every kind of rock formation, glacial deposits, raised beaches flints etc.
The Antrim Coast Road was built in the 1830s, and actually follows the majority of the coastline of Northern Ireland beginning in the city of Newry, County Down and heading north-east through the fishing towns of Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Kilkeel. Continuing via Ardglass to Strangford, it weaves it way through Portavogie, Ballyhalbert, Millisle and Donaghadee to Bangor, County Down.
After a suburban stretch through Jordanstown, Carrickfergus and Whitehead, it enters open countryside en route to the town of Larne, which really is the beginning of the most notable section of the road. This drive has been compared to Australia's Great Ocean Road and Big Sur in California. It is regarded as one of Ireland's most scenic drives. The road here is not a primary route and is narrow but lightly used. This section of the road closely follows the coast through the villages of Ballygalley, Glenarm, Carnlough, Waterfoot and Cushendall before leaving the coast,and working its way through the Glens of Antrim after which it eases closer to the ocean again at Ballycastle.
Mostly a single carriageway, the road actually follows the majority of the coastline of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It is connected in several places to other major roads.
In 2006, the Antrim Coast Road came fifth in a poll of 5,000 Britons by Australian company Jacob's Creek to find the most wonderful views in the world.
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