Larne Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Alongside, in Larne harbour, at the head of a lough sheltered by the Islandmagee peninsula. Mid-sized ships berth without tendering. The town centre is a short walk from the quays.
The coast, almost always. The Antrim Coast Road starts at the edge of Larne and strings together bays and villages for kilometres: it is one of the finest coastal drives in Europe. The town centre takes an hour and is not the reason to go ashore.
The A2, built in the 19th century at the foot of the cliffs, running north along the sea and serving the nine Glens of Antrim. Basalt headlands, fields tumbling to the water, hamlets of whitewashed stone. On a clear day the Scottish coast is visible on the horizon.
A roughly 5-kilometre route clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee, about ten kilometres south of Larne. Walkways, suspension bridges and stairs cut into the rock take you right down to the waves. Helmets are compulsory, access is by guided tour only and a good level of fitness is required.
Yes, and early. Places go quickly, especially on cruise days. Be aware too that the route does not suit everyone: it demands reasonable fitness, and anyone prone to vertigo should skip it.
Carnfunnock Country Park, 5.5 kilometres north of town, with 191 hectares of woodland, gardens and paths above the sea. A maze, playgrounds and views over the North Channel make it ideal for families who want fresh air without a long drive.
Yes, about twenty minutes' drive south. It is a Norman fortress set at the water's edge, one of the best-preserved castles in Northern Ireland, and it combines well with a return along the coast.
Honestly, no, if you are looking for monuments. It is a working port with the ordinary bustle of a Northern Irish harbour town: shops, pubs and a waterfront where the Scottish ferries come and go. The interest of the call lies in what surrounds it.
Pound sterling and English. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom: the euro used in the Republic of Ireland is not legal tender here. Cards are accepted everywhere and cash machines are easy to find in the centre.
May to September. The Gobbins path runs at full capacity, the days are long and the Antrim Coast Road is at its best. The path does close occasionally for safety after severe weather, in any season.
