Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – The Lodge Coleraine & North Antrim Coastline
Portrush is one of the principal seaside resort towns on the north coast enjoying a mile long peninsula with numerous restaurants, bars and local shops There are many accommodation choices including camping, caravans, cottages, self catering apartments, family guesthouses and the highly impressive Lodge Hotel a 56 bedroom 3 star hotel, situated 5 minutes walk from the bustling shopping town of Coleraine
renowned for its unique mix of family run businesses and top high street names. There are over two hundred independently owned businesses within the town centre and over one hundred top high street names. Coleraine boasts many award winning stores such as Bishops Footwear and Ken Young Fashions. Department store shopping is offered by Moores and Dixons and don’t forget Waterside Superstore across the bridge. The Diamond Shopping Centre adds to the wealth of top high street names and has a top floor food
n Lodge Hotel Coleraine Bedrooms.
court with fabulous views of the river. There are also many select independent boutiques offering unique designer brands and products unique to Coleraine so check out New Row, Railway Road and Waterside areas as they are well worth a visit. For something totally unique, the Causeway Speciality Food & Craft Market operates within the town centre on the second Saturday of each month from 9am -2.30pm.The Lodge Hotel Coleraine is also an ideal location for those who want to explore the Causeway Coast. The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is situated between Ballycastle and Ballintoy and is one of the most famous things to do is to walk across this narrow swinging rope bridge hovering 80 feet above the sea. Constructed of rope and wooden planks this bridge is connected to a very small offshore island from the mainland and can only be accessed during the summer months as it is removed before winter comes. The nearby Old Bushmills Distillery is the World’s oldest licensed Whiskey Dis-
(074) 9131018 tillery. King James I granted the original License to distil ‘Aqua Vitae’ in 1608 and since then Bushmills have been making the finest Irish Malt Whiskey here for almost four hundred years. Founded in 1888, The Royal Portrush golf course is overlooked by the ruins of the 13th century Dunluce castle, making its setting and views nothing less than spectacular. The links layout of the two courses n Giant’s Causew ay Co Antrim. threads its way through giant dunes, along cliffs and into the valleys. Both courses feature magnificent turf, tricky over a deep gully to a green greens and narrow fairways, perched above a 100 ft drop. finished off with a good dol- A popular spot for families lop of high winds to make during summer is Barry’s. it a good challenge for the This is the largest amuseeven most seasoned golfers. ment park found in Ireland. The Dunluce course is the There are a variety of rides more demanding side and available both for those lookthe championship course ing for a thrill or others who of the two. Calamity corner, just want to relax. The Lodge the aptly named short 14th is Hotel Coleraine autumn probably the signature hole package continues for Octoon this course. 210 yards ber with special rates from long, it requires a long carry £55.00pps Sunday - Thurs-
www.keeshotel.ie
day or £65.00pps Friday & Saturday. The offer includes use of a spacious double or twin room, Ulster breakfast & four course dinner. www. thelodgehotel.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com