Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
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
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-ARede Rope Bridge is situated Giant’s Causeway Co Antrim 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
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 court with fabulous views of the
■
■ Romanoff’s Restaurant at The Lodge Coleraine
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com 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 Distillery. 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 threads its way through giant dunes, along cliffs and into the valleys. Both courses feature magnificent turf, tricky greens and narrow fairways, finished off with a good dollop of high winds to make it a good challenge for the even most seasoned golfers. The Dunluce course is the more demanding side and the championship course of the
■ The Lodge Cole
raine Honeym
oon Suite
two. Calamity corner, the aptly named short 14th is probably the signature hole on this course. 210 yards long, it requires a long carry over a deep gully to a green perched above a 100 ft drop. A popular spot for families during summer is Barry’s. This is the largest amusement park found in Ireland. There are a variety of rides available both for those looking for a thrill or others who just want to relax. The Lodge Hotel Coleraine “Shoppers Stopover” package continues for June
with special rates from £55.00pps Sunday - Thursday 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