Local Area - RosevaleRosevale

Rosevale is located in Portstewart, a beautiful seaside resort on the North Coast. Portstewart has a long crescent shaped seafront promenade, sheltered by rocky headlands. The Dominican Convent & College, sits on the edge of a cliff and dominates the western end of the promenade, and on the eastern end you have Portstewart’s quaint small harbour. In between are some fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, Morelli’s famous ice cream parlour and various small boutiques/curiousity shops. Beneath the Convent is a scenic cliff path which stretches along the coast from the promenade to Portstewart strand (which is protected by the National Trust). From here it is a popular walk to the Barmouth, where the River Bann flows out into the Atlantic Ocean. Of course the walk also offers some stunning panoramic views across the strand to Downhill, Mussenden Temple, with Donegal in the background.

Within a short drive from Rosevale, you can explore the attractions of the North Coast, including the famous Giant’s Causeway, sample a “wee dram” at the Bushmills Distillery, go across the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, visit Dunluce Castle or Ballycastle, to list a few.

For the golfers there are many links courses within the surrounding area, including Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle, Bushfoot and Castlerock. All these courses are open to non-members. For the surfing enthusiasts, Rosevale is close to Northern Ireland’s best surfing beaches, Runkerry strand is located a short drive from your door.

: Ballintoy is a small village located about one kilometre from Ballintoy Harbour, a small fishing harbour located at the end of a very small, narrow, steep road down Knocksaughey hill which passes by the entrance to Larrybane and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The remains of Dunseverick Castle are nearby and the village is only a short drive from the Giant's Causeway.

: Ballintoy is a small village located about one kilometre from Ballintoy Harbour, a small fishing harbour located at the end of a very small, narrow, steep road down Knocksaughey hill which passes by the entrance to Larrybane and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The remains of Dunseverick Castle are nearby and the village is only a short drive from the Giant's Causeway.

: Bushmills Train travelling between Bushmills and the Giants Causeway

: The Old Bushmills Distillery is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery having received its licence to distil in 1608. In 1608 Sir Thomas Phillips was granted a licence to distil whiskey by James 1 of England, however, mentions of distilling traditions in the surrounding environs date back to 1276. Tours of the distillery are available.

: The Old Bushmills Distillery is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery having received its licence to distil in 1608. In 1608 Sir Thomas Phillips was granted a licence to distil whiskey by James 1 of England, however, mentions of distilling traditions in the surrounding environs date back to 1276. Tours of the distillery are available.

: A short coastal footpath leads to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. The geology, flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of special scientific interest. Fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills breed on the islands close to the rope bridge. Of course, Carrick-a-Rede also boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience. Traditionally fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!

: A short coastal footpath leads to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. The geology, flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of special scientific interest. Fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills breed on the islands close to the rope bridge. Of course, Carrick-a-Rede also boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience. Traditionally fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!

: The Giant's Causeway, renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries. It harbours a wealth of local and natural history. The formation of the Giant's Causeway was due to intense volcanic activity. Lava welling up through fissures in the chalk bed formed a "lava plateau". Three periods of volcanic activity gave rise to the Lower, Middle and Upper Basalts, and it's the Middle Basalt rock which forms the famous amphitheatres of hexagonal columns in the Causeway. Weathered formations have created circular structures round a core of basalt which are known locally as "giant's eyes". Some other formations with popular names are the Chimney Stacks, The Harp, The Organ and the Camel's Hump. Sea birds can be seen off the coast around the Causeway, with species such as fulmar, petrel, cormorant, shag, redshank guillemot and razorbill being frequently observed. Rare and unusual plant species including sea spleenwort, hare's foot trefoil, vernal squill, sea fescue and frog orchid can be found on the cliffs and nearby rock formations. Visitor facilities for The Giant's Causeway include a shop providing refreshments and souvenirs. Guided tours of the Causeway are available by arrangement for groups of more than 15 people, and there is access for visitors with disability. The area is suitable for picnics, cliff and country walks, and dogs are welcome on leads.

: Ballycastle Situated on the spectacular North Antrim coast, Ballycastle is a traditional friendly seaside town, which is an excellent base to explore such well known local attractions as the Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim and Rathlin.