In The Footsteps Of Giants

The rugged coast of Northern Ireland is the stuff of legends. Sarah Kante takes on the surf and the stories to discover the North Antrim Coast

- Sarah Kante

GAME OF THRONES’ fans know it as the Iron Isles. The tourists who flock to the North Antrim Coast, located between Portrush and Ballycastle in Northern Ireland, come for its rugged and breathtaking beauty. On this stretch of coast, myths and history live side by side, and running out of things to do is near impossible: Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Old Bushmills Distillery, the Iron Isles’ filming locations...

However, when I make my way to the north of the country in October, none of the aforementioned attractions are on my mind. What pushes me to leave Belfast behind and take two buses to the coastal town of Portrush are the waves.

Located on a peninsula, Portrush boasts three Blue Flag beaches (West Strand, East Strand and Whiterocks Beach) and all the usual points of interest of a coastal town. You’ll find the largest amusement park in Northern Ireland (Barry’s Amusements), a harbour, Ramore Head and its cliff edges and trails, and the world-famous Dunluce Links Royal Portrush Championship Golf Course.

But what makes the North Antrim Coast so special is the promise of the consistent swells hitting its shores. Its uncrowded waves attract some international attention but remain relatively under the radar. A surfer’s paradise. This is the home of sixtime Irish national surfing champion Andrew Hill, after all.

I meet Andrew at his shop, Troggs, which was opened in 1984 and is the number one stop for all things watersport in Portrush. We talk surf, of course, but also travel, comparing notes on our favourite spots around the world.