NEARBYATTRACTIONS

We've put together a list of nearby attractions within The Gobbins area. We are confident that you, your family and friends will have a memorable time with us. Thank you for visiting and enjoy!

From the Gobbins team.

LARNE LOUGH

Sandwiched between the coast of County Antrim and Islandmagee, Larne Lough , as well as a sheltered anchorage is also a wetland of international significance, providing shelter, breeding sites and food, for a wide variety of bird species. The Lough is an Area of Special Scientific Interest and a RAMSAR site (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance). Larne Lough provides an ideal location for studying marine orientated wildlife.

Opening Times

Open All Year

Cost

Free

Address

Larne Lough, Larne, BT40

Contact Details

Larne Visitor Information Centre: Tel: 0300 124 5000 e: lticreception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Address: Larne Visitor Information Centre, Narrow Gauge Road, Larne BT40 1XB

KILCOAN GARDENS

The gardens are situated within the peninsula of Islandmagee, with beautiful views over Larne Lough and include a cottage garden, orchard, vegetable area and herb garden. The recently established cut flower field includes eight raised beds full of annuals and five large perennial beds all of which contain plants suitable for cut flower production. There are also several established perennial beds, a willow arch and a newly planted prairie border. Organically run, the gardens are full of a diverse range of wildlife including many different birds and insects, with several wildflower meadows and a small pond. The gardens are open 12pm-5pm on Wednesday to Sunday (April to September) for garden visits and they run courses and events throughout the year.

Opening Times

April- September Wednesday - Sundays

Cost

Visit www.kilcoangardens.com

Address

240 Middle Road, Islandmagee BT40 3TG

Contact Details

Cherry Townsend Tel: 07703 519 564 Website: www.kilcoangardens.com Email: cherry@kilcoangardens.com

THE RINKHA ICE CREAM PARLOUR

In 1921, Mr and Mrs. WJ Hawkins (Snr) owned a small general store in Islandmagee called The Gobbins Stores. It was here that the soon-to-be famous Rinkha home-made ice cream recipe was conceived. In those days wooden churns were used and turned by hand – and it was very hard work! WJ Snr was a progressive man and in 1935 he also decided to build a dancehall – an ambitious project in an area as sparsely populated as Islandmagee! Undeterred WJ Snr asked the local community to help name this new Islandmagee landmark and the choice was made when historian Dixon Donaldson suggested… ‘The Rinkha’ – an Irish interpretation meaning place of dance/place of mirth. Today the Rinkha remains a popular local, family-owned general shop, with ice cream parlour, café and toy store.

Opening Times

Spring/Summer Monday to Saturday 8am - 9pm (10pm from June) Sunday 9am - 9pm (10pm from June)

Autumn/Winter Monday to Saturday 8am - 8pm Sunday 9am - 8pm

Cost

N/A

Address

55 Middle Road, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim, BT40 3SW

Contact Details

Tel: +44 (0) 28 9335 3229 e:info@therinkha.com

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Booking is OPEN now

Welcome to The Gobbins….

The Gobbins Coastal Path has now reopened. Booking is now available until Sunday 3rd November 2019. We look forward to welcoming you.

Due to the popularity of the spectacular guided walk it is advisable that visitors book in advance. We would also like to remind visitors partaking in tours that suitable outdoor clothing and walking/hiking boots with thick tread and ankle support are essential.

Our visitor Centre is open daily from 9.30am to 6.30pm and the Café (view menu) is open daily from 9.30am until 4.00pm.

Please contact us on 028 9337 2318 or email info@thegobbinscliffpath.com if you would like further details.

A spectacular location where you can truly escape everyday life and experience nature at its most elemental. During your amazing 2.5 hour fully guided walking tour you may even taste the sea salt on your lips, feel the Irish Sea wind, marvel at tales of local smugglers, witness the native sea birds and keep your eyes open for some dolphins swimming off the rugged coastline. The Gobbins experience will take you along a narrow path hugging the dramatic cliff face; across spectacular bridges amid the crashing waves of the North Channel; traversing hidden Tunnels under the Irish Sea; up and down rugged staircases carved into the cliff face and into caves that were once home to smugglers and privateers.

The Gobbins visitor centre is the start of your adventure and where you will meet your guide for your adventure, please remember to bring along your booking confirmation. The centre hosts a fabulous interactive exhibition telling the history of The Gobbins Path, its flora and fauna, and the story of how the path was reborn. Guests with young children or with reduced mobility are welcome to browse our gift shop, enjoy a coffee in The Gobbins Cafe, or enjoy the outdoor children’s play and picnic area. You may also avail of the free car parking located at the Visitor Centre. We understand that The Gobbins Path may not be suitable for everyone and details are contained on our booking page.

The Gobbins Path was masterminded by the Irish railway engineer, Berkley Dean Wise as an incredible tourist attraction. The path originally opened in 1902 and was later abandoned in the 1960’s until an investment of over £7.5 million brought about its rebirth in 2015.

The Gobbins Experience

The Gobbins Path is an arduous trek that is often narrow and uneven, accessed by a very steep pathway. Due to the nature of the rugged coastal location suitable outdoor clothing and walking/hiking boots with thick tread and ankle support are essential. Without exception, all guests must wear a safety helmet whilst experiencing The Gobbins. To enjoy The Gobbins a good level of fitness is needed. You must be fit enough to climb 50 flights of stairs and walk a very steep 1 in 5 gradient.