Human settlement in Northern Ireland
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Christmas came early to Portstewart when tenx9 arrived at Flowerfield. Here are four stories from that evening: Kate Murphy discovers the truth of Xmas in Africa; Gloria O'Connor is pushed to her festive limits; David McCullough introduces the wonderful Jennifer; Maria McCloskey is on a mission to find Henry. Paul is your host. Tenx9 is a live storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their own life on a particular theme. It began in Belfast in 2011 in the Black Box, started by Paul Doran & Pádraig Ó Tuama. You'll find all the upcoming dates at tenx9.com/events, our guidelines at tenx9.com/guidelines & you can submit your stories at tenx9.com/submissions.
Who doesn't love a great roadie? Self-drive adventures rank highly in my pantheon of golden travel experiences and Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast touring route is a show-stopper. Bookended by Derry~Londonderry and Belfast Lough, this sublime 185km drive threads together a stirring mosaic of fishing villages, secluded beaches, wondrous rock formations, rugged coastlines, crumbling castles, storied history and mouth-watering scenery. Pointing the car northeast from Derry~Londonderry, I began tracing the nooks and crannies of Northern Ireland's theatrical coastline by stopping off at Mussenden Temple. Dramatically perched on a cliff lording over Downhill Beach, this flamboyant folly was constructed in 1785 - inspired by the Temple of Vesta, near Rome. This circular stone temple served as a library and retreat for the eccentric Earl of Bristol who was also the Bishop of Derry (Earl Bishop), along with enormous views over the Atlantic Ocean. The setting is lip-smacking, wrapped in glorious estate gardens which you can explore on the cliff-edge walk, along with the ruins of the Earl Bishop's mansion, Downhill House. Fancy a beach layover? The neighbouring seaside resort towns of Portstewart and Portrush are blessed with sprawling blonde-sand beaches, backed my muscular limestone cliffs. Portrush is the bigger, brasher resort with an abundance of souvenir shops and amusement arcades like Curry's Fun Park. There's a faded glory feel to this seaside spot, exuding a retro appeal, in a similar vein to Blackpool or Bournemouth. But it's those drop-dead-gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters that really steal the show. Liberally strung along the Causeway Coast, strategically located look-out points cater to roadtrippers eager to get snap-happy and drink in the panoramic views. Few spots command greater affection than the Dunluce Castle look-out. It's a riveting perch to dreamily gaze across the crumbling castle ruins, clinging to the cliff, high above the churning ocean on a wind-walloped basalt outcrop. This medieval stronghold of the MacDonnell clan featured regularly on Game of Thrones. The MacDonnell Clan of Antrim still technically own it, even though the castle fell into disrepair 300 years ago. You can access it via the bridge which connects it to the mainland. Like many Irish castles, Dunluce has a fine bit of legend attached to it. It's said that on a stormy night back in 1639, part of the castle's kitchen fell into the icy water below. Apparently, only the kitchen boy survived, as he managed to tuck himself away in a safe corner of the room. If set-jetting is your bag, there's a host of fantastical shooting locations for Thrones fans to scout out in Northern Ireland, around the Causeway Coast. Just inland in Ballymoney, I jaunted to The Dark Hedges. Falling victim to over-tourism, stringent traffic and parking restrictions are now in place. Go early in the morning to dodge the hordes. Nor did I see The Dark Hedges. Photo / Mike Yardley The legendary ghost, the Grey Lady, a spectral figure said to drift silently between the ancient beech trees. This iconic avenue of gnarly, intertwined beech trees was planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family to create a grand entrance to their estate, Gracehill House. It's an ethereal landscape which of course became globally famed after appearing as Kingsroad on Game of Thrones. Sadly, over a dozen of these trees have been lost in recent storms and a heritage trust has been formed to try and keep the remaining 80 trees alive, given they are reaching the end of their natural lives. Heading back to the ocean, the Causeway Coast earns its name from a primordial geological marvel that may well prove to be your road-tripping highlight. Yes, the Giant's Causeway. Forged 60 million years ago when molten lava cooled quickly in the ocean water and contracted into crystallised basalt pillars, it is a head-spinning volcanic formation. The spectacle is compelling, a procession of 40,000 basalt hexagonal blocks and columns, reaching out into the ocean, like primal pistons thrusting out of the earth. You can take your chances and hop-scotch or clamber your way across these inter-locking formations, as crashing waves thunder in. The spectacle is best enjoyed at low-tide, revealing more and more of these basalt columns. Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Photo / Mike Yardley I enjoyed a night in the charismatic village of Bushmills, just minutes from the Giant's Causeway. Sip on a dram from the world's oldest licensed distillery. Old Bushmills Distillery started manufacturing after a grant from King James 1 in 1608. Over 400 years later, they're still making single-malt whiskey here, using Irish barley and the unique water from their own stream too, spilling out of the River Bush which flows over basalt rock. Jamesons is the No.1 selling Irish whiskey. Like Jamesons, Bushmills is triple-distilled for smoothness, but distinctly individual in character. If you prefer gentle vanilla sweetness with subtle fruitiness, reach for Jameson. If malty richness with honey and spice appeals more, Bushmills will hit the sweet spot. Take a distillery tour to fully revel in the magic. Just around the corner, enjoy a night at the Bushmills Inn Hotel. Sharing the same pedigree as the distillery, the oldest part of the Inn, which is now home to the restaurant, was the original coach house and stables, circa 1608. Blending historic character with modern luxury, this award-winning hotel, backed by the River Burn, is an evocative place to rest and savour the legendary drama and beauty of the Causeway Coast. Space and luxury are the hallmark of the 41 guest rooms and suites, individually designed with stylish, traditional furnishings. After enjoying a dram by the cracking peat fire, tuck into some seriously good gourmet dining, steeped in local produce like treacle-cured salmon and seabass fillets with seared scallops. After a great night's sleep and a hearty full Irish breakfast, I headed back on the Causeway route, passing through picturesque Ballintoy Harbour (another Thrones filming site) to reach the remarkable Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Suspended and swaying 30 metres above the roiling Atlantic, this catch-your-breath rope bridge is cared for by the National Trust. Clinging to the cliffs off the mainland and the outcrop Carrick Island, this gnarly rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen over 250 years ago. Crossing the bridge is a thrilling experience with sublime views across to Rathlin Island and the Scottish Islands, along with encountering the original salmon fishery. Blow out the cobwebs and sway with the bracing wind. Fishermen first constructed a single handrail rope bridge to transport boxes of their prized salmon, caught off the island. There would be have been tens of thousands of crossings, over time. Ever since its construction in 1755, not a single report of anyone losing their from slipping off the bridge has been recorded. I didn't want to blot that copybook. As I tentatively crossed over, my guide thoughtfully informed me that the current model can withstand the weight of a double-decker bus. After reflecting on the gluttonous size of my full Irish breakfast, that was quite reassuring. I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the historic fisherman's cottage, where they would store their nets and take shelter while awaiting their catch of migrating salmon. It's a magnificent, elemental nugget of coastal pride and seafaring heritage. Carnlough Harbour. Photo / Mike Yardley For a complete of scenery, I headed south to take in the Glens of Antrim that jut in from the coast like verdant wonderlands for outdoorsy adventures. These nine dramatic, forest-filled valleys in County Antrim, spill forth with folklore, spectacular hiking trails, bucolic splendour and truly charming villages like Glenariff. If you're after a scenic medley of deep valleys, rolling hills, lush forests and thundering waterfalls, you'll be in seventh heaven. Don't rush the Glens, they're best savoured at an easy, meditative and relaxed pace. For one final night of Causeway magic, before driving back to Belfast and onto Dublin, I luxuriated in the picturesque seaside village of Carnlough. Located at the foothills of Glencoy – one of the nine Glens of Antrim, edged by the shores of Carnlough Bay, this sheltered and compact harbour is the focal point of Carnlough village. Carnlough Harbour is another Thrones location to add to you tick-list. Fans will recognise the stony staircase leading down to the sea, filmed as part of the Free City of Braavos Canal. With its storybook good looks, this sweetheart stone harbour was first constructed in 1854 by the Marchioness of Londonderry (Winston Churchill's great grandmother), to help develop the limestone export trade. It's also home to the Harbourview Hotel. Formerly known as the Londonderry Arms, this gorgeous main street institution, beckoning like a country house hotel, has been refreshed into Ireland's first destination whiskey hotel. The Harbourview's focus is on Irish spirits, rare tastings, and events, blending its rich 1848 history with modern coastal luxury on the scenic Causeway Coast. I delved into the hotel's Whiskey Chamber, brimming with over 200 Irish whiskeys, where sublime tastings, distillery dinners, and whiskey-themed events take place, led by co-owner and master distiller Darryl McNally. Darryl and his fellow hotel owners also own Outwalker and Limavady Whiskey. Great drops! Old Bushmills Distillery. Photo / Mike Yardley Retaining stunning features including open fires and original terrazzo flooring, the new hotel features a newly refurbished bar, lounge and restaurant, offering the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern Irish hospitality. Each of the 35 elegantly appointed bedrooms have been completely redecorated and revamped, blending contemporary luxury with timeless style, and where the emphasis centred squarely on comfort. Hearty hospitality and a homely atmosphere is just the start of the Harbourview's seduction. A fitting place to raise a celebratory glass to the conveyer belt of treasures, underpinning the siren-like pull of the Causeway Coast. Fill your heart with Ireland in the enchanting Emerald Isle. For more touring insights and inspiration, head to the official website www.ireland.com I flew to Dublin with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World's Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations, including daily flights to Dublin. I flew in Economy and you'll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system. For best fares and seats to suit, www.qatarairways.com Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB's resident traveller and talks travel every week on Saturday mornings with Jack Tame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guests this week aren't afraid of a challenge - whether it's overcoming injuries to succeed, taking a leap of faith at a new opportunity or boldly stepping out of retirement and back onto the pitch.We have a great, in-depth chat with former Linfield star Paul Smyth ten years on from his Irish League debut. He chats about his favourite memories from the past decade, gives us an insight into his time since returning to QPR and shares his thoughts on Northern Ireland's trip to Italy in March.Davy McDaid explains why he jumped at the chance to become John Gregg's assistant manager at Portstewart, the emotions before and after his final Glenavon game and the struggles they have faced in recent times.Plus Ross Redman on why he decided to come out of retirement, how the Annagh Utd move complements his coaching journey and we take a trip down memory lane from some standout moments from his career.
Move over Rory McIlroy, there's a new slam winner in town! Caolan Rafferty recently etched his name into Irish golfing history as the first amateur to conquer all four provincial championships, completing the coveted 'Provincial Slam' with a dramatic North of Ireland win at Portstewart in September. And while the Career Grand Slam winners' club has six members – Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and now McIlroy – the Irish amateur provincial slam is an exclusive club with only one name on the list: Caolan Rafferty. Ronan sat down with Caolan to look back at his historical year.
Harold Paisley (1924-2015) preaches on the most well known verse in the Bible, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Recorded in Portstewart, Northern Ireland) The post Harold Paisley Preaches on John 3:16 (16 min) first appeared on Gospel Hall Audio.
Season 9 Episode 35 - 5 Significant Hymns - Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart.
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Season 8 Episode 120- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
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Season 8 Episode 117- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
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Season 8 Episode 108- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
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Season 8 Episode 112- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 107- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 106- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
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Season 8 Episode 103- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 102- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 101- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 100- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 98- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
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Season 8 Episode 95- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Season 8 Episode 93- Daily Devotional Podcast from Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart. www.BurnsidePCI.co.uk
Matt Adams is in Ireland and Northern Ireland with a few dozen of the best fans in the world to play the best links golf courses in the world. We'll share some of the beauty of the Emerald Isle with you, featuring places like Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Royal County Down, and more!
Step into Christmas with three festive true stories told at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart on 6 Dec 2024: Fionnuala McNicholl breaks an ankle in the snow; Paul Hutchinson hunts a Christmas tree in the wild; Kate Murphy has some unusual guests for dinner. Paul is your host. Tenx9 is a live storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their own life on a particular theme. It began in Belfast in 2011 in the Black Box, started by Paul Doran & Pádraig Ó Tuama. You'll find all the upcoming dates at tenx9.com/events, our guidelines at tenx9.com/guidelines & you can submit your stories at tenx9.com/submissions.
After a bit of a break, Dyed Green is back with a conversation with Paula McIntyre, a chef, writer, and broadcaster and the director of Slow Food Northern Ireland, based in Portstewart in County Derry. Paula's passion for cooking began at the age of 8, when she visited an Italian deli in Edinburgh, where she had a formative experience with parmesan cheese and Parma ham. As luck would have it, Kate met Paula at a market in Rome while crying and eating pizza. Chef Paula McIntyre thinks chefs waste too much time trying to make something fancy that would taste better if it were more simply prepared: “You're not going to end up with anything in three hours that you wouldn't have ended up with in two minutes.” On today's episode, we discuss Paula's enduring love affair with turnip tops and Red Cow parmesan, attending culinary school in the United States, and following the food journey of Ulster Scots immigrants along the Appalachian trail. Dyed Green is a project of Bog & Thunder, whose mission is to highlight the best of Irish food and culture, through food tours, events, and media. Find out more at www.bogandthunder.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katemccabe.substack.com
Focus on winter fuel payments as pensioners remain in the dark over what Stormont will do. Stephen also looks at this weeks Skinny Dipping event in Portstewart, will he take part!?
In the third episode of our new series, the Top100 Golf Courses team visit Portstewart Golf Club. James Henderson chats with General Manager, David MacLaren.Make sure to watch video reviews of each course on our YouTube channel, and keep an eye out for the rest of our Northern Irish Golf Road Trip series! Coming soon! Follow us on socials:YouTube: @top100golfcourses5On Instagram: @officialtop100On Twitter: @top100golfVisit Our Website for all of your golf course research:www.top100golfcourses.com
We talk to Lee Williamson, former post master of Portstewart.
Three stories told at three events in 2023: Bevin O'Donnell tells Belfast's Black Box how she began a lifelong journey; Norman Meharry tells Bangor courthouse how he literally fell for Capri; Gloria O'Connor tells Portstewart about her namesake, Cousin Glo. Paul is your host. Tenx9 is a live storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their own life on a particular theme. It began in Belfast in 2011 in the Black Box, started by Pádraig Ó Tuama & Paul Doran. You'll find all the upcoming dates at tenx9.com/events, our guidelines at tenx9.com/guidelines & you can submit your stories at tenx9.com/submissions.
The Fried Egg Golf four in Northern Ireland discuss their experience playing Portstewart, which possesses perhaps the most extreme dunes land you will find with a golf course attached to it. They offer some of their favorite holes and memories of the land on the front nine, which has a fascinating and charming backstory to it. It is not the work of some golden age great or local from 100 years ago, but rather a front nine, sometimes labeled among the best in golf, bought in the late 80's and then designed by a local teacher in town. It was an experience that Cameron called “restorative” and one that should be seen on a trip to Northern Ireland.
Castlerock might be considered a “throw-in” to a trip up to the Causeway Coast — a way to spend a day that's not at Royal Portrush or Portstewart. As Andy articulates at the top of this episode, it was a course and experience that pleasantly captured him and the kind of unexpected day that really helps redeem these treks to golf-rich areas. Cameron and Brendan also join to discuss some of their favorite features and holes from a true links setting and fabulous day in the sun. There are a few points about where they think it could improve or may have gone too far, but it's a course where their experience had them concluding it is one that should visited on any trip to this part of the world.
In this episode of Eggsplorations, Fried Egg Golf brings in two guests they met out and about in Portstewart and Portrush. The first is Dr. Joe McGoldrick, who they met in the Harbor Bar on their first night in town and would run into again at the very same spot late the next night. Dr. Joe is a bit of a legend who has been all around the world golfing and surfing, but always comes back to Portrush to get right. He's also an incredible storyteller and one-liner wordsmith who charmed us over multiple days in Portrush. The second guest is Dave Lynas, who we ran into our first morning in Portstewart at one of the best coffee shops you'll encounter anywhere in the world, Lost & Found. Dave just so happens to be the owner and operator of said coffee shop, which was impeccably designed and looks out over the sea right on the cliffs. Dave grew up in Portstewart and could be a so-called “pioneer” in the surfing culture before it got big in the last 15 years or so. His discusses his roots in the Causeway Coast area and what drew him back with his family after a lengthy stint in Dublin. Both guests bring a local flavor from each town, sometimes framed as “rivals” but two gems where you could spend several weeks. They should give you a sense of the people, hospitality, and culture we've encountered.
In this episode of a Fire Drill from the Fire Pit Collective, Matt Ginella joins Alan Shipnuck to break down his latest travels to Dublin and Belfast. They both dive into the best of what's available on and off the course. You'll hear from several protagonists who offered their expertise throughout the trip. From a rainbow and whiskey at Royal County Down, the architect of the front-9 of Portstewart, Ardglass with the 11-time club champ and a brief history of St. Patrick, Ginella and Shipnuck also share their Top 10 courses on the island of Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.