Five epic drives in Northern Ireland

Since moving to Northern Ireland 13 years ago, travel writer Nicola Brady has roamed the length and breadth of the land to track down its most beautiful spots. Now, with St Patrick’s Day just visible in the rear-view mirror, she’s rounded up of some of the best drives this spectacular region has to offer…

Click on an image below to read the story

Causeway Coastal Route

This 154-mile route sneaks along the northern coast of Ireland, ticking off an impressive number of sights along the way. While you could knock out the whole thing in a day, you’ll want to allow a bit of time to call into spots such as the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a rickety knee-trembler that stands 100 feet over the sea. But even less celebrated parts of the route are dazzling, from the wave-bashed cliffs to the rocky outcrops hanging over the narrow, winding road.
Soundtrack: The Frames, Dance the Devil

Game of Thrones Loop

In Northern Ireland, you can’t swing a direwolf without hitting a Game of Thrones filming location. Start off at the tangle of beech trees known as the Dark Hedges, then head to Ballintoy Harbour, which doubled up as the Iron Islands. From there, it’s a scenic zip along the coast to the Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow demon. The good news? The drive is just as impressive for those who don’t know their Lannisters from their Starks.
Soundtrack: Villagers, Becoming a Jackal

Strangford Lough

For an area so small, the shores of Strangford Lough are blessed with a wealth of great places to eat. Hit the peaceful country roads around the lake and make the most of the scenic viewpoints along the way. Be sure to make a pitstop at Finnebrogue Woods for a juicy Dexter beefburger eaten fireside in a tipi. And don’t miss Overwood at Balloo, a gastropub in Killinchy that tops the wish list of every food lover in the land.
Soundtrack: Mark Geary, Spectre

Fermanagh Lakelands

The Fermanagh Lakelands are a dream to drive around, the romantic waters dotted with hundreds of islands and swaying rushes. Make your way along the Lough Shore Road from Enniskillen to Belleek, detouring to take in the seven-mile Lough Navar Forest Drive, with unbeatable views of Lough Erne and beyond from the top. From there, head out to the Boa Island Road, where you’ll be driving right over the water’s surface on a quiet, meandering route. Bliss.
Soundtrack: Loah, This Heart

Mourne Mountains

The region was CS Lewis’s inspiration for Narnia and, when you gaze out upon the Mourne Mountains you can clearly see why. Blanketed in heather and gorse, these peaks look best under a moody sky, when the clouds dip towards the summits and everything is shrouded in an ethereal mist. The Mourne Coastal Route leads you along the foothills beside the sea, where you can cut inland and join the High Mournes Scenic Loop.
Soundtrack: Lisa Hannigan, Sea Sew