castle
Dunluce Castle
Dramatic ruined medieval castle perched on the edge of a basalt cliff with a cave underneath, partly inspired Castle Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.
5 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland
Portrush
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Portrush
Portrush works well as a base: 10 minutes from Portstewart, 5km from Dunluce Castle.
Portrush is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with about 6,700 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Portstewart, about 4 km away.
Portrush (from Irish Port Rois, meaning 'port of the promontory') is a small seaside resort town on the north coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It neighbours the resort of Portstewart in County Londonderry. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants andRead more
bars, is built on a 1 mile (1.6 km)–long peninsula, Ramore Head. It had a population of 6,150 at the 2021 census.
The town is well known for its three sandy beaches, the West Strand, East Strand and White Rocks, as well as the Royal Portrush Golf Club, the only golf club outside Great Britain which has hosted The Open Championship – in 1951, 2019, and 2025.
Where to Stay in Portrush
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Portrush?
Within an hour or so of Portrush: Dunluce Castle (5 km), Harry's Shack (6 km), Bushmills Distillery (8 km), Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience (9 km).
Are there any good drives near Portrush?
The nearest famous roads are Causeway Coastal Route, The Dark Hedges and Torr Head Coast Road.
Where is Portrush?
Portrush is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Portstewart.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 6,684
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 55.1959, -6.6493
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Portrush
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
restaurant
Harry's Shack
Driftwood-styled National Trust beach hut turned serious seafood restaurant on the sand of Portstewart Strand, plating fish from local boats yards from the surf. Open year-round; you can park on the beach itself.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Bushmills Distillery
The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, producing Irish whiskey since 1608 on the Antrim coast near the Giant's Causeway.
8 km · about 15 min drive
museum
Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience
Award-winning visitor centre interpreting the geology and legends of the Giant's Causeway through immersive exhibitions.
9 km · about 15 min drive
coastal drive
Causeway Coastal Route
Northern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.
10 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Giant's Causeway
Extraordinary formation of roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption.
10 km · about 20 min drive
film location
Downhill Strand (Dragonstone beach)
The seven-mile beach below Mussenden Temple is where Melisandre burns the statues of the Seven at Dragonstone.
10 km · about 20 min drive
photogenic
Mussenden Temple
Domed 1785 rotunda perched on a 36m cliff edge above the seven-mile strand of Downhill, built by the eccentric Earl-Bishop as a library. Part of the Downhill Demesne ruins; trains pass through the cliff directly beneath it.
11 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Portrush
- Right hereCauseway Coastal RouteNorthern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.
- Right hereGortmore Viewpoint (Manannán Mac Lir)A viewpoint on Binevenagh above the Bishop's Road with a sculpture of the sea god Manannán Mac Lir looking out to Donegal.
- 18 kmThe Dark HedgesAn eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
- 19 kmBinevenaghA basalt escarpment above Limavady with a small lake on top, used as the Dothraki grasslands in Game of Thrones.
- 26 kmRathlin West Light Seabird CentreAn upside-down lighthouse on Rathlin Island where you look down onto stacks packed with puffins, razorbills and guillemots.
- 32 kmFair HeadA 190m dolerite cliff above Ballycastle, one of Europe's great traditional climbing crags, with views to Scotland.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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