Moore Memorial Hall

Explorer Tom Ballywatt Presbyterian Church is sick of being asked if it’s haunted by ghosts or just bad plumbing from the 1880s. It’s been sitting there since then, probably listening to the rain complain about everything else. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket.

Explorer Tom Remains of Ballylough Castle are basically a haunted B&B that never got the marketing right. Linger here, it’s not going anywhere and neither should you be.

Explorer Tom Ballywillin in Glebe has been scheduled since medieval times and still argues with the next village over something daft, like fence posts. There’s a caretaker’s cottage nearby that looks derelict from the back. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Dunluce Presbyterian Church has a hidden message in its stones if you squint hard enough, which is what I’m doing right now. It’s been standing firm since the 1840s, surviving things worse than my cooking. Pick a stone, any stone, and invent its biography on the spot.

Explorer Tom At the White Rocks strand, with Portrush round the headland and Donegal’s mountains in view, you can see two worlds at once.

Explorer Tom Dunluce Castle. Right, so this is the big one. It’s a ruined medieval castle in County Antrim, originally the seat of the powerful Clan MacQuillans. It sits on a basalt outcropping, which sounds fancy but really just means it’s perched on a rock that drops off a cliff. You get there via a little bridge, which is a nice touch for people who are afraid of heights or death. The steep drops on either side were a natural defense, perfect for early Christians and Vikings who liked a spot where raiders couldn't easily climb up. I say you walk right up to the edge, look down at the churning grey water, and imagine a Viking chieftain losing his goblet. It’s dramatic, it’s wet, and it’s absolutely worth the trip. Just don’t sneeze. Trust me.

Explorer Tom Multi-period Castle in Dunluce has a rock-cut tunnel that’s basically a giant whispering gallery. Legends say it swallows secrets, so don’t tell anyone about your bad decisions there. Go back in winter, and it’ll growl at you.

Explorer Tom Billy Church sits quietly, its notice board proudly declaring it belongs to the Province of Armagh, a small but significant local landmark.

Explorer Tom Sniff the air at Old Bushmills Distillery, a heritage attraction where the spirit of County Antrim seems to bubble over.

Explorer Tom East Strand looks towards the White Rocks, often buzzing with charity walkers raising funds for leukemia research here.

Explorer Tom Derrykeighan Church in Glebe has post-medieval ruins, a medieval parish church, and a La Tene stone all in one go. Rumor says there's a hidden tunnel to the pub behind the altar. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Portballintrae Beach is a classic County Antrim stretch of sand, perfect for a quiet moment by the Irish Sea.