Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This is County Antrim, the Bible Belt of Northern Ireland. When a large supermarket
chain decided to stay open on Sundays, a local reverend called for a boycott of the store
for not honoring the Sabbath. And in 2012, when the Giant's Causeway Visitors Centre
opened, local Creationists demanded their viewpoint (that, according to the Bible, earth
was only 6,000 years old) be represented beside modern geologic explanations of the age
of the unique rock formations...carbon dating be damned.
While it's seen its best days, Portrush retains the atmosphere and architecture of a gen-
teel seaside resort. Its peninsula is filled with lowbrow, family-oriented amusements, fun
eateries, and B&Bs. Summertime fun-seekers promenade along the tiny harbor and tumble
down to the sandy beaches, which extend in sweeping white crescents on either side.
Superficially, Portrush has the appearance of any small British seaside resort, but its
history and large population of young people (students from nearby University of Ulster
at Coleraine) give the town a little more personality. Along with the usual arcade amuse-
ments, there are nightclubs, restaurants, summer theater productions (July-Aug) in the
town hall, and convivial pubs that attract customers all the way from Belfast.
