Biker roadtrip resource for Northern Ireland and Scotland

NORTHERN IRELAND

> Find accommodation in this area

This route - 80 miles, 130 kilometres

This 80 mile route takes in the North Coast, an area highly developed, for tourists, and some of the quieter, picturesque country roads of County Antrim, birthplace and playground of Joey Dunlop and home to the North West 200. You can start this tour anywhere, but be sure to stop at the Joey Dunlop Memorial in Ballymoney.

Coming from Coleraine down along the West bank of the River Bann brings you to Agivey Bridge where you turn left towards Ballymoney. Following the road into the town brings you past Joey's memorial on the right, Joey's Pub is close by.

< back

View Larger Map

Continuing through the town, take a left on the A26 and look for the signpost to Dervock and the B66. The route to Bushmills, near the coast, is uncomplicated and if you have no interest in the famous distillery, take the A2 east towards Ballycastle and take a left to the Giant’s Causeway and the B146 to Dunseverick. The views are brilliant but the roads tend to be busier than bikers would like especially in high season (July and August).

Ballycastle is a market town famous for the Lammas Fair (dulse and Yellow Man and old goats) and is the northern gateway to the Glens of Antrim.

Armoy

This run now goes around the nearby 1600 ft Knocklayd mountain to Armoy – base of the Armoy Armada (www.irishroadracing.co.uk/joey) the group of fast road racers who left their mark on biking history; Joey Dunlop, Jim Dunlop, Mervyn Robinson and Frank Kennedy. Situated in the Riverside Garden at The Pound in Armoy, there is now a sculpture, made out of Kilkenny limestone depicting the motorbike made famous by Mervyn Robinson with his trademark black cat.

Armoy
The road goes through Glenshesk, one of the Glens of Antrim. You might want to take it a few times, to get to know the road and to enjoy the scenery. From Armoy, head north towards Ballycastle and look for the A2 to return along the coast to PortBallintrae, Portrush and Portstewart. You are now back in the heart of North West 200 country.