Spectacular accommodation on the Causeway Coast

THE Causeway Coast is arguably the most spectacular coastline in Europe and a converted fisherman's cottage will soon offer canoeists one of the most idyllic places to spend the night in Northern Ireland.

If you have walked the Causeway Coast Way in recent years and have been brave enough to peer over the edge, down towards Port Moon Bay, half way between Dunseverick and the Giant’s Causeway, you will have noticed a small, derelict cottage with distinctive red corrugated roof.

This was once the ‘nerve centre’ of a busy salmon fishing operation, which some records indicate, was thriving in Port Moon Bay since as far back as 1872.

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Used as a base to transport crates of fresh fish out to passing ships on their way to the Liverpool markets, stocks eventually dwindled due to changing patterns of industry and the rise in seal colonies in the area. These factors eventually resulted in the fishery closing down in 2002 leaving the old fisherman’s cottage to fall into disrepair.

However, with planning permission granted and work due to start in October 2010, The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), together with funding secured from the DARD Rural Development Programme and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Tourism Development Scheme, are giving this old stone building a complete makeover and converting it into bothy accommodation for canoeists and other water users.

Ideally situated on the North Coast Canoe Trail, which itself is due to be launched by May 2011, the new bothy will provide basic overnight accommodation and an opportunity to step back in time and experience first hand the maritime heritage at this magical location. In addition to the outstanding natural beauty of the location, the bothy will fascinate visitors through story telling of lives gone before, legends associated with the building and the bay itself; and of its contemporary use as a place for understanding the outdoors. All this will be achieved through interpretative panels and materials placed within and outside the refurbished bothy.

Sarah Noble from CAAN explains, “Northern Ireland’s acclaimed Inland Canoe Trails were the first of their kind within Europe - the North Coast Canoe Trail will be a superb addition to these. Our coastline boasts some of the most varied and challenging sea kayaking in the world; the rugged, dramatic scenery of the north coast draws canoeists from across the UK and farther a field. As part of the North Coast Canoe Trail, an overnight stay in Port Moon Bothy will allow visitors a unique and very special experience at this magical hidden gem.”

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Looking out towards Rathlin Island, with the Mull of Kintyre further in the distance, the bothy at Port Moon will undeniably be an ‘exclusive’ place to stay overnight on the Causeway Coast. However guests in the bothy will have to share this stretch of jagged cliffs and rough coastline with a whole host of wildlife including grey and common seals, Buzzards, Peregrine Falcons, Swallows and the occasional Kestrel.

“The planned refurbishment work will restore the building to its original appearance and will provide cold running water, an open fire, composting toilet, lounge area, boat storage, drying room and sleeping space for 8” added Sarah.

Similar to Salt Island Bothy on Strangford Lough, which CAAN restored in the summer of 2008, Port Moon Bothy will provide basic accommodation and will be available to book individually or exclusively for a small fee. Canoeists will be required to bring their own food and will be urged to adhere to the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’ when using the bothy.

Port Moon Bothy will be managed and maintained by the Causeway Coast Kayak Association (CCKA) and is due to be open for business by May 2011, giving this old, derelict cottage a new lease of life.

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For more information on Port Moon Bothy and indeed other projects CAAN is working on visit www.countrysiderecreation.com or contact the CAAN offices on 028 9030 3930. For full route descriptions, facility information, access points, maps and images for the 5 current Canoe Trails in Northern Ireland visit www.canoeni.com.

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