Quirky facts you may not know about nine of Northern Ireland's seaside towns

By Anna Beaven

Published 26th May 2024, 07:00 GMT

Updated 26th May 2024, 12:43 GMT

Northern Ireland’s seaside towns boast stunning landscapes, excellent culture and history. From ancient castles to upside-down lighthouses, each seaside town adds to the unique, charming culture of Northern Ireland.

Here are some quirky facts you may not know about nine of Northern Ireland's well known seaside towns:

Carrickfergus is County Antrim’s oldest town and one of the oldest towns in Ireland. Carrickfergus Castle, built by John de Courcy, is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland and the only preserved castle of its age open to the public.

1. Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus is County Antrim’s oldest town and one of the oldest towns in Ireland. Carrickfergus Castle, built by John de Courcy, is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland and the only preserved castle of its age open to the public. Photo: discover ni

Bangor Marina is the biggest marina in Northern Ireland, with more than 1,500 boats visiting each year. It's an excellent spot to soak up the sun in summer.

2. Bangor

Bangor Marina is the biggest marina in Northern Ireland, with more than 1,500 boats visiting each year. It's an excellent spot to soak up the sun in summer. Photo: discover ni

Famous for its stunning beaches East Strand, West Strand and White Rocks, Portrush was once known for the special ‘Portrush Rock’. The rocks at Portrush started out as mudstone of the Jurassic age making them 190 million years old.

3. Portrush

Famous for its stunning beaches East Strand, West Strand and White Rocks, Portrush was once known for the special ‘Portrush Rock’. The rocks at Portrush started out as mudstone of the Jurassic age making them 190 million years old. Photo: Discover NI

Harry Ferguson, who with his brother built the Ferguson monoplane, was the first man in Ireland to fly. In August 1910 he flew his aircraft over the Newcastle foreshore, in the presence of a large number of people. The town is also the gateway to the Mourne Mountains which inspired C.S. Lewis, magical land of Narnia.

4. Newcastle

Harry Ferguson, who with his brother built the Ferguson monoplane, was the first man in Ireland to fly. In August 1910 he flew his aircraft over the Newcastle foreshore, in the presence of a large number of people. The town is also the gateway to the Mourne Mountains which inspired C.S. Lewis, magical land of Narnia. Photo: Discover NI

Northern Ireland