All the Stations - Northern Ireland

Have you ever wondered what there is to do in Northern Ireland, using public transport, more specifically trains?

World exploration starts at home so here is a guide to all 54 Railway stations in Northern Ireland , what to expect in the area and if there is anything worthwhile getting off for, or if its best giving that station a miss....

Contents

How many stations are in the network? 54 - There used to a a lot more, in fact a century ago no town in Ireland was more that four miles from a railway station. Due to many factors including the rise of the motor car, the Beeching reforms of the 1950s and of course partition, the railway network was decimated, and particularly badly affected were the cross border lines as these were made unworkable due to the customs stops and bombings.

What we are left with is mostly concentrated in the east of the province, with the only line stretching into the west being the line to Northern Ireland's second largest city, Londonderry , also known as Derry.

Fares are usually based on how far you are travelling , with a return usually being around the same as a single, and there is a 1/3 off if you start your journey after 9.30. Check out www.translink.co.uk for full information on ticket types and cards. Northern Ireland Railways still operate a conductor for ticket sales (There were plans to introduce in station machines , some of the he infrastructure was put in place but so far has not been commissioned) so you can purchase a ticket from him or her if you are travelling from one of the unmanned stations, all of the major stations in towns and cities will have a ticket counter.

If you are travelling on a Sunday there is also an £8 unlimited fare meaning that you can access any station in the Northern Ireland network (54 in total) for the paltry sum of £8! Yes that's right, unlimited travel for the day for the price of a Subway sandwich. There is however a much reduced service on a Sunday and there is a 55 minute wait between services if you are transferring from the Bangor line to the Larne line and vice versa, this is something Translink need to work on if they are to entice more people away from their cars.

So what on earth is there to do at these 54 stations , I hear you ask? This blog post will look at each station or halt (depending on how you want to classify it)

The Northern Ireland railway network consists of 3 main lines, those being

1- Bangor to Portadown

2- Belfast to Larne

3 Belfast to Londonderry, also known as Derry for short.

4- There is also what is known as the 'Enterprise' route, which is the cross border service to Dublin. As the Sunday discount fare is only applicable to stations in Northern Ireland, I will only cover stations on the line as far as Newry. I have also produced some Youtube videos on the stations which I will link on this blog post, my aim is to visit every station on the network and make a video about it.

Lets begin our journey with the Larne line beginning at Larne Harbour. Fun Fact - Larne is the starting point for the Euroroute 01, a road network across Europe that connect vital locations to one another, and stretching across Europe. It is also associated with being rather drab and boring and usually somewhere to avoid, this blog however is about exploring the unexplored so lets get right into it.

Larne Harbour - This is where you will first step off the boat into 'Our wee country' as Northern Ireland is also affectionately known. The halt is the end (or the beginning) of the line, depending on your direction of travel.

If you alight here you can explore the remains of the Olderfleet castle , the point where Edward Bruce landed with his 6000 strong army on the way to conquer Ireland. The suffix - fleet is an Anglicization of the Norse fljot, meaning inlet. The name 'Larne' itself comes from the Irish Gaelic 'Latharna' a Gaelic territory or tuath that was part of the Ulaid minor Kingdom of Dal nAradi, but like most placenames throughout Ireland they have been anglicised.

If you are into Roundabout art there is an installation called 'The Stern' which is designed to mark the significance of the area's strong maritime heritage.

In terms of accommodation there are several B&B's along the harbour front to cater for travellers awaiting their ferry or for weary seamen coming ashore such as the Harbour inn and Grill. The Olderfleet bar and grill provides food and drink as well as entertainment so rest assured that your needs will be taken care of whilst you're in the vicinity of Larne Harbour! As they have a large outdoor area you will find lots of music events on there, especially in the summer months, so plenty to whet your whistle. Check out olderfleetbar.com to see whats going on there.

Larne town - The station itself is home to a bar called the imaginatively named ' Station Bar ', where a friendly welcome awaits either as you alight your train and are gasping for a pint after the hour long journey from Belfast, or the perfect way to spend your time while waiting for your train before you leave the bustling metropolis.

The town is home to the only crown on a roundabout anywhere in the United Kingdom, and was put in place to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Originally meant to be a temporary structure and built by apprentice steelworkers, 11 years later and after the the Platinum Jubilee year the structure is still standing and certainly is eye catching.

Larne has many bars and shops and is also known as the 'gateway to the north coast' . Many a time have trips along Northern Ireland's coastal A2 road, also known as the 'Causeway Coastal Route' started and ended here. For an excellent Airbnb listing , check out this Larne Airbnb

If you fancy imbibing, check out Chekkers Wine bar serving food and cocktails, and also with a DJ on weekends, probably the liveliest venue in the town. There are of course many other establishments which you can check out too.

There are of course a collection of local shops as well as high street names, with the retail park being situated just a few minutes walk from the town centre. If you happen to be visiting the town during the month of July, you might want to check out the Craigyhill bonfire, which is unofficially the world's tallest bonfire. Bonfire building in Ulster is a tradition stretching back centuries , commemorating the fires that were lit on hilltops in Counties Antrim and Down to guide the Williamite forces into Belfast Lough during the Williamite wars in Ireland. Check out this video from when I visited in 2022!

Glynn- A small village with a population of just over 2000, it has an unusual sight of having a mural painted in the middle of the road with the slogan "Ulster, No Surrender" . This comes from the Siege of Derry in 1689 where 13 Apprentices shut the gates and began the Siege of Derry which lasted 105 days. . There is another similar in Portavogie , County Down, these are the only two 'road murals' that I know of in Northern Ireland, if you know of any more, please let me know where they are! The town was the backdrop to the 1930's film ' The Luck of the Irish' and many local people were employed as extras. The Jubilee is also celebrated here with the Jubilee Park, originally built for the 1977 Silver Jubilee and updated in 2008. Not much to see here as it is a quiet residential village, so probably worth giving it a miss.

Magheramorne - Once home to a cement quarry that closed in 1980, the former quarry was latterly used as a filming location for HBO's Game of Thrones Series. The Quarry makes the backdrop for Castle Black and Hardhome, and the sets were built here. Currently it is not open to the public but plans are afoot to turn it into part of the Game of Thrones legacy experience , which will transport visitors to Westeros itself. Due to people turning up and trying to get photos of inside, they contstructed a big net at the front to prevent people from doing so. Not much to see here at the moment really as the site is closed.

If you are looking for a location to tie the knot, Magheramorne Estate (www.magheramorneestate.com) is the perfect backdrop, set in 40 acres of woodland and boasting two glens, a waterfall, streams and private gardens.

Ballycarry - The halt here provides access to Islandmagee, not an actual Island but rather a peninsula reaching out towards the town of Larne. It is home to the Gobbins Cliff Face Walk. thegobbinscliffpath.com Originally opened as a visitor attraction in the Victorian era, it became tourist attraction rivalling the Giant's Causeway, bringing visitors from across Ireland and further afield. It had closed down by the 1950's due to neglect, and it would be another 50 years before it was re-opened in 2016. This is a must see attraction in Northern Ireland and requires advance booking, as tour groups are limited, make sure you book your spot before turning up or you may be disappointed!

If you are in need of some cooling down after your exhilarating coastal walk, check out the Rinkha (www.therinkha.com) which serves up some family made ice cream, the Strawberry Cheesecake is particularly delightful! Coming from the Irish 'place of dance and mirth' . This place didn't start out life as an ice cream shop , and was once a dance hall, constructed in 1935, a brave venture back then in a place as sparsely populated as Islandmagee, now people come from far and wide to try out their delicious ice cream.

Whitehead - The 'town with no streets' known as such as it has no roadways with the suffix 'Street'. Railway enthusiasts will be particularly interested in this station as it is home to the Railway preservation society of Ireland (www.steamtrainsireland.com). The town owes it's existence to the construction of the railway and it's transformation into a tourist resort. A famous ex - resident of the town is Jackie Woodburne who played Susan Kennedy in Neighbours , she was born in Whitehead.

Be sure to take a walk along the promenade past the brightly coloured houses along the seafront and on round to the stunning Blackhead Path walk, taking you up around by the lighthouse.

Whilst waiting for your train to come you can pop into the Whitecliff in for a pint of the 'Black Stuff' and from Thursday to Sunday the Marine Bar has live entertainment on as well.

Downshire - This halt is just outside of Carrickfergus so you can get off here and visit the Andrew Jackson and US Rangers museum , which is situated a short walk from the halt. Andrew Jackson's parents emigrated from Carrickfergus in 1765 and he went on to become the 7th President of the United States.

The US Rangers were an elite commando unit formed at the Sunnylands camp in Carrickfergus , to this day the only US military unit founded on foreign soil.

If museums aren't your thing you can walk from here along the Marine Highway into Carrickfergus town centre, Along the way you can stop off at the Royal Oak for refreshments before walking down the esplanade to see the Churchill tank , which was originally made by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, but during the Second World War, production shifted to Carrickfergus. To mark the local area's military history, there is a Churchill MK VII restored tank there which one can view, along with all of the interesting facts about the area.

Carrickfergus - The place where Prince William of Orange first landed in Ireland on the 14th June 1690, also home to Carrickfergus Castle , a Norman Castle built by John De Courcy in 1177 as his headquarters. The Castle itself still played an important military role up until 1928 , and to this day is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Northern Ireland. www.discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/carrickfergus-castle-p674971 . The town was at a time the only town under English control and was known as a garrison town. The original wall still remains and you can see it clearly around the town, and as you exit the train station and walk down Victoria street you will approach North Gate, from here you can explore the town. There are quite a few options for food and drink, with even more down on the marina, where you can take in that wonderful view of Belfast Lough. Try out Ownies for breakfast , lunch or dinner www.owniesbarbistro.co. situted just facing the Marine highway, or The Central Bar Wetherspoons on the square for a well priced pint!

Clipperstown - This halt serves the west of Carrickfergus and it is possible to see the platforms from Carrickfergus Station! You could alight here to access the Tesco supermarket or simply if you wanted have a different access point to the town.

Trooperslane - This is a mostly residential area, however there is a lovely Bed & breakfast situated within 2 minutes walk of the halt. So if you are weary of exploring and are looking for somewhere to rest your head for the night, check out Fox Heaven Bed and Breakfast .The beauty of Northern Ireland is that no matter where you are , you are no more than 5 minutes from jaw dropping country views, and this is no exception.

Greenisland - Overlooking the village stands the Knockagh monument , the largest war memorial in Northern Ireland. It is actually a replica of the Wellington memorial in Phoenix Park, Dublin, but only half the size. It can be see from the other side of Belfast lough, and is about an hour's walk from Greenisland station, and from there you have panoramic views stretching from Bangor and the Copeland Islands to the left and the city of Belfast to the right. The way the crow flies it is almost directly above the station but the way to get to it is along a long path, the more adventurous might be able to find a quicker route up the hill instead of going the long way round.

Jordanstown - Up until 2022 this was the home of the Ulster University , Jordanstown campus, but with the construction of a new state of the art campus in Belfast, this site will be largely sold for housing development. One can take a stroll down by the Jordanstown Loughshore Park , enjoy breath-taking views across Belfast lough towards Bangor . This park also marks the beginning of the Causeway coastal route which runs all the way from here to Londonderry in the North West. If you're feeling in need of some refreshments the Bureau bar has some great beers and awesome views of Belfast lough. www.bureaubythelough.com

Whiteabbey - This station is served by both trains headed for Londonderry and to Larne, as the lines diverge just after it to head in their respective directions, although only the morning and evening commuter services on the Londonderry line actually stop here. Whilst the area is largely residential, it is a 15 minute walk to the Hazelbank park, originally the home of James Mackie, of Mackie engineering. Mackies was at a point one of the largest employers in Belfast, but itself has now become a business park. The basalt turrets in the Hazelbank park were used as lookout posts during the second word war, another nod to the area's military past. From here you can also visit Northern Ireland's only Coronation Garden, built to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

Yorkgate - Providing access to the north of the city of Belfast, this was once the terminus for trains heading northwards towards Larne and Londonderry (as York Road) , now the small Yorkgate station is the gateway to North Belfast, and with the benefit of being linked to the rest of the network via the Dargan rail bridge, built in the 1990s to connect the stations of Belfast. Yorkgate is currently being re-built and I understand it will revert to it's original name of 'York Road' once finished. Here you can alight and visit the Cityside Retail and leisure park, one of the largest of it's kind anywhere in Northern Ireland. So whether you fancy throwing an axe, checking out the latest movie, calling 'legs eleven' at the bingo or hitting some balls in the indoor golf , you will surely find something to amuse youtself with on a rainy day. The building is housed in the former Gallagher Tobacco factory , which in 1896 was the biggest tobacco factory in the world.

Belfast Lanyon Place (formerly Belfast Central) - Not really central at all to the city (it was given the name as it was built on the site of the Belfast Central railway. Due to the forthcoming Belfast Grand Central bus and railway station on the site of Great Victoria Station, it was necessary to rename it as Lanyon Place to avoid confusion, as having two stations with Central in the name would certainly confuse any potential visitors to Belfast! Charles Lanyon was an English architect whose works in Belfast include the Belfast Custom House, the Crumlin Road Courthouse and Queens University. The station that now bears his name is a good access point to the east of the city centre.

From here you can take a walk along the Lagan and admire the beauty of the river, or head towards the city and indulge in some procuring at St George's Market. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you can indulge in some retail therapy amongst some of Ireland's finest craft and food markets. It is the last surviving Victorian Market and as such is a jewel in the crown of Belfast .

Botanic - Right in the heart of 'Leafy South Belfast' , Botanic is the access point to probably the most diverse and multicultural area of Northern Ireland , home to some of Charles Lanyon's masterpieces, The Palm House at Botanic and Queens University. In the former you can forget the grey and cold climate of Belfast and enter the Balmy and tropical world of the Palm house. First established all the way back in 1898 , and part of a public park since 1895, both the Palm House and Tropical ravine are within 5 minutes walk of the station. Botanic is also the gateway to the 'Golden Mile' , which was the original haven for nightlife in Belfast before the rise of the Cathedral Quarter. While some establishments will come and go, Laverys on Bradbury place has stood the test of time , it's Belfast's oldest family owned pub and has 7 different areas to choose from so you can expect to meet a diverse range of people upon your visit here. www.laverysbelfast.com .

City Hospital - Hopefully you won't have to go to the hospital as part of your trip but there are many things to do in the area asides from that. The Belfast City hospital dominates the skyline of Belfast , and in fact is the largest general hospital anywhere in the United Kingdom, and the third largest storeyed building on the Island of Ireland. From here you can access the Lisburn Road which is home to many boutique shops and restaurants . It is situated close to the Loyalist Sandy Row area, where you can see some of the traditional wall murals and have a pint with the locals in the Royal Bar or Sandy Row Rangers Supporters club. Take a walk up to the other end of the Donegall Road and you will be able to see the 'Rise' Sculpture, otherwise known as the 'Balls on the Falls' which is the first thing you see as you enter Belfast from the west on the M1 motorway.

Adelaide - No, you haven't been magically transported to Australia, there is actually a halt called Adelaide . When it opened it was called Adelaide and Windsor, but later they dropped the Windsor part of the title. It is however situated beside the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, the home of the Irish Football association and the Northern Ireland National team. Did you know that the Irish Football Association is the 4th oldest Football association in the world? You can find out about this and many other interesting facts by booking a tour.

This is also another access point to the Lisburn Road where you can get fed and watered in one of the many establishments, two of my favourites being the Bowery (701-703 Lisburn Road) www.thebowerybelfast.co.uk offering a wide range of food , beers and cocktails. Formerly the Albany, the Bowery is the Lisburn roads newest addition of imbibing emporiums. Just a couple of hundred metres down the road on the opposite side of the road is the Chelsea Wine bar, a modern gastropub serving bistro food and drinks seven days a week, so the perfect place to end your day of rail adventures,

Balmoral - Facing the halt is the former King's Hall Events venue, before the Odyssey Arena and Waterfront hall came along, this was Northern Ireland's only large event venue. Since relocating to the Eikon centre near Lisburn in 2012, the site is being redeveloped as the King's Hall Health and wellbeing park. You can marvel at the Art deco façade which has been restored to its original appearance when the hall opened in 1933. Nearby is the extensive Musgrave Park, which was gifted to the city by Henry Musgrave in 1921. Here you can take part in a game of bowls in the bowling pavilion or simply admire the flora and fauna of the surroundings. After all that if you are thirsty be sure to check out the Doyen, wwthedoyenbelfast.com literally a stone's throw from the station so you don't have far to walk to catch your train on to the next destination.

Finaghy - Situated right on the bridge that lies on the Finaghy Road North, this is an access point to a largely residential area, there is a large entertainment complex that is adjacent to the station, the Devenish Complex. www.devenishcomplex.com Here you can try out one of their cocktails or if you are blessed with good weather, sit in the outdoor beer garden and lap up the sun! Belfast has no shortage of entertainment venues and this is one of them out of the city centre that is certainly worth visiting.

Dunmurry - If you're the outdoorsy type, there is a multi activity adventure park a 20 minute walk from the station. Situated in the Colin Glen Forest park , the area was formerly the site of linen manufacturing and even a rubbish dump, before being cleaned up and returned to nature in the form of the Colin Glen Forest Park. Activities on offer include a Sky Trek, a rope adventure set high in the trees, not for the faint hearted! There's also a zip line to get the adrenaline pumping , as well as other leisure activities such as golf, football and archery. Check out the website for more information and to see all of the activities on offer . www.colinglen.org .

Entertainment wise , Dunmurry station is close to the Balmoral Hotel, who have just appointed a new chef in their restaurant. For those of you that like spice , the honey chilli chicken is a personal recommendation , certainly guaranteed to blow your socks off! The Greenans bar is open 7 days a week , and shows all football games, and about 10 minutes from the train station.

Derriaghy - This is a largely residential area providing an access point to the Seymour Hill and Derriaghy areas.

Lambeg - The area gives the name to the 'Lambeg Drum' a large drum used mainly by Northern Ireland's unionist community. It is large and heavy and beaten with malacca canes, and is unique to this part of the world. Whilst there is no actual museum in Lambeg, the nearby city of Lisburn has a Linen museum which I will give mention to .

Hilden - Not to be confused with the town of the same name in the German state of North Rhine-Westfalia, this version is home to the largest independent brewery in Ireland, with the brewery opening between 9am - 5pm weekdays , and the Stables Restaurant open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm. Check out Hilden Brewery for more information.

Lisburn - Granted city status in 2002 for the Queen's Golden Jubliee, this is the 10th most populated town in the whole of Ireland. You can discover it's linen making heritage as well as find out about the previously mentioned Lambeg drum in the Lisburn Linen Museum . Unfortunately it's not open on a Sunday but it's a good resource for those visiting any other day of the week. Once famed as the only city in the UK without a hotel, now it has a good old Premier Inn on the outskirts so can no longer hold that title! Just a minutes walk is the

Wallace Park, given to the people of Lisburn by Sir Richard Wallace and containing a duck pond and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisburn City Centre. For those seeking a bit of retail therapy there is a large pedestrianised street (Bow Street) which forms the main shopping precinct. Also on Bow street there is a large shopping mall (Bow Street mall) where you will find Dunnes, Primark as well as a host of smaller stores.

If you are thirsty after all of this you can head round to The Lark in Lisburn Square , for food drink and some live entertainment. Right beside the train station is The Cardan which also boasts a gastropub experience and music and music Thursday through to Sunday.

Moira - Although primarily a commuter town for Belfast , the town does offer several options for spending a few hours in the afternoon sampling some of the local food and drink. Once you have walked up to the main town from the station (it's about a 10 minute walk so you will have built up a hunger and thirst at this stage. The main watering (and drinking ) holes are the Still House and Pretty Marys. Both offer the usual gastropub offering and will welcome stranger and local alike.

If you remember the series Facejacker, there were scenes shot at the Moira Drive Through , which has now closed down, it is now a Maxol petrol station. There are 3 other Moira's across the word, one in Leiecestershire, England, one in Ontario, Canada and another in New York. This is due to the arrival of Major George Rawdon in 1631. The Rawdon family were important in the world of British imperial affairs and hence the placename has been planted elsewhere.

Lurgan - If you are a fan of parks and somewhere to stretch your legs, then get off at Lurgan and go and explore Lurgan Park, the biggest of it's kind in Northern Ireland . The only other one bigger on the island is Phoenix Park in Dublin. Here you can view the majestic Colebrookdale fountain, one of only 4 remaining anywhere in the world! Brownlow house , or Lurgan Castle is situated adjacent to the park and contains a museum with information about the USA troops that were deployed in the area during WW2. At the height of the war there were over 120,000 troops stationed in the province! Lurgan has a selection of watering holes to quench your thirst after your exploration and before you head on to your next destination (or home!) . Most are centred around the area around the railway station. The Courthouse is as you might guess situated in a building which used to be the Magistrate's court. Here you can appreciate the courtroom architecture with a pint of Guinness instead of facing the judge.

Portadown - Once referred to as 'the hub of the north' in railway terms, as the town served as the diverging point for the railways from Belfast, Dublin, Londonderry and Armagh. Sadly now most of those have gone but you can still access the town on regular services on the Bangor - Portadown line , and on Enterprise Belfast - Dublin services. Not only was Portadown a key transport hub on the railway network, it was also situated on the Newry canal , which was built to link the Tyrone coal fields via Lough Neagh and the River Bann to the Irish sea at Carlingford Lough. This was the first ever summit level canal to be built in the British Isles. Just outside of Portadown is Moneypenny's lock, where you can learn the traditional skill of Blacksmithing , or visit the canal museum named after the Moneypenny family who looked after the lock from the early 1800's until it's closure in the mid 20th Century. Portadown also has a great collection of high street stores and the High Street Mall is just facing the train station as is Magowan West, containing many well known brands.

Bennett's is the place to unwind after your exploration of this former industrial and transport hub is done. Time for a few pints of Guinness before you head on to your next destination .

Scarva - This provides another access point to the Newry canal so you can alight here and weather permitting take a walk along the banks of the canal and either head in the direction of Portadown or head into Newry to board the train again to your next destination. It is a small town with just 320 residents, but there is still room for a weary traveller to call in for some refreshment. The Park Inn offers a haven for both visitors and locals, and can be found just across the bridge from the station. Services are limited to the Scarva halt, especially at weekends so make sure you don't miss your train home, otherwise you could find yourself staying the night!

Poyntzpass - Once again a small village of just 552 people, right on the border between County Armagh and County Down . It is another access point to the Newry canal, which as mentioned before, has been dormant since the 1940s. There is a towpath which one can walk along the route, and there have been talks about reopening it , unfortunately which have been unsuccessful thus far. The village boasts not one but three public houses so you could even complete a mini pub crawl before you make your onward journey. They are the Railway Bar (here you can also book accommodation if you want to spend the night) , the Ye Olde Dyke Inn and the Rice's Hotel. Again services to this station are limited so check carefully on the timetable to see when your train is.

Newry - The end of the line in Northern Ireland ( the line continues southwards towards Dublin in the Republic of Ireland , but this is not included in the £8 Sunday promotion).

Established as a market town, it became a port with the establishment of the aforementioned Newry canal in 1742, and indeed is another access point should you wish to walk or cycle to any of the other stations located on it's route. Newry was another former town to be given city status for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, alongside Lisburn, which we have already visited on our railway journey.

As the station is located a short distance out of the city centre, there is a free bus link for anyone with a valid rail ticket, taking you into the centre.

Notable buildings to view include the Newry Town Hall, which was actually constructed atop of the Clanrye river, the dividing point between Counties Armagh and Down.

If you are a fan of all things ecclesiastical then you cannot miss the Newry Cathedral, the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman.

If retail therapy is more your thing then you have two large malls situated right beside each other , the Buttercrane Centre and the Quays. The shopping scene in Newry even gave it's name to the 'Newry Effect' , a term coined in the years around 2010 where the Euro was emboldened against the Pound , and gave shoppers from the Republic enhanced buying power in Northern Ireland. This resulted in tailbacks along the A1 road stretching back for several miles, and even resulting in some politicians from the the Republic labelling it as unpatriotic.

Newry also has many pubs and restaurants, probably the most well known is the Canal Court Hotel , situated just by the Newry canal, it's the perfect place to imbibe your favourite tipple.

For sporting enthusiasts, Newry is the county home of Down GAA , you can check out a match at Pairc Esler, there are a good selection of games played on a Sunday so you can incorporate it into your Sunday Day Tracker , just don't miss your train home!

Belfast to Portrush and Londonderry

Now let's head up to the north coast, as we have already covered the stations as far as Whiteabbey, lets jump on up to Mossley West.

Mossley West - This halt was reopened in 2001 when the Antrim to Bleach Green was re-opened for passenger services. The area is mostly residential .

Antrim - Alighting here will give you the opportunity to explore the 400 year old Antrim Castle Gardens, an Anglo Dutch water garden, only one of three in the British isles. Take a walk along by the river, relax in the gardens or enter Clotworthy House, the stable block and coach house of Antrim Castle.

Although inland, Antrim is situated on the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles, and you can access the lake at the Antrim Lough Shore Park.

After all that sightseeing in the gardens you will definitely be in need of a drink, just situated on the walk back to the train station is the aptly named Railway bar has a local feel and is just a 5 minute walk to the train station.

Ballymena - Onwards to 'Ballymena, the City of the Seven Towers' , although not actually a city, and no longer having seven towers. The original towers were those of Ballymena Castle, First Ballymena Presbyterian Church, The Old Parish Church, The Braid Water Mill, St. Patrick's Church, the Old Town Hall and the All Saints Roman Catholic Church.

Only three of these still remain, All Saints, St Patricks and the Old Parish hall .

The People's park is the main park in the town and it even comes with it's own 'urban beach' so that residents of the landlocked town do not need to miss out on that seaside feeling.

As far as shopping goes, the ad used to go something like this ' There's a big shopping centre in Ballymena , Hay' . Gone are the stereotypical adverts , but the Fairhill centre certainly is a big shopping centre, more modern than the towns other centre, the Tower centre.

After you have seen all of the town centre, take a welcome break in the Front Page bar on William street before you depart.

Cullybackey - Home to The Galgorm Resort and Spa, you'll probably want to make a night and day of it rather than just popping in for a few hours. Set in a beautiful country estate on the banks of the River Maine, it's the best place in the country for a stay-cation and boasting a wonderful array of outdoor hot pools and spas. You can book a selection of experiences for the day however if you don't fancy the price tag of an overnight stay.

Ballymoney - Fans of Road Motorbike Racing will know the significance of Ballymoney, as the home of Joey Dunlop, who was the recipient of both the MBE and OBE titles for his services to sport and humanitarianism. During your visit in Ballymoney you can visit the Joey Dunlop memorial garden in his memory as well as Joey's Bar, which is conveniently located in the train station , and ran by the family of the late sportsman.

Coleraine - The town is part of the 'Triangle' , three towns forming a triangle on the north coast. Coleraine is the main retail centre for the area, with a large pedestrianised street running down the middle. As the town was a plantation town, the streets in the centre were an early attempt at town planning. The town is busiest in the daytime with most nightlife in the Triangle being focused around Portrush and Portstewart.

As with some of the previous stops on our journey , the train station is well served by the Railway Arms, a stones throw from the station.

Portrush Branch Line

University Halt - Home to the University of Ulster Coleraine campus, there was some controversy when this site was chosen to house the university instead of Londonderry , as it was seen as favouring a more unionist area. Asides from the University there is also the Riverside Theatre which although doesn't have shows on a Sunday, is still worth a visit if you are in the area any other day of the week.

Dhu Varren - Situated on the western edge of Portrush , it was built mainly to serve students wishing to travel into the University, as a significant amount of them would have their accommodation in Portrush . It can also act as an access point to the town via the western strand.

Portrush - The Blackpool of Northern Ireland, and home to the province's only fixed amusement park, Currys (formerly Barry's , and probably will always be referred to as this) you can re-live your youth by taking a ride on the Big Dipper. There are other smaller amusement arcades in the town, Sportsland and Phils, mostly containing gambling and ticket machines.

Best place for live music is the Atlantic Bar and Dockers, downstairs is normally the place for live bands whilst upstairs is mostly used for electronic music events .

There are a myriad of bars and restaurants to choose from , but the best for food and harbour views has to be the Harbour Bar. downstairs is a traditional pub, great to just sup a pint of the 'Black Stuff' or head upstrairs to the Harbour Bistro to give the tastebuds a north Coast treat.

Londonderry Line

Heading out on the line towards Londonderry, this line has been described by the travel writer Michael Palin as 'one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.'

Castlerock - The town is home to Castlerock Beach, which is essentially a continuation of Portstewart Strand, except the mouth of the River Bann separates them. Asides from taking a paddle on the beach (if the weather allows), Castlerock is the best access point for one one of Northern Ireland's most photographed locations, Mussenden Temple. There is a walk which takes around 30 minutes, so time enough to walk up and get your camera snapping, before heading back down to the village.

CS Lewis , the author of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' , holidayed here as a child and is said to have taken inspiration from Downhill House, now a ruined mansion that sits atop the hill overlooking Castlerock.

Before you leave the village for your next destination, call into Bertha's Bar for a bit of sustenance, after all it's no fun enjoying such a scenic railway trip on an empty stomach.

Bellarena - This is a small rural village on the A2 Coleraine to Londonderry road, the nearest point of interest would be Magillian point and Benone Beach, which are about an hour's walk from the staion. This would be good if you have plenty of time, but there is certainly a ton more of things to keep you busy when you reach the terminus station of the line.

Londonderry - The city with two names, also shortened to Derry, was once home to four terminus stations, Waterside, Foyle Road, Graving Dock Road and Victoria Road. The one you will be arriving in is Waterside, which was recently re-instated as the terminal building, having spent the past 40 years or so as a furniture warehouse. As you are by the 'Water side' , you will need to cross over the Craigavon bridge to reach the 'City Side'.

Here you will find plenty to keep you entertained, take a walk along the walls of this city, in fact the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland. Walking around the walls is free, although you might want to enlist the services of a guide , that way you can rest assured to discover about the history of the city through the eyes of a local. Visit Derry is the local tourism site where you can get all information regarding tours etc.

There are two main museums in the town which are worth a visit, both showing a different perspective on the city. Unfortunately neither are open on a Sunday which is the point of this article, however those of you visiting on other days of the week may wish to give them a look in. The Museum of free derry is situated in the Bogside and tells the story of the civil rights movement which began there in the 1960s. The area has been no stranger to violence, with the 'Bloody Sunday' event where Paratroopers fired upon a protest and killed 13 people . The most recent killing in the area was that of the journalist Lyra Mckee, who was killed by an (new) IRA bullet whilst reporting on a riot in the Bogside.

The Siege of Derry Museum tells the story of the Siege of Londonderry in 1689.

For eating and drinking , a particular favourite of mine is Waterloo street. the beating heart of Londonderry's nightlife centre. Peadar O'Donnell's offers a laid back traditional bar, with live music on most nights. Rosie Joe's is just a few doors up and boasts more of a nightclub vibe , be sure to pack your dancing shoes if you are destined here.

I will produce a separate blog post about a day or two day in Northern Ireland's second city.

Belfast to Bangor City, also known as the Gold Coast express.

Titanic Quarter- Named after the ill fated liner that left the slipway here on the 2nd April in 1912, a short walk from the station will take you to the Titanic visitor centre, Built in 2012 and quickly became one of Northern Ireland's most visited attractions. This once derelict and abandoned area is now thriving with life and bringing the centre of gravity of Belfast closer to the River Lagan. If you fancy dining in elegance just like the 1st class passengers of the Titanic would have done, then head down to the Drawing office Two bar in the Titanic Hotel if you fancy a beverage or two, or if you want to dine in the Ireland's hotel restaurant of the year then you're in the right place. Wolff's Grill restaurant is also situated in the hotel, however due to it being very popular, it's super essential to book in advance.

If you are lucky enough to be in town on the day of an event, the SSE arena is an 11'000 capacity indoor arena which has hosted everything from Clubland Raves through to classical music, Ice hockey and The Stone Roses and everything in between.

Sydenham - Alight here if you want to go to the George Best City Airport, which moved 200 metres down the road about 20 years ago, but they didn't move the train halt, probably due to the fact that the halt mainly serves the adjacent residential area. Belmont Road is a short walk from the station where you can enjoy one of the area's many coffee shops. Smart Cafe is just at the top of 'Strandtown' and there you can enjoy a speciality coffee or one of their freshly on-site baked products. Check out the only remaining Art-Deco cinema left in Belfast, the Strand.

Holywood - Unlike it's Los Angeles homophone, this version just has one 'L' . The town is home to an array of boutique shops and coffee shops, not a high street multiple in sight. It is also home to Ireland's only maypole. These are normally found in European countries of Germanic origin, , and usually host a ' dancing around the Maypole' event every Mayday, or 1st May. It is believed that a Dutch ship ran aground in 1700, and the crew erected the broken mast to show appreciation for the help they received from the townspeople. You can indeed imbibe at the 'Maypole bar' or 'Ned's' as it is locally referred to . Here you can enjoy a choice of Guinness, Harp or Smithwicks, no fancy craft beers or cocktails! And they will even bring the drinks to your table just as in days gone by. You do have a good choice of bars in this town but my favourite has to be the Dirty Duck! situated in the Kinnegar area which is right beside the train station and the coast. With a panoramic restaurant overlooking Belfast Lough, and an outdoor beer garden, and live music every weekend, it is definitely my pick of places to eat or drink in Holywood for sure.

Marino - As you exit the station from the Bangor bound platform, you will actually exit through someone's garden. This house used to be the station but is now a private residence, and for a short time (1957 - 1960) the station was closed by the Ulster Transport Authority due to low usage, but re-opened due to a public outcry. From here you can access the Seapark, many a childhood memory spent in this park if you grew up around these parts.

It is a short walk down to the park from here, simply exit the station and a right out of the station and head down Old Quay road if you are coming from the Belfast direction, or follow this map. It is another alternative access point to the Holywood to Bangor Coastal path, which stretches for 10 miles along the North Down's coastline.

Cultra - One of the wealthiest areas of Northern Ireland, sometimes referred to a millionaire's row, even when the station was being built , one of the requirements was that it would be 'of ornamental character ' and 'at least one half of the trains' would call there , otherwise the Belfast and County Down railway would be penalised the sum of £10 a day. Although the station was closed by the loathed Ulster Transport Authority, it would re-open some years later to serve the Ulster Folk Museum and the Ulster Transport Museum. These are situated on either side of the A2 Belfast to Bangor road. You could easily spend a day in each as there is so much to see and do. If you are a railway buff or just interested in transport things in general then the Transport Museum is the place to be. Or if you want to take a step back in time and see what life was like in days gone by, cross the bridge to the Ulster Folk Museum.

Seahill - The area is a village in it's own right but has now been absorbed into the Greater Belfast conurbation . It is another great access point to the Holywood to Bangor coastal walk, and Grand Day Out have actually got a specific walk going between this station and Helen's bay, which we will get to very shortly. The station here was opened in 1966 so is very brutalist in style in comparison with the preceding Cultra, and the following Helen's Bay stations.

Helen's Bay - Built in a Scottish Baronial style, it is probably one of the fanciest railway halts on the Northern Ireland network. The townland of Helen's Bay was named after Helen Blackwood , Baroness of Dufferin and Clandeboye estate. The building inside is now used as a beauty salon, and before that was a restaurant operated by Micheal Deane. If you take the underpass from the station, exit where it says ' Helen's Bay Beach and Crawfordsburn Country Park' . Here you will discover a carriageway that was built to take the Dufferins from their Clandeboye estate to Helen's Bay train station and on to the beach. You will be able to see past the undergrowth that there is a bricked up door. This is where the Dufferins would have alighted from their horse drawn carriage to ascend to their private waiting room. If you take the short walk down to the beach, you will be able to visit Grey Point Fort, one of the best preserved coastal forts anywhere in the British Isles. It was completed in 1907 and was built to defend againts naval attack, and was of little use during the Belfast Blitz of 1941 . If you visit the area on a hot summers day you will be accompanied by lots of day trippers from Belfast, as this is one of the beaches closest to the city.

Carnalea - Another access point to the coastal path , and a chance to stop for some refreshments at Carnalea Golf Club. There are simply some amazing views to be had from the bar and restaurant here, so even if you aren't a golfer, you can sit and gaze out across Belfast lough towards Carrickfergus and Whitehead (previous stations on this list) whilst you sip on your Guinness. The train line bisects the golf course in half , so golfers must pass underneath the bridge to go between sections.

Bangor West - The Penultimate stop on the Gold Coast Bangor line, another access point to the Coastal path via Strickland's Glen. Here you can walk down by waterfalls and along the Bryan's Burn (Burn is an Ulster Scots word for small river) down to the sea.

The Bryansburn Inn offers a traditional Irish menu, as well as a bar area with a view over the lough. Call in here for a pint before you return to the station for your next destination.

Bangor - Here you have reached your destination, now a city thanks to Queen Elizabeth II , it was given city status just three months before her death, and joins 5 other cities in Northern Ireland to make a total of 6. Take a trip down to the 'seafront' and you will notice 'Queen's Parade' which was named after Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII. Once the centrepiece of the town, due to the combination of out of town shopping (The first purpose built out of town shopping centre was the Spinghill Shopping Centre, now replaced by a Tesco and Retail Park) and the building of a Marina (the largest in Northern Ireland) right where the beach and waterfront promenade used to be. In filling what could be said to be the main focus of a seaside town with rubble to build a car park is one of the main factors cited when talking about the demise of the town centre. (It is now officially a city but I will refer to it as a town as it does not feel like the former).

Having been raised in the town I was 10 years old when a 23olb IRA bomb was detonated in the main street , I remember it going off to this day, wondering what that massive bang was as I looked out my bedroom window, luckily those days are over now , but sometimes it feels like a bomb has gone off on the seafront. The rows of empty buildings await their fate, as the seafront debacle has ran on for close to 20 years.

It's not all doom and gloom though, Bangor does offer some great walks, particularly the Bangor to Holywood coastal path, also known as the North Down Coastal Path. This stretches from Holywood , past Bangor and on towards Donaghadee. One can alight at any of the stops between Bangor and Holywood and join the path should you not wish to walk it in it's entirety. It is very narrow in parts and is hard for all path users to be acommodated safely , eg dog wakers, pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people . There were plans to spend £20millon to upgrade the walkway, provide lighting to make it accessible and safe at night time , but unfortunately this was brought to a halt by a small number of 'NIMBY's (Not in my back yard) . I walked the section from Bangor to Holywood and made a video about it here.

Also an undersold point is the fact that Bangor is the finishing point for the Irish leg of the Via Columbiani, which starts at Mount Leinster in County Carlow and runs for 330 miles throughout both parts of Ireland . After Ireland it goes through 8 countries of Europe, finishing in Bobbio, Italy, Columbanus' final resting place .

Keep checking with my youtube channel as I will be adding additional locations to the collection as I work my way around the network, coming to a station near you very soon!