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| Causeway Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | |
|---|---|
| Name | Causeway Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty |
| Location | County Antrim and County Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| Area | 71,000 ha (approx.) |
| Established | 1988 (designation) |
| Governing body | Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust |
Causeway Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a designated landscape in County Antrim and County Londonderry noted for its coastal scenery, geological formations, and cultural sites. The area encompasses cliffs, bays, glens, and islands that have attracted scientific study, heritage protection, and tourism from institutions and organisations across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its combination of volcanic geology, maritime ecology, and historic settlements links regional narratives from prehistoric monuments to modern conservation programmes.
The designation covers parts of Binevenagh and Mussenden Temple adjacent to features such as Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Portrush, Portstewart, and Bushmills, with management drawn from bodies including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, National Trust, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and local trusts such as the Ulster Wildlife and RSPB Northern Ireland. The area lies within the historic counties referenced in works by Samuel Lewis and maps produced by the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland. Its promotional and scientific links extend to programmes led by UNESCO and research by universities such as Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.
Coastal geomorphology along the coastline displays basaltic plateau exposures similar to those studied at Giant's Causeway and in comparisons to the Antrim Plateau and Fingal's Cave on Staffa. The region incorporates headlands like Fair Head, promontories such as Benone Strand, and sea stacks near Dunluce Castle and Larne, forming part of the wider North Atlantic Igneous Province. Stratigraphy includes Paleogene basalt flows intercalated with sills and dykes examined in reports by the British Geological Survey and referenced in field guides by the Geological Society of London and the Royal Society. Coastal processes involve longshore drift affecting beaches at Portstewart Strand and dune systems comparable to those at Downhill Demesne and Murlough Nature Reserve.
Habitats range from maritime cliffs hosting seabird colonies akin to those monitored by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to peatlands comparable to Mourne Mountains upland bogs. Species inventories recorded by Biodiversity Northern Ireland and academic surveys list breeding seabirds such as Gannet and Puffin, cetaceans observed by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, and rare flora including populations of Spring gentian and Juniper. Intertidal zones support maerl beds and invertebrate assemblages similar to those studied at Strangford Lough, while estuaries connect to migratory pathways of Whooper swan and redshank monitored under agreements like the Ramsar Convention.
Archaeological features include megalithic cairns and promontory forts comparable to finds at Ballyvoile Fort and surveys linked to the Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland. Medieval and early modern history is represented by sites such as Dunluce Castle, associations with families recorded in the Annals of Ulster, and connections to maritime histories detailed in archives at Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Literary and artistic associations feature figures celebrated by the Irish Literary Revival and exhibitions at institutions like the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery. Local craft traditions and festivals reflect continuity with cultural organisations including the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Tourism infrastructure supports attractions such as guided access to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and interpretive centres at Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, alongside accommodation in Portrush and hospitality offerings promoted by VisitBritain and Discover Northern Ireland. Outdoor recreation includes sections of the Causeway Coast Way long-distance path, coastal cycling routes linked to the North Coast Cycle Route, and angling promoted through clubs affiliated with the Northern Ireland Federation of Anglers. Events draw participants to venues on the route of the Ulster Grand Prix historic road circuit and seasonal festivals promoted by Belfast Telegraph cultural listings.
Management plans integrate statutory protection under schedules administered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency with stewardship schemes supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and partnerships with the National Trust and Ulster Wildlife. Monitoring programmes reference guidelines from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and biodiversity strategies aligned with commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Community engagement involves local groups registered with Department for Communities (Northern Ireland) grant initiatives and cross-border collaborations with organisations in the Republic of Ireland.
Access to coastal sites is facilitated by road links along the A2 corridor connecting Belfast and Derry~Londonderry, rail services to Coleraine and onward coaches coordinated by regional providers such as Translink (Northern Ireland). Visitor management emphasises sustainable transport options promoted by Sustrans and parking policies enforced by local authorities including Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Maritime access for wildlife watching and research employs ports such as Portrush Harbour and marine operators licenced through agencies like the Marine Management Organisation.
Category:Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland