Portrush, Northern Ireland

Portrush is a seaside town on the north coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, sitting on a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the famous Causeway Coast and is close to attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Portrush developed into a popular holiday resort during the 19th century, particularly after the railway arrived in 1855. The railway made it much easier for people from Belfast and other parts of Ireland to reach the North Coast, helping tourism grow rapidly.

For generations of Northern Irish families, Portrush was the holiday destination. Before cheap flights and affordable package holidays became common, travelling abroad simply wasn’t realistic for many working families. A week in Portrush, a caravan on the North Coast or even a day trip could provide the summer holiday.

The attractions were simple but effective: the beaches, Barry’s Amusements, the arcades, fish and chips, ice cream, the harbour and the promenade. Families would return year after year, and many children who holidayed there went on to take their own children. We had many family holidays here in the eighties and nineties and even better for me, my parents moved here in the noughties (2000s) for a few years so it became our base for seeing family. I felt spoiled and still do, to be able to visit this fantastic holiday town and use it as a base to discover the north coast, which in my biased opinion, has the best coastline in Ireland! I have included a link here to showcase one of the many stunning locations on the north coast.

Today, Portrush attracts visitors from much further afield, helped by Royal Portrush hosting major international golf events including The Open Championship. However, for many people from Northern Ireland, Portrush remains strongly associated with the traditional family holiday. My parents now have a caravan here so it has become the perfect place to get away from everything and soak up the coastal atmosphere.

It might not have been Spain, France or Portugal, but for generations of families, Portrush was where you went on holiday, and actually still is for many. Please do let me know if you have ever been here or maybe planning on the future.