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Castlerock lies on the north coast of Ireland about seven miles from our main town, Coleraine. It is a small quiet seaside resort, whose population doubles with tourists during the summer months Our Parish area boasts a fine beach and championship golf course. A relaxing area in which to boat, fish, walk, play golf or take in a game of tennis. The beautiful beach at Castlerock with dunes which back onto the golf course and attractions at nearby Downhill, offer some of the most scenic views in Northern Ireland.
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Downhill and Mussenden Temple
The landscaped estate, gardens and buildings at Downhill near Castlerock reflect the vivid personality of their creator - the flamboyant Earl Bishop, Fredrick Hervey.
Hervey, one of the most colourful characters of the eighteenth century, was both the Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol. In the early 1770's he chose the bleak headland at Downhill to build a grand country house, and surround it with a landscaped estate. The house was one of the most renowned in Ireland and it contained treasures from throughout Europe.
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It suffered a disastrous fire in 1851 which destroyed most of the contents. It was rebuilt and lived in for a period after World War II. The house now is in ruins, however its setting and architecture give more than a hint of its former glory.
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Hervey also spent a vast fortune on the grounds. He erected a Mausoleum in 1778 dedicated to the memory of his brother, the 2nd Earl, the top of which fell during a storm in 1839. He also built the Lion Gate which stands beside the remains of a double walled garden with dovecot and ice house still intact. Perched on the edge of cliffs in the most spectacular of the buildings, the Mussenden Temple. Built as a library and modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Italy it is dedicated to the memory of Hervey's cousin Frideswide Mussenden. The remnants of Hervey's extensive landscaping can be seen today in the demesne and the attractive Black Glen with its wide range of trees and shrubs.
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The property is owned by the National Trust. Both the Temple and the surrounding views are among the most photographed scenes in Ireland. The Temple is also available for private functions.
Opening hours:
1 May - 30 June Weekends 11am - 5pm
1July - 31 august Daily 11am - 5pm
2 Sep - 30 Sept Weekends 11am - 5pm
Downhill Forest has a number of enjoyable walks and rare trees through the 85 hectares of mixed commercial woodland around a beautiful lake. Two of the biggest Sitka Spruce specimens in Ireland can also be found here.
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A walk along the cliffs near the Temple gives excellent views of fulmar, black guillemot and kittiwake.
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From Ballyhackett viewing point on a clear day visitors have a panoramic view of Donegal, Mussenden Temple, Downhill, Castlerock, the mouth of the Bann, Portstewart, Portrush, and the Antrim Hills. It is a breathtaking and unforgettable vista.
Also within the parish are the viewing points at Gortmore and Ballyhackett. From Gortmore viewing point, which is on the Bishop’s Road, i.e. the narrow road leading from Downhill to Limavady, one looks out over Magilligan Point, Lough Foyle and the Innishowen Peninsula.
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 Castlerock Golf Club
The Golf Club takes its name from the seaside village in which it is situated.
The course is a fabulous links set among rolling sand dunes with scenic qualities embracing the river Bann flowing out to the Atlantic, and also eye-catching views of Donegal and on a clear day towards Scotland and the Isle of Islay - an ideal retreat in which to play golf.
Services: Tuition, Caddies, Club and Trolley hire, Golf Buggies and Carts.
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rld" i
s a very recognisable sight with it's amazing basalt columns rising from the sea and lading to the bottom of the cliff. According to legend this was the path built by Irish giant Finn McCool to enable him to fight the giant across the Irish Sea in Scotland.
Dunluce Castle