Overview
The cliffs here are striped. A band of pale Antrim limestone sits under a darker cap of basalt, and that black-and-white layering is why the stretch picked up the name ‘Magpie Coast’. Garron Point is the blunt headland where the Antrim Coast Road swings round between Carnlough, 7 km to the south, and the glens to the north. It is part of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and on a clear day you can see right across the North Channel to Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre and the round hump of Ailsa Craig.
It is free, with a small car park, picnic tables and a short path down to the water. That is the whole of it. The draw is the view and the geology, not facilities, so come for an hour rather than an afternoon.
History and background
The name comes from the Irish Gearr Rinn, ‘short headland’. The poet Moira O’Neill, writing in the early 20th century, called it ‘the long blue head of Garron from the sea’, which catches the silhouette better than most. Above the cliffs lies the Garron Plateau, an Area of Special Scientific Interest and the largest stretch of blanket bog in Northern Ireland.
A modest memorial stone to Robert McKay, a local figure, stands near the car park.
The view
From the headland the eye runs to the Mull of Kintyre, the Ayrshire coast and Ailsa Craig out in the channel; turn south and the coastline tracks back towards Glenarm, Larne and Islandmagee. The light shifts constantly off the water, which is why photographers keep returning. If you have to choose one thing to do here, it is simply to stand and look.
The walk to the shore
A short, easy path leads from the car park down to the rocks, where anglers often fish. It is fine for families, and a likely spot for seabirds; razorbill, guillemot and kittiwake nest on the cliffs, and in spring and early summer dolphins sometimes pass offshore. In summer, local sellers occasionally set out dulse, the dried salty seaweed, near the point.
The plateau itself is not formally open to the public, so the bog stays a backdrop rather than a destination.
Walking and cycling
Garron Point is a common pause on the Causeway Coastal Route (A2) for drivers and cyclists alike. The shore path links into the longer Antrim Coast Way, so walkers can carry on north towards Cushendall or south towards Glenarm. The route is well signposted and gentle enough for casual walkers.
Nearby
Within a few kilometres you have Carnlough Harbour, the 1.5 km strand at Carnlough, the Straidkilly walk and the heritage display in Carnlough Town Hall.
Practical information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 87 Garron Road, Carnlough, County Antrim BT44 0JS |
| Coordinates | 55.04429 N, 5.9645 W |
| Opening hours | Open all year round – full public access |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | On-site car park (free, though occasional local charges may apply) |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, short coastal walk, dog-friendly by arrangement |
| Contact | +44 (0) 28 9335 8222 |
| Website | Discover Northern Ireland – Garron Point |
Getting there
From Belfast, take the Causeway Coastal Route (A2) north through Ballygally and Glenarm to Carnlough, then turn onto Garron Road; the car park is signposted just off the main road. The car park and picnic area are level and fine for wheelchair users, though the ground near the cliff edge is uneven. Dogs are welcome if arranged in advance.
The dulse sellers and the busiest fishing both belong to summer; out of season you are likely to have the headland to yourself.