European Adventure 2025 | Portrush Northern Ireland | GCP by Nicole
We packed up a smaller suitcase (such a nice change ) and headed up to Portrush to share an Airbnb (linked our home because it was perfect for our two families and an amazing location) with our friends for a few days.
On the way up the boys dropped Caleigh and I off at Shean’s Horse Farm in Balleymoney to go on a 2 hour horseback riding adventure. It was nestled into the side of Slieveanorra mountain.
After we were given our trusty steeds – Jack and Josie – and we headed out. Everything was so lush and green and it was a gorgeous hack. We went up and down banks, through some water and cantered up the side of the mountain. And plenty of walk breaks in-between to catch our breath. I just love that this is something that just Caleigh and I can do together on vacations.
The horses were great and so well cared for. There was also an option for a 1/2 day beach ride that looked so fun, but we didn’t have enough time to fit that into our day. Add it to the list for our next visit though!
While Caleigh and I were living our best lives the boys headed down the road a bit to check out the “Dark Hedges”. I had come across pictures of it before we left and it looked so cool that I added it to our to do list with our friends. It was also used in some scenes from Game Of Thrones too. Our friends all warned us that it wasn’t kept up like it used to be and probably didn’t look like what I saw online. So it was up to the boys to recon and see if it was worth all of us stopping again after our ride since it was so close to the barn.
Mike said it was pretty cool to see and they did take some pictures there, but between it not being what I thought it would be and our stomaches rumbling we decided to push on to Portrush and the other kids were now officially done with school and headed up there as well.
After a little unpacking our things we decided to head straight into town to take advantage of the sunshine and shops before they started closing up. We had been in Portrush two years ago, but just for a quick lunch and it is the quintessential beach town. Every shop you can think of, beaches, piers, marinas, restaurants, bars, etc. It is a very popular place for Hen parties too.
They also have a little amusement park right next to the water that the kids couldn’t get to fast enough. The kids had so much fun riding all of the rides and playing a few games. We then headed out to do some shopping before dinner.
And ended our evening with some shelling while the tide was still out.
Up next was one of my favorite days in Northern Ireland!
