Some of our favourite beache S in n orthern i reland

We are blessed with some of the most beautiful and spectacular beaches in Europe, thanks to its rugged coastline and diverse landscape.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing day of sunbathing, a thrilling adventure of surfing, or a scenic walk along the shore, you will find a beach that suits your taste and mood. Here are some of the best.

White Park Bay

White Park Bay is a stunning beach located on the Causeway Coastal

Route, between the towns of Ballintoy and Bushmills. It is a long and wide stretch of golden sand, backed by rolling sand dunes and grasslands. The beach offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Rathlin Island, and the Scottish coast. It is also a great place to spot wildlife, such as seals, dolphins, and seabirds. White Park Bay is owned and managed by the National Trust, and has a car park, toilets, and picnic tables.

Portstewart Strand

Portstewart Strand is another National Trust property that boasts two miles of golden sand and impressive waves. The beach is popular with families, walkers, surfers, and horse-riders, and has a Blue Flag award for its water quality and facilities. The beach is also home to a variety of birds and plants, and has a nature reserve at its eastern end. Portstewart Strand has a large car park, toilets, showers, a shop, and a cafe.

Whiterocks Beach

Whiterocks Beach is a two-mile stretch of sandy beach that starts from Portrush’s East Strand and ends at the limestone cliffs of Whiterocks. The beach is famous for its surfing conditions, as well as its caves and arches that can be explored at low tide. The beach also offers stunning views of the Skerries islands and the Causeway headlands. Whiterocks Beach has an RNLI lifeguard service during the summer months, and has a car park, toilets, and a seasonal cafe.

Downhill Beach

Downhill Beach is part of one of Ireland’s longest beaches, extending for seven miles from Downhill to Magilligan Point. The beach is overlooked by one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, Mussenden Temple, which sits on top of a cliff edge. The beach is also part of a Special Area of Conservation, and has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Downhill Beach has a car park, toilets, and a seasonal cafe.

Ballygally Beach

Ballygally Beach is a small but charming beach located in the village of Ballygally, 10km north of Larne town. The beach is perfect for a short walk or a swim in the calm waters of the bay. The beach also has a children’s play area and a picnic area nearby. Ballygally Beach has a car park and toilets. These are just some of the best beaches in Northern Ireland that you can enjoy all year round. Whether you want to relax, have fun, or explore nature, you will find a beach that will make your visit memorable.

Please garden for nature & wildlife: it’s not difficult…or messy!

Despite the appearance of ours being a green and pleasant land, it is not, and our wildlife is in serious decline.

But until we change the big things, the ways that we do things, our use of chemicals, farming practices, development, how we maintain public green places, and so on, we can all help. Just to give wildlife a breathing space, some opportunity to survive, until there is widespread positive change to the processes which have caused the damage.

Some call it wildlife gardening or nature-friendly gardening. Whatever the title, it’s important, and doesn’t have to be difficult, messy or unsightly.

I have in mind a retirement community where the average age of the residents is about 80. A few years ago, they decided to make their place a haven for wildlife, and with the cooperation of their landlord have largely succeeded. It took time, and a little effort, but actions great and small, stopping the use of pesticides and herbicides, sowing wildflowers, planting native trees, making relatively small changes to mowing practices, and allowing a few places such as around the bases of trees or obscure corners to grow naturally, has resulted in flourishing wildlife.

If a bunch of oldies can do it, so can we all.

Bear in mind that these are people born in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, who grew up with the idea that all gardens must be neat and tidy, otherwise they might be regarded by neighbours as neglected, a shaming word. But with careful planning and some ingenuity, they have gardens and grounds which look pretty, and certainly not neglected, but which benefit birds, bees, butterflies and all the rest.

We can all help our wild plants and creatures to survive by doing gardening with the needs of nature in mind, and, as has been demonstrated in that retirement community, it can also be pleasing to the eye.

Want to help? These days it’s not hard to find wildlife gardening ideas and advice online or in newspapers and magazines. Ulster Wildlife’s site might be a place to start: https://www.ulsterwildlife. org/let-nature-in. When you see the insects and birds, you’ll be glad that you did.

JVA