If you love whiskey, then a trip to Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland is like receiving a call from the mothership to come home. What choice do you have? You simply must go. But when you arrive and realize you’re a long way from home, and that despite your best attempts, you cannot survive on uisce beatha alone, you may be wondering what to do next. Well, for a small village in Northern Ireland that boasts a teeny population of only 1,275 people, surprisingly, a lot. She may be wee, but she is mighty. So, here’s what to do in Bushmills, Ireland.
Bushmills Inn – Legendary Irish Hospitality
Where you lay your head down at the end of a long travel day matters. We all want a soft landing space to conclude a busy day, but entering into the front entrance of Bushmills Inn is like coming home to your ma and getting a warm hug. From the roaring fireplace in the lobby to the snugs in the pub, Bushmills Inn delivers from bed to bar rail and everything in between and makes for the perfect jumping off point to explore the village of Bushmills and the broader Causeway Coastal Route area.
It’s worth noting that Bushmills Inn has been around since the 1600s. Simply put, this is not your typical hotel stay. There is something quite special about visiting a place that has hosted travellers for over 400 years; the feeling of moving through history while simultaneously being a part of it is profound. Typically, I bolt from my hotel to explore the area I’m visiting, but at Bushmills I found myself wishing I had more time to soak it all in.
What to See in the Village of Bushmills
The Village of Bushmills
The village itself is not very large and can easily be explored in a day. The main street has plenty of shops to linger in while you seek out that perfect Ireland memento, and of course historic buildings abound.
Bushmills Distillery – The Mothership
Look man, I’m just starting this journey. My palate has spent years with tequila and pinot, so my wee whiskey tastebuds are still growing and maturing but here’s what I can tell you. It’s good. Thank you, I will be taking no further questions at this time.
I kid. Even if you don’t drink, Bushmills Distillery is a very cool place to visit. How many businesses do you know that have survived since 1608? Distillery experiences start at £15, and can take from 1 to 2.5 hours to complete depending on what you choose. If whiskey is foreign to you, then this is the perfect place to get acquainted with it. Added bonus, you can walk back to your hotel.
What to Do Around Bushmills
One of the things I loved most about visiting Ireland is that you could drop a pin pretty much anywhere in the country and spend countless days exploring that area. There is not a square acre of Ireland that isn’t filled with legendary stories and views. Bushmills is a perfect example of this. Within an hour’s drive, you can visit a number of jaw-dropping destinations.
Giant’s Causeway
There are three possible explanations for the formation of the awe inducing Giant’s Causeway – mythical, spiritual, or scientific. Which version you choose to ascribe to is totally up to you but what’s not up for debate is how breathtaking this UNESCO world heritage site is.
It’s not hard to feel like a small speck in the universe as you traverse the black basalt columns overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and your brain will hurt as you do mental gymnastics trying to understand how 40,000 perfect hexagonal columns formed on the sea coast. So here’s my advice; instead of trying to understand it, feel it. Stand on the columns and let the salt air wash over you. Linger in the moment knowing that no matter if you believe in giant, god, or geek, you are one lucky human to be there.
It goes without saying that Giant’s Causeway is a incredibly popular tourist destination so do be mindful of others. If you’d like to avoid crowds, then I highly recommend arranging your visit for a Sunday morning when it first opens. We visited in April and as the first group out of the day, we practically had the place to ourselves.
Finally, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, set some time aside to wander about the visitor’s centre; it’s spectacular. Here you’ll find exhibits that further define and explain the three different ways the columns may have been formed, but more importantly, the gift shop is curated with incredible Irish items to take home. Tragically, I left the most beautiful Irish sweater I’ve ever seen behind as our group was rushing out the door, and frankly, I still haven’t gotten over it.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is an excellent reminder that as a species we’ve become rather spoiled. In 2024, we now classify this experience as “soft adventure”, in 1755 it was a way to for fishermen to get to and from work daily. We are not the same. I humour myself occasionally thinking I could have made a go of it back in the day, but I know somewhere my ancestors are having a real good laugh about that.
This is a must-do attraction and can easily be done the same day you visit the Giant’s Causeway. The bridge looks and can even feel a little scary, but consider this, the Carrick-A-Rede bridge is coming up on 99,000 days without an accident, which is a) probably the best workplace record ever and b) makes it’s safe for you to cross too.
Be sure to get pictures of yourself crossing the bridge and on the island the bridge leads you to, but also be sure to get this classic shot.
Dunluce Castle
Perched high on a basalt outcropping, Dunluce Castle dates back to the 13th century, which begs the question, why can’t my garden shed last more than a few years? No really, they don’t build ’em like they used to.
Located only six minutes from Bushmills Inn, don’t miss your opportunity to check out this historic castle with a complex past.
The Dark Hedges
Maybe you’ve heard of a little series called Game of Thrones? If so, you no doubt remember these infamous beech trees that are at once creepy and spectacularly beautiful. Located a short 17 minute drive from Bushmills Inn this is worth the visit, even though sadly some of the trees were damaged in a recent storm.
Where to Eat in Bushmills
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Ireland’s food scene is on fire. Every stereotype and expectation I had of boring meat and potatoes has been tossed out the window. Each meal I had from Westport to Belfast was stellar, and Bushmills was no exception.
You can’t go wrong having a couple of meals at the Bushmills Inn, but to really embrace the food scene, you need to book a tour.
Causeway Coast Foodie Tours
Wendy Gallagher, the founder of Causeway Coast Foodie Tours, has spent years cultivating strong relationships with farmers, shop owners, and restaurateurs. She has meticulously curated the best of the best, so all the hard work of filtering through reviews has been done for you. Perhaps the best part though, is that when you arrive with Wendy, you’re welcomed as an old friend, akin to a local returning home.
Our day started where all food tours should, at the source. Galbraith Bros. in Coleraine, was our first stop and our group of city slickers was gobsmacked by the size of the produce grown on this small farm.
From there we headed to Broughgammon Farms in Ballycastle, a small environmental paradise. Founded in 2011, the Cole family has been lovingly creating a biodiverse farm with sustainability at the forefront ever since.
As tempting as it might be to fill up on the generous samples offered at both Galbraith’s and Broughgammon, trust me when I say to save some room. The next part of the tour showcases how locally grown produce and game come together for a gourmet experience. In Bushmills, our first stop was Market Square. Whether you visit here with Wendy or on your own, this is a spot you shouldn’t miss. Everything about this meal lives in my head rent-free. And if it weren’t considered inappropriate, I would have definitely licked my plate. Damn etiquette.
From here, you can give your stomach a brief rest with a tour of Bushmills Distillery. While correlation does not necessarily imply causation, my unscientific assessment suggests that whiskey builds an appetite. You’ll want to fully recover before the day’s final stop at Tartine at Distillers Arms. Chef Gary Stewart’s restaurant is inviting and cozy with a touch of luxury, but the real star of the show is what’s on your plate.
In Bushmills, every corner you turn holds a new adventure, whether it’s the warm hospitality of Bushmills Inn, the stunning natural wonders like Giant’s Causeway, or the rich history found at Dunluce Castle. The village’s charm extends beyond its famous whiskey, inviting you to explore its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. With its blend of history, nature, and modern comforts, Bushmills is a journey back in time with all the luxuries of the present. So, come for the whiskey, but stay for everything else this enchanting village has to offer.
Hey there, you’re so close to Derry! Don’t miss what you can do here in a day!
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