The quiet Northern Irish town finally getting its moment in the spotlight

"In winter, when the winds blow icily and crowds are nowhere to be seen, it's stunningly beautiful. In fact, if you stand at the tip of the harbour arm - the outlook a blur of sky and sea - Portrush can feel like the blustery end of the world. Some call it "the Brighton of the North," but this County Antrim seaside town on the north coast of Northern Ireland is much more scenic, with its mile-long peninsula and vast sandy beaches."

""The food is so much better here now," Rogers says. "Just before Covid, Northern Ireland Tourism framed their campaign for that year around food and drink, and it was then that you could see the standard starting to rise - the smallest cafe became aware that it had to be right up there in order for them to attract custom.""

Portrush is a County Antrim seaside town with a mile-long peninsula, expansive sandy beaches and dramatic harbour-arm views. The town grew from a fishing village into a popular 19th-century resort after an 1893 tramway link improved access to the Giant's Causeway. Portrush experienced mixed fortunes through the 20th century but regained prominence by 2025 as its food and drink scene rose in quality following a pre-Covid tourism focus. Personalised trips and visitors seeking authentic Northern Ireland experiences have helped create a more year-round industry alongside attractions such as the world-class Royal Portrush golf course, founded in 1888.

Read at CN Traveller