Carnlough Harbor – Carnlough, Northern Ireland - Atlas Obscura

Carnlough Harbor

This stone harbor was key to Carnlough's limestone industry. 

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Carnlough, a village located along the East Antrim coastline of Northern Ireland, is home to one of the most beautiful stone harbor ports in the country.

The stone harbor as seen in Carnlough today was first constructed in 1854 by the Marquess Marchioness of Londonderry. It was designed to help develop the limestone export trade from the nearby Gortin Road Quarry. Eventually, a railway between the quarry and the harbor was created. 

The harbor area is now frequented by tourists for the magnificent views of the Irish Sea and Carnlough Village. There are also boat tours to the Maiden Lighthouses near Larne Town. The harbor was even featured on the hit television show, Game Of Thrones.

Each year, the harbor also hosts the New Year’s Dip, where local residents dress up and jump into the waters to raise money for local charities.

Know Before You Go

From Larne Town take the Coast Road and drive for 20-25 minutes until you reach the coastal village of Carnlough. There, you can park your vehicle alongside the harbor area.


Alternatively, you can take the 162 Ulster bus service from the Larne Town Bus Station to Carnlough, but this will add more travel time due to the number of stops along the route.

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