About the Trail

The craggy cliffs and endless headlands of Ireland’s Causeway Coast and Glens - and their rolling green hinterlands - form the perfect furnace to forge creativity and nurture ancient skills that have been passed down the generations.

Now, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has put together the Causeway Craft Trail, a fascinating tourism route that takes you off the beaten path and into some of the hidden gems of this beautiful region, visiting artists and craftspeople in the places that inspire them and observing them at work.

Discover the skilled artisans of the region as you explore the spectacular landscapes that nurtured their art, winding your way from the rural farmscapes of Aghadowey to the endless beaches of Downhill and the renowned organ pipes of the Giant’s Causeway, discovering the wealth of creativity that has been unleashed by the stunning landscapes all around.

Visitors will discover a whole hidden world away from the well-trodden tourist routes, from traditional farm courtyards and modern studios built in renovated barns to spectacular Georgian country homes, to workshops perched in the green hills of the Causeway Coast and Glens.

And you will be spoilt for choice as you explore the works produced by some of the Causeway Coast and Glens’ most creative minds. From clean, functional tableware to Celtic-inspired jewellery and from traditional basketry incorporating the found objects of the coastline such as driftwood and pebbles, to evocative textiles spun from native breed fibres. 

Your only challenge will be to find enough time to drink in the atmosphere in all of these stunning locations and truly explore the wealth of inspirational craftwork. Who knows, you may need to extend your stay or make a return visit to one of the world’s most memorable locations!

Kick off your adventure with a visit to potter Adam Frew, who throws functional and one-off pots at his studio in a former barn in the rural landscape at Aghadowey, before heading downstream along the River Bann enroute to the seascapes of Downhill where McCall Gilifan creates a wealth of artworks in a variety of media, from ceramics and kiln fire glass to mosaic and oil paint.

Then drop in at the workshop above Castlerock where the Wilkinson family build wooden canoes and paddles at Valkyrie Craft Boatmakers, before taking a wander round the ancient town of Coleraine to be inspired by the wealth of creativity at Stone Row Artisans, a collective of talented designer-makers and artisans.

Close to Coleraine is the intriguing Blackheath Pottery, built in a converted outhouse next to Blackheath House, a Georgian country house built in 1791. Stop at the cafe, treat yourself to a homemade bake and a coffee and watch potter Babs Belshaw at work on the wheel in her studio, creating ceramic tableware in forest greens, powder pinks and duck-egg blue tones.

From there it’s a short drive to the coastal resort of Portstewart and the studio of ceramicist Fiona Shannon who creates tableware inspired by the wild Atlantic coastline, before continuing to the neighbouring resort of Portrush where basket-weavers Louise and Trevor McLean show off their mastery of traditional heritage crafts in the studio behind their home. 

The bustling seaside resort is also home to the gallery of Frankie Creith who creates mixed media works incorporating fibres, papers, paint, inks, wax, resin and all manner of media through collage, fusing, layering, and embellishment using both free machine and hand stitch.

From Portrush, head back inland to the sleepy village of Bushmills, home to the world-famous whiskey distillery and also The Designerie Collective, a social enterprise that supports more than 70 creative designer-makers on the Causeway Coast and Glens and offers unique and hand-crafted homeware and gifts. 

On the first floor of The Designerie is Makers House, a creative hub where like-minded designer makers collaborate to build a vibrant creative sector.

Drop into the Boat House Gallery at Innisfree Farm, a stone’s throw from the renowned Giant’s Causeway and home to five creative makers who work in a variety of media.

Wind your way down the precipitous roadway to the unique and seaswept Ballintoy Harbour, stopping off at Benefield Spencer Glass studio, the only artisanal glassblowing studio in Northern Ireland.

Your final port of call is Ballycastle’s Puffin Gallery, an artist-led gallery and a creative hub for the town.