Islandmagee Short Walk – Revised Arrangements for 10/1/2020

NB: Since the walk notice was posted on the U3A website, it has been ascertained that the Gobbins Upper Path will be closed for the whole of January 2020 due to essential maintenance work.  While the meeting point and time remain unchanged, the walk itself will be at Brown’s Bay.

SHORT WALK – c3 miles.  The walk will take c3 hours, including a lunch break.

LEADER: Robert McDowell, Tel No 028 93373084 or 07711 706022 (mobile).

MEETING POINT/TIME:  Ballycarry Railway Station at 10.34 am (train users) OR

Gobbins Centre, Middle Road, Islandmagee at 11 am (car users).

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

Outward Journey:

Train – Dep Carrickfergus 10.20 am, arr Ballycarry 10.34 am.

Return Journey:

Train – Dep Ballycarry 2.10 pm, dep Whitehead 2.14 pm, arr C’fergus 2.23 pm.

BY CAR:

The Gobbins Centre, Islandmagee is c18 miles from Belfast city centre and c8 miles from Carrickfergus.  From Belfast city centre, take the M2 motorway north, then the M5 motorway, the Shore Road through Whiteabbey, Greenisland, Carrickfergus and Eden.  Pass the turnoff to Whitehead and the first turnoff to Islandmagee (B150) – the “Bentra” restaurant is at the corner.  Take the next turnoff on the right hand side onto Island Road Lower, signposted “Islandmagee” (B90).  The road crosses Larne Lough.  At the roundabout, go straight on and at the ‘T’ junction (the Rinkha shop is right in front of you), turn left onto Middle Road.  The Gobbins Centre is c400 yards on the left hand side where there are plenty of parking spaces. Arrangements have been made to transport public transport users from the Gobbins Centre to the start of the walk at Brown’s Bay and also to Whitehead Golf Club for lunch. There is adequate parking space at Brown’s Bay and at the golf club.

THE WALK:

The walk from Ballycarry railway station to the Gobbins Centre is c0.75 miles. The walk around Brown’s Bay will commence at 11.15 am at Brown’s Bay car park.  It will be a c2 miles circular walk via Brown’s Bay Road and Quarterlands Road.  It is on footpaths for most of the way with a short stretch on a quiet road.  It is well surfaced with a slight incline. 

LUNCH:

We will have lunch at c1 pm at Whitehead Golf Club, McCrea’s Brae, Whitehead.  Thereafter, public transport users will be provided with lifts to Ballycarry or Whitehead railway stations, as preferred.