With over 120 miles of coastline along the Causeway Coastal Route there is a plethora of spectacular attractions including ’s only World Heritage Site at the Giant’s Causeway. For more information visit:

ccght.org ccralive.com discovernorthernireland.com/causeway causewaycoastandglens.com

THE DARK HEDGES

designby James Stuart built surrounding the house House in has a royal heritage c.1775 and named it after dating back to the early his wife, Grace Lynd. The 17th century. family planted an avenue King James I granted of over 150 beech trees the land to a cousin who along the entrance to the drowned on his way to Georgian estate. It was Ireland before he could intended as a compelling take possession of his landscape feature to new home. impress visitors as they The estate then passed approached Gracehill to his grandson, William House. Today this unique, Stuart, and remained tranquil and spellbinding in the Stuart family for tunnel of ancient many years. beech trees stretches The house and immediate along the Bregagh grounds are now privately Road, intertwining and owned with some of the entangling to create a estate developed into a spectacular fusion of popular 18 hole parkland light and shadow. golf course and The The large estate Hedges Hotel. GRACEHILL HOUSE

*Private property Photo: CCGHT THE GREY LADY

Two centuries later, the A favourite local ghost daughter of James ethereal tunnel remains story features the grey Stuart, referred to in a magnificent sight and lady, a spectre that glides some genealogy lists as has become known as The along the Bregagh Road, ‘Cross Peggy’, others Dark Hedges, one of the sashaying between the believe that she is a most photographed natural gnarled trees. lost spirit from an old, phenomena in Northern She vanishes from sight deserted graveyard that Ireland and a popular when she passes the last is thought to lie hidden attraction for tourists from tree. in the fields nearby. across the world. With its Whilst some local On Halloween night, the mysterious and spectacular people believe she is forgotten graves are said play of light and tranquillity the ghost of a maid to open and the Grey the site has inspired visiting from the nearby house Lady is joined on her artists and photographers. who died in mysterious walk by the tormented Antrim-born composer circumstances centuries souls of those who were Elaine Agnew premiered ago, or perhaps the buried beside her. her compelling Dark Hedges composition at the BBC Proms in 2012.

Photo: Matthew Woodhouse THE TREE SURVEY KINGS On behalf of The Dark Hedges Preservation Trust, the ROAD Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust commissioned a tree survey of the area in 2014. Ninety-four Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) were More recently surveyed and recorded. Their age ranged from mature The Dark Hedges avenue has been to post mature which is estimated to be about 300 to featured as The 350 years. The life span of a typical Fagus sylvatica L. Kings Road in would be about 150-200 years. the epic HBO Some of the trees at the site reach upwards by over series, Game of 28 metres and across, becoming heavily entwined with Thrones®. each other with a crown spread of over 30 metres to create the iconic dark hedges tree tunnel.

Photo: Uel Gordon 2011 HBO ‘GAME OF THRONES’

ON LOCATION AT DARK HEDGES 2000 FIVE TIMES WORLD FORMULA 1 CHAMPION, JOEY

DUNLOP WAS KILLED WHILE RACING IN ESTONIA 1986 GIANTS CAUSEWAY DECLARED A

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE 1969 AMERICAN NEIL ARMSTRONG WALKS ON THE MOON 1939 WORLD WAR II BEGINS 1914 WORLD WAR I BEGINS 1912 THE TITANIC SINKS ON HER MAIDEN VOYAGE 1898 MARCONI TRANSMITS THE FIRST RADIO SIGNALS FROM RATHLIN TO BALLYCASTLE 1890 GRACEHILL RAILWAY STATION OPENS 1888 QUEEN VICTORIA AWARDS CITY STATUS 1845 THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE BEGINS 1834 FIRST COMMERCIAL RAILWAY IN IRELAND OPENS 1801 KINGDOMS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND UNITE C.1775 GRACEHILL HOUSE BUILT/DARK HEDGES PLANTED THE DARK HEDGES HOW TO GET THERE PRESERVATION TRUST PARKING In 2004 the Department trees it is also their From the main Belfast to There are coach/car parking and of the Environment (NI) intention to preserve Coleraine road (A26) toilet facilities available at the Planning Service placed a an area of significant In take the Hedges Hotel - a two minute Tree Preservation Order cultural importance B147 Kirk Road (Signposted walk from the Dark Hedges. on the Dark Hedges. and communicate an /Gracehill Golf The Order is intended to understanding of the Club/); SAFETY ensure the preservation value of the trees and • Keep on B147 (through The Bregagh and the Ballinlea of the trees while their significance to the village of Stranocum) for roads are public roads and allowing work to be local community. approx 7 to 8 Miles; therefore pedestrians should undertaken to safeguard With the help of Heritage • Bregagh Road is on right be aware of traffic travelling in road users. Lottery Funding The Dark before reaching Gracehill both directions. The Dark Hedges Hedges Preservation Golf Club Avoid walking or driving under Preservation Trust was Trust has four aims - to the trees on windy days. set up in 2009 to preserve conserve and enhance the From the North Coast The Dark Hedges is a and enhance the ancient Dark Hedges, utilise the If you are driving from the North picturesque site and therefore trees, prominent in the hedges as a learning tool Coast direction travelling south it is important that visitors landscape on the Bregagh and improve and develop to Ballymoney, Stranocum is leave no trace in terms of litter Road in Stranocum. interpretation around the between and Armoy. or damage to the trees. In preserving the hedges.