Hidden Gem: Whiterock, Northern Ireland

By Austyn Close

Never before has having access to outdoor space been such a luxury. Whiterock – an area roughly defined by its string of islands and islets in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough – is truly a gem on the doorsteps of residents that live nearby. 

Whiterock offers panoramic views of the coastline with scenic walking trails that stretch around the primary island and along the main land mass. Connected by a singular road, the island only has a few residents living on it, making it a secluded hideaway. 

Most days, you can find local visitors and residents strolling the perimeter of the island, taking in the roaring hills and points of interest cast off in the distance. During the peak of lockdown, you would find me walking my dog right around the island and the local sailing club to get my exercise for the day in (much to my dog’s distress!)

Apart from the scenic vistas, Whiterock’s most significant draw is perhaps its resident coffee shop and restaurant which serves up a range of treats and meals all day long to comfort visitors. With picnic tables and outdoor seating areas, this very remote spot in the depths of Northern Ireland’s coastline was kept busy by locals who wanted their coffee fix as well as their dose of natural beauty. 

While not a destination high up on the tourist hotspots for Northern Ireland, Whiterock is well and truly worthy of being a hidden gem for its rustic charm and its discreet, uninterrupted way of life.