The Glens is an area of unsurpassed beauty, a unique fusion of tangible heritage and magnificent scenery.

This is an area of outstanding natural beauty where breathtaking and rugged coastline merges into the romantic landscape of deep silent glens and lush forest parks. Beautiful beaches beckon, rivers wander through unspoilt lowlands and picturesque villages sit comfortably next to busy shopping towns.

This is an area of tranquil forests and dancing waterfalls, dramatic castles and mysterious ruins, spectacular country parks and endless visitor attractions.

The world famous Giant's Causeway with its array of hexagonal basalt columns and tales of ancient Irish giants, and 'Old Bushmills', the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, are just two attractions which are a must for every itinerary.

Each of the nine green valleys has a character of its own. Together they form a beautiful realm of rivers, waterfalls, wild flowers and birds.

But 150 years ago, the remoteness of the Glens was daunting.

Rushing rivers bisected the land from west to east and the inland track from Cushendun to Ballycastle crossed Loughareema, "the vanishing lake". One day it was empty, the next day it was full of water!

It was not unknown for coach horses to gallop into this watery grave, taking the passengers with them.

Physical isolation and intimacy with elemental beauty have left the Glens with a great store of Irish myth and legend.

For the most part, the people are the descendants of both the ancient Irish and their cousins, the Hebridean Scots across the narrow Sea of Moyle, and the Glens were one of the last places in Northern Ireland where Gaelic was spoken.

The Nine Glens of Antrim, from south to north, and their popular translations are:

In legend, Taisie was a princess of Rathlin Island.

Glen folk are great storytellers. They will tell you that the main haunts of the ‘wee folk’ – the ‘gentle’ (supernatural) places – are Lurigethan mountain and Tiveragh Hill. Mischievous creatures at the best of times, the fairies are said to take devastating revenge on anyone rash enough to cut down a fairy thorn.

The biggest annual event is the Oul’ Lammas Fair. In the old days, it lasted a week when there was plenty of match-making as well as horse racing. Today the fun is packed into two hectic days at the end of August.

The marine drive north from Larne, and then west past the Giant’s Causeway to the resort of Portrush, follows 60 miles of the most beautiful coast you can imagine.

The first 28 miles were blasted out from the chalky cliffs in 1834. Soon after, when the road was opened right round to Ballycastle, all nine glens suddenly became accessible and the farmers could get to market. The road passes by the foot of each of each of the glens. If you resist the temptation to turn inland, and stay instead with the road and the sea breezes, a splendid marine drive lies ahead.

Each of the coastal villages has a distinctive character. The castle at Glenarm is the home of the Earls of Antrim, and Carnlough has a famous inn which was once owned by Winston Churchill. The red curfew tower in the middle of Cushendall was built in 1809 as a ‘place of confinement for idlers and rioters’, and the National Trust village of Cushendun has pretty Cornish cottages and a beautiful beach.

The road runs under bridges and arches, passing bays, sandy rock formations. As you turn Ulster’s top right hand corner, the green crescent of Murlough Bay comes into sight before the climb of Fair Head, and a bird’s eye view of Rathlin Island.

From one of these harbours, it’s said sorrowful Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach embarked for Scotland to escape the wrath of King Conor.

But craic is what the local inhabitants are famous for. The lively wit and spontaneous humour that you will encounter wherever you go ensures that there's always a smile of welcome and a friendly nod to make you feel at home. In short, this is a region that offers something for everybody. It is a land where legends come alive to give you the holiday of a lifetime.

Go on, discover the magic for yourself because famed in legend and song each glen has its own distinct character and charm but all remain unspoilt and unexploited...

It's a journey not to be hurried. Every twist and turn in the road will reveal new sights...