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EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland

Kilrea

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Kilrea

Kilrea works well as a base: 15 minutes from Garvagh, 23km from The Dark Hedges.

Kilrea is a town located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. With a population of 1,616, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Kilrea sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Kilrea to your route.

About Kilrea

Kilrea ( kil-RAY, from Irish Cill Ria, meaning 'church on the hill') is a village, townland and civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It gets its name from the ancient church that stood near the current Church of Ireland on Church Street, overlooking the town. It is near the River Bann, which marks the

Read more boundary between County Londonderry and County Antrim. In the 2011 Census, it had a population of 1,678. It is situated within Causeway Coast and Glens district.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Kilrea

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Kilrea?

Kilrea offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Kilrea?

Plan your road trip to Kilrea with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Kilrea as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Kilrea located?

Kilrea is located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.9509 latitude, -6.5569 longitude.

What is the population of Kilrea?

Kilrea has a population of approximately 1,616 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
1,616
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Northern Ireland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.9509, -6.5569

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern IrelandTown

Worth the detour from Kilrea

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

famous road

The Dark Hedges

An eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.

23 km · about 25 min drive

restaurant

Harry's Shack

Driftwood-styled National Trust beach hut turned serious seafood restaurant on the sand of Portstewart Strand, plating fish from local boats yards from the surf. Open year-round; you can park on the beach itself.

27 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Bushmills Distillery

The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, producing Irish whiskey since 1608 on the Antrim coast near the Giant's Causeway.

28 km · about 35 min drive

castle

Dunluce Castle

Dramatic ruined medieval castle perched on the edge of a basalt cliff with a cave underneath, partly inspired Castle Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.

29 km · about 35 min drive

photogenic

Mussenden Temple

Domed 1785 rotunda perched on a 36m cliff edge above the seven-mile strand of Downhill, built by the eccentric Earl-Bishop as a library. Part of the Downhill Demesne ruins; trains pass through the cliff directly beneath it.

29 km · about 35 min drive

museum

Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience

Award-winning visitor centre interpreting the geology and legends of the Giant's Causeway through immersive exhibitions.

32 km · about 35 min drive

coastal drive

Causeway Coastal Route

Northern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.

32 km · about 35 min drive

landmark

Giant's Causeway

Extraordinary formation of roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption.

32 km · about 35 min drive

Driving roads near Kilrea

  • 23 kmThe Dark HedgesAn eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
  • 32 kmCauseway Coastal RouteNorthern Ireland's stunning coastal drive from Belfast to Derry passing the Giant's Causeway and dramatic Antrim cliffs.
  • 35 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
  • 41 kmTorr Head Scenic RouteWhite-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.
  • 42 kmTorr Head Coast RoadA steep single-track detour off the Causeway Coastal Route in Antrim, with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.
  • 51 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Kilrea.

Garvagh

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,372

Portglenone

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 1,230

Dunloy

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 1,091

Ballymoney

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 9,625

Maghera

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 4,085

Cullybackey

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

15 km awayPop. 2,502

Ahoghill

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

15 km awayPop. 3,633

Bellaghy

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

16 km awayPop. 1,072

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence