A proper car-park viewpoint high on the Bishop's Road above Binevenagh, with the Manannán Mac Lir sea-god sculpture and big open skies over Lough Foyle — one of the easiest dark spots to reach.
Gortmore Viewpoint (Manannán Mac Lir) — A proper car-park viewpoint high on the Bishop's Road above Binevenagh, with the Manannán Mac Lir sea-god sculpture and big open skies over Lough Foyle — one of the easiest dark spots to reach.
What you'll see: A wide dark sky over Lough Foyle on clear nights, with the Milky Way possible on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Getting there: On the Bishop's Road on the Binevenagh Loop, part of the Causeway Coastal Route, above Limavady, County Londonderry. From Limavady take the Windy Hill Road (B201), then turn onto the Bishop's Road; Gortmore is about five miles on.
When to go: Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
Facilities: No toilets, café or lighting. There are picnic tables and a car park, but nothing staffed.
Cost: Free.
Good to know: Exposed and unlit at night. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone where you are. The Bishop's Road is narrow and climbs steeply, so drive it carefully in the dark.
Plan your visit
The accessible one
Most dark-sky spots make you earn the view with a hill walk. Gortmore does not. There is free on-site parking for roughly 25 vehicles and picnic facilities right at the viewpoint, so you can drive up, park, and be looking at the sky within a minute. That makes it one of the best choices on the Causeway coast for an easy family stargazing trip, or for anyone who wants dark sky without rough ground underfoot. It is still unlit at night, so bring a torch and warm layers.
Easy-access car-park viewpoint, no hike neededThe Manannán Mac Lir sea-god sculptureWide open views over Lough Foyle and towards DonegalDark skies on clear moonless nights, away from townSeasonal meteor showers overhead
Good to know before you go:
No scheduled events — it is an open viewpoint you visit freely. Plan around clear, moonless nights and the August Perseid or December Geminid meteor showers for the best chance of shooting stars over the Foyle.
Before you set off
What to bring
🔦A torch — ideally red-lightRed light lets you see the path without wrecking your night vision.
🧥More layers than you thinkYou’re standing still in the dark on a hill — it gets cold fast.
📱A star-map app & the forecastCheck the moon phase and cloud cover before you set off — a full moon washes the sky out.
🧣A flask & a blanketHalf the fun is sitting back with a hot drink while your eyes adjust.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Type
Free elevated car-park viewpoint on the Bishop's Road (dark rural sky)
What you'll see
A wide dark sky over Lough Foyle on clear nights, with the Milky Way possible on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Getting there
On the Bishop's Road on the Binevenagh Loop, part of the Causeway Coastal Route, above Limavady, County Londonderry. From Limavady take the Windy Hill Road (B201), then turn onto the Bishop's Road; Gortmore is about five miles on.
Facilities
No toilets, café or lighting. There are picnic tables and a car park, but nothing staffed.
When to go
Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
Cost
Free
Booking
No need
Good to know
Exposed and unlit at night. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone where you are. The Bishop's Road is narrow and climbs steeply, so drive it carefully in the dark.
Parking
Free on-site car park for around 25 vehicles, right at the viewpoint.
Address
Gortmore Viewpoint, Bishop's Road, near Limavady, County Londonderry
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Free
When is the best time to go?
Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
What will we actually see?
A wide dark sky over Lough Foyle on clear nights, with the Milky Way possible on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Are there any facilities?
No toilets, café or lighting. There are picnic tables and a car park, but nothing staffed.
What should we bring?
Exposed and unlit at night. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers and sturdy shoes, and tell someone where you are. The Bishop's Road is narrow and climbs steeply, so drive it carefully in the dark.
Getting there
Gortmore Viewpoint (Manannán Mac Lir) is at Gortmore Viewpoint, Bishop's Road, near Limavady, County Londonderry. On the Bishop's Road on the Binevenagh Loop, part of the Causeway Coastal Route, above Limavady, County Londonderry. From Limavady take the Windy Hill Road (B201), then turn onto the Bishop's Road; Gortmore is about five miles on. Tap below for directions.
Gortmore is one of those places where the road climbs and suddenly the whole country opens out beneath you: Lough Foyle, the hills of Donegal, the sweep of the Causeway coast. The sculpture of Manannán Mac Lir, the sea god who gave his name to the Isle of Man, stands here looking out over the water he was said to rule, part of a set of sculptures telling the old myths of the Roe Valley.
It is also refreshingly easy to enjoy. You do not climb a mountain or cross a farm in the dark. You drive up the Bishop's Road, park at the viewpoint, and step out under a big sky above the sea. On a clear, moonless night, with the towns far below, it is one of the simplest ways to stand somewhere genuinely dark on the north coast.