Coleraine sits on the River Bann, around 10 miles north of Ballymoney, and acts as the main market town and transport hub for the Causeway Coast area. It’s home to a campus of Ulster University and sits directly on the Belfast–Derry railway line and the A26/A29 road network.
The name
Coleraine comes from the Irish Cúil Raithin, meaning “nook of the ferns” — a reference to the riverside landscape the town grew up in.
Population
Coleraine’s population was 24,483 at the 2021 census (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency), making it one of the larger towns on the Causeway Coast.
Getting there and around
Coleraine is well connected by both road and rail — it sits on the main Belfast–Derry railway line, with direct services to Portrush, Castlerock, Londonderry, and Belfast, and is reachable from Ballymoney by road via the A26. It’s a practical base for exploring the Causeway Coast: Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, and the Giant’s Causeway are all a short drive or train ride away.
What’s there
The town centre has the usual mix of shops, cafés, and restaurants you’d expect from the region’s main hub, along with recreational facilities serving both residents and visitors. Its position on the Bann and proximity to the coast make it a natural stopover for anyone touring the north coast rather than a standalone destination in itself.