I am always amazed by the information people give to posts here!
I have travelled most of Ireland on 4 trips, but have never explored north of Dublin on the east coast or north of Achill / Castlebar / Westport on the west coast.
I have never been to the country of Northern Ireland and hear it has an amazing coast.

My sister-in-law and I are planning a road trip for 7 nights with a car, leaving Dublin 9/24 and returning to Dublin on 10/2 before flying out on 10/3.

I am a photographer and would like to explore the coastal towns looking for scenic landscapes to photograph.
I prefer to avoid cities when I travel but I am open to suggestions for interesting experiences.

Your recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

Ballintoy harbour is the best for pictures when the sea is choppy. It was amazing seeing those waves hit. Portrush and Portstewart are not large and very nice also. One time it was so clear we could see Scotland. I would take the bus from the airport and then rent in Belfast.

Pretty seaport villages of Glenarm, Carnlough Cushendun, Cushendall, then Ballycastle which you pass while travelling on the magnificent Antrim Coast Road which parallels the sea all the way round with magnificent views of the nine Glens of Antrim, which were carved out during the ice age.
Also worth doing is the cliff walk from Ballycastle to the Giant's Causeway which is lined with the ruins of ancient castles. A photographer's dream.

Many of the small towns along the Antrim Coast are worth stopping to explore, as are the Glens which drop down to the coast. Each is different. The Waterfalls walk in Glenariff is one of the best short walks in Northern Ireland.

Take the scenic Torr Head and Murlough Bay Road between Ballycastle and Cushendun rather than the A2. Allow plenty of time as the road is narrow with bends and steep gradients, but the views are worth it. Do the detour up to Torr Head and also Murlough Bay.

Don't miss Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge...

Plan your visit to Giant's Causeway for low tide, when all the stones are exposed. It isn't as impressive at high tide. If time allows do the walk that takes you up onto the cliffs above the causeway. There are super views down onto the Causeway with visitors scurrying around below like ants. You can drop back down past an outcrop called the Organ pipes and walk back to the Causeway.

If you are interested in Social History, you may enjoy the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh. This is made up of three parts. The reconstructed Ulster cottages, the conditions on the ships that carried people to America and the sorts of houses they built and lived in when they arrived. There are costumed interpreters who tell you the history of the families who lived in the different buildings and what life was like for them. It could take several weeks to cross the Atlantic and families had a 6'x6' sleeping and living are and had to supply all their food. There was no guarantee where they would land - it all depended on the winds... Conditions were tough once they landed and had to establish a new life in very different conditions and growing very different crops. This is a fascination place and you could easily spend a whole day here.

There is also the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum near Belfast which has reconstructed farms, town houses and shops from 100 years ago.

Very interesting ideas. I am going on a Roads Scholar tour from Shannon to Dublin and then will spend a week in Northern Ireland.