Where to stay in Northern Ireland

[Nomad86]

Flying to Belfast for three nights in May with DH and two young children. We'd like to stay in an Airbnb somewhere in the countryside, not a long drive from the airport (1.5 hours max) and near a village. We'd like to visit the giant's causeway and a beach if the weather is ok.

Are there any areas people can recommend?

Cushendall is nice, further towards Giant's Causeway than Belfast but it is a village townland and loads to do in the area within 1 hour. It is coastal rather than countryside but there are forest parks and woodlands not far away.

Bushmills is nice, near the causeway and close to beaches at Portrush and Portstewart. There are some lovely cafes, shops and obviously the distillery. It's about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Belfast.