The Rinka in Larne

n 1921, Mr and Mrs WJ Hawkins (Snr) owned a small general store in Islandmagee - The Gobbins Stores.It was here that the soon-to-be famous Rinkha home-made ice cream recipe was conceived. In those days wooden churns were used and turned by hand - and it was very hard work!WJ Snr was a progressive man and in 1935 he also decided to build a dancehall - an ambitious project in an area as sparsely populated as Islandmagee! He even provided a substantial car park, despite the fact there were very few cars around back then. Quite a few eyebrows were raised among the local population - some people even questioned his sanity!Undeterred WJ Snr asked the local community to help name this new Islandmagee landmark and the choice was made when historian Dixon Donaldson suggested...'The Rinkha' - an Irish interpretation meaning place of dance/place of mirth.

Best ice cream around. Brought my kids for the first time since I was a kid and it was just as I remembered and they loved it too 💞

Great place have been visiting the Rhinka since the 1970s my childhood haunt best ice cream ever!!!

Great icecream there's no doubt of that. It would be nice if there were a few seats outside to eat the icecream - I guess covid has meant indoor seating has been removed? But surely as cafes are now open for indoor dining the same could be done here. I love the range of items for sale- we used to get our childrens Christmas presents here 25 years ago and love that it still has a wide range of toys in sale still. Well worth a visit.

Fabulous icecream superb range of varieties and lots of toys household items as well. A one stop shop.

Visited for the first time last week, absolutely loved it. It's one of those places that you can buy anything. You go in to buy some milk, and you come out with a sleigh full of toys.

My boyfriend had raved about the Rinkha before and how we should go and so yesterday we decided to go so I could try it! The establishment gives the feeling of an old ice cream parlour which I enjoyed and it just feels welcoming. There were about 12 flavours to choose from, all sounding great. I went for the strawberry one and the peaches and cream. Absolutely delicious the both of them! The boyfriend went for honeycomb and chocolate, and the strawberry cheesecake, which once again were really tasty. The prices were more than fair and the ice cream was creamy and really flavourful! We worth it

Great little spot for coffee. Also a good point to stop off at if you're cycling. Staff are friendly and helpful. Coffee is good.

No matter the distance, this is what home made ice cream should taste like but not only do they do that, check out the coffee and when open again all the home made deserts yum yum.I’m part of a motorcycle FB group called Biking Adventures and routes Northern Ireland or BARNI for short, this is a place we visit frequently and everyone has a smile when we leave (big old ruff tuff bikers lol) as soft as the ice cream itself.The building connects families who have visited it from kids to grandparents it’s an institution or a landmark in Islandmagee.Pick up supplies for the beach or last minute stuff for a walk or camping trip. Friendly smiles always great you and nothing is to much trouble if you ask a staff member for help.I got engaged here as it has a place in both our hearts and also now with our children, some come on folks rain or shine you have to try some mouth watering delicious delights at the famed Rinkha shop.

The home made ice cream here is beautiful. It's well worth a drive for it alone. There is beautiful beaches near by as well and cliff walks to be done. Thee are so many different flavours to enjoy here that won't let you down.