Dublin to Portrush suggestions?

Paula Jane · Member

Dublin to Portrush suggestions?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Paula,

Welcome to my forum! I am delighted that you found it and my website. What time of year will you be in Ireland?

Michele

Paula Jane · Member

Hi. we will be flying into Dublin Sept 2 after 12 days in Great Britian. (3 Edinburgh, 9 in England) My husband and i will be meeting up with my another couple for the 9 day Ireland leg of this trip.
We have a deposit in place for (whats looks like) a real nifty cottage in Portumna.
Our Ireland itinerary vaguely looks like this:

Sept 2,3 Dublin - experience Dublin environs. Schoolhouse hotel accom.
Sept 4 -rent car and drive Dublin to Portrush (or poss. Crockatinney Guest house, in Ballintoy-reccommendation from your site)
Sept 5 -visit Londonderry (again some genealogy) 2 hours there and on to Omagh to the Ulster American Folk Park (there is a Appalachian bluegrass music fest on this wkend) 2 or 3 hours here and on to accommodation, possibly Smuggers Inn in Rossnowlagh.
Sept 6 -travel to south in the direction of Portumna. (via Sligo?)
Sept 7, 8, 9, 10 touring the lower portion of the island to include Dingle, Cashel, Galway and ?
plans currently to overnight in Shannon Sept. 10th as our flight home leaves 6 am the 11th.

The later half of our trip is thus far loosely based, as my brother (the other couple) has been to Ireland once before, and we didn't want to plan every waking moment. We are all totally open to any and all suggestions. Of the four of us, only one has been to Ireland prior.

My work schedule is a tad erratic, sorry i've not been able to be more consistant with the post-respond ideal. I can get into this better this sat,sun. You have such a spontaneous diverse bunch here- i can't wait to hear more!

Paula -Alta, California.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Paula,

Like many first time visitors to Ireland you want to see and do it all in a limited amount of time. Sometimes reality is very different from the fantasy of Ireland.

I think you have too much planned for the day you will drive from Dublin to Portrush/Ballycastle. Even if you get into Newgrange and Knowth right away, if you plan on seeing the whole complex it will take 4 hours or more. If there is a waiting list it could take longer. It is another 2 hours to Belfast (the quickest route). Then there is your stop in between at Newry. Torr Road is slow and scenic. Actually the Antrim coast should have a full day devoted to it, if not more. It takes time to see Dunluce Castle (last admission 5:30) and
the Giant's Causeway.

You will have to make a decision on whether to skip Newgrange or some of the Antrim coast and sites.

The next day is equally full. It would be easy to spend the whole day at the Ulster American Folk Park.

Are you planning on seeing Dingle from Portumna? I would not recommend that as you will spend the whole day and evening driving in the car. Instead see things in the vicinity.

I don't mean to be a wet blanket but only to report on the reality of travel in Ireland.

Michele

Paula Jane · Member

     Hmmm, i was working evidentally with the misconception that we could do the drive/site see to Antrim coast in about 7 hours. I am not sure where to pare down. It's a bit baffling -figuring drive times/distances- when i drive nearly 70 miles a day for work, it doesn't seem unrealistic to drive an hour or two both ways to sight see. I do heed your advice, however, as this is the benefit experience offers!
     1)Regardless which we opt to narrow down or out -Newgrange or some of the Antrim coast, i am still curious about the best route, weighing scenery-drive difficulty-time. Do you think around Lough Neagh on the Belfast side or to the west?
     Truthfully, I am a bit overwhelmed. This is our first (and if the dollar keeps up this way-our only) trip to Europe. It is our 50/60th birthday presents. We really wanted to see Northern Ireland-oddly enough, with most folks recreating in the Republic.
     2)I guess what i ask is: with only three days, (4th,5th,& day of Sept 6th) to spend in Northern Ireland including driving,  which sites would be on Michele's must see list?
     3)Are you familiar with Portumna? If you were planning day trips from here, would you think it reasonable to do Galway and Connemara in one day? You said a day trip to Dingle would be ALOT of car time. I would really like to see Cashel...although a long day would this be feasible from Portumna? And if you had to choose between the two...Cashel/Dingle, which?
        Difficult to answer- i'm sure, not knowing us. just curious your opinion.
     4) Which of the two Elliskillen accommodations on the web page is the one you mentioned that you stay at? Am considering this spot, after Omagh visit rather than driving to (Rossnowlagh) Donegal coast. It's soooo hard to decide.
     Paula.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Paula,

Although Newgrange is very interesting I think you should cut it from your schedule and just head up to the Antrim Coast. That would be a doable day. In Ireland the "average" is 35 mph. Some on the forum think that 30 mph is more realistic for them. There are some motorways in Ireland but not many. You will be taking one of the best from Dublin up to the border. Quick time there. But once off it you will slow back down again.

I would take the route up through Belfast since you can then cut over and link up with the coase and Torr Road easily. All the signs point to Belfast and if you take the route through Cookstown you will probably end up going through Belfast anyway. It is like Cork -- it sucks you in like a black hole.

For the Antrim coast I would see Torr Road, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (although I am too chicken to cross it), Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Downhill Estate, and all the various overlooks and beaches along the way. It takes time to drive down to the harbors and beaches but they are very beautiful. You can also drive onto some of them.

I know Portumna and I would not do Dingle from there. It is just too far for a day trip. You can do Galway and Connemara but start early and be prepared for a long day. Cashel is doable. Cliffs of Moher doable.

I stay at Abocurragh outside Enniskillen. It is a farm tucked away in the countryside and is several miles from town. They do dinners there if booked in advance. Dromard House is closer to town.

Michele

Paula Jane · Member

   Michele-
      Thanks for all the responses to my various posts, geez,-wonder where you have the time!
My husband says he'll forgo Newgrange-so, am glad to hear you'd drop this option as well.
      I am going to get your book, as it seems clear that your insight is indeed of a different experience than others i've already purchased! Thanks for all that you do, and free no less!
      Have very much enjoyed this forum the past week or so and hope to garner more wealth of experience from all for the next several months...
      Paula. biggrin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Paula,

You're welcome! I make the time for my forum. Since I love Ireland so much I want to share what I know with others so they can have good trips too.

Thanks for letting me know that you are enjoying the forum. It is always nice to hear.

Michele