May travel questions

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

May travel questions

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jackie,

Welcome to my forum. Assuming you are arriving in LHR on an international flight, you will need at least 2 hours or more to get through immigration and make your connection. Look at Dublin Airport's website for airlines flying there. I've flown BMI and Aer Lingus with no problems.

You don't say where you will return your rental car. If you rent in NI and return to the Republic (or vice versa) there is a drop-off fee.

On the Antrim Coast I tend toward Ballycastle or Bushmills.

There are a few Permier Inns in Belfast. You might want to look at them for lodging. Sightseeing attractions are open in Belfast on Sundays.

You will get just a little appetizer of Ireland on this trip. Hopefully, you will get to return again for a longer trip.

Michele

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Thanks for your answers. I think we would return the car to Belfast Int and fly to Edinburgh from there so not to have any drop fees.

And hopefully many more trips to Ireland to follow. (-:

CowboyCraic · Guru

I just had a friend come back from Northern Ireland. I set up her entire trip. She stayed in Carnlough at the Londonderry Arms Hotel. She said she fell in love with the people there. It is center of the Coast drive. You could easily do day trips. also, Adelphi Lodge in Portrush is a nice break if you want upscale and close proximity to the Giant's Causeway.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Thanks for the tips - we hope to do some planning this weekend and this really helps.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jackie,

Be sure to take a look at my Lodgings page for suggestions on where to stay.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

My personal choice in Portrush is the Avarest Guest House set above the Quay very friendly and homely.

http://www.avarest.co.uk/portal/

CowboyCraic · Guru

Thanks Tony! That is one I may have to check out in June!

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jackie,

We are always happy to help. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Hi, all - here is update on our plans:

May 5-7 - staying with relatives on south side of Dublin

May 8 - taking train from Dublin to Belfast - staying in Belfast (Premier Inn - Cathedral Quarter)

May 9-11 - picking up rental car and driving to Ballycastle for three nights. En route, we are going to explore the area south of Ballymena (Connor, Kells, Slaght townland) where my great-great grandparents lived and possibly the parish in Ballymena where they married in 1827 - although that church is not standing today.

May 12 - flying to Edinburgh for a week in Scotland

So what are the things we absolutely shouldn't miss in NI - seems like there is a lot there, I know we need to see Giants Causeway and Glens of Antrim. Has anyone been to Rathlin Island and seen the puffins?

Really enjoying reading about everyone's plans.

Jackie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jackie,

What not to miss in NI is tough. For the Antrim coast I would add:

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (if you have a head for heights)
Torr Road Scenic Drive
Dunluce Castle
The Dark Hedges
Downhill Estate

There are some glorious gardens such as Mount Stewart and Glenarm.

Take a look here for more:

http://www.northantrim.com/
http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/

When driving the coast be sure to take all the little side roads down to the beaches and bays.

Michele

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Thanks for the tips - my sister and I don't do heights well (we couldn't handle the centerfield seats at Target Field, yikes that was high!) so not sure if we'll be up to Carrick-a-Rede. I don't think we'll have any problems filling our three days.

tony2phones · Guru

The Rope bridge isn't rope any more. Health and Safety have decreed that it is a fairly stable steel and wire version these days.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

It's the perception that can be the worst. We were probably safe at Target Field - they put the seating at a very steep pitch because of trying to cram the stadium into a fairly small space, and because we were so much higher than the row in front of us, we felt like we were going to fall off We went to a game at our own Comerica Park and my sister was nervous in the front row of the upper deck, even with a rail and plexiglass barrier.

So if we did do the Rope bridge, I may be doing it without her.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

The old name will always stick with the "rope bridge". Sounds so much nicer than wire bridge! wink

When I was at the bridge I got free admission because I told them I just wanted to look at it and take some photos and would definitely not be crossing it. It is a hike to the bridge and some very nice scenery along the way.

Michele

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Oh, I'm crossing Carrick-a-Rede, despite my fear of heights. I will find a way! I'm hoping that it's wide enough that we can use the same trick we used for getting me off Skellig Michael... I put one hand on my husband's shoulder and looked down at his feet. I put my feet where his feet went. I'll still have one hand free for the railing... wink

I just know that we'll get there, and I'll just have to know what's on the other side! It's how I'm wired, I guess. hmm

Speaking of gardens in Northern Ireland (well, Michele was...), has anyone visited Rowallane? It's on my list of things I really want to do. I've heard and seen such wonderful things about it (and Mount Stewart).

Slan,

Kate

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathy,

I love gardens. Maybe it is because I inherited my mother's black thumb and kill every plant within range. My favorite garden in NI is Mount Stewart. But Rowallane is beautiful too. I also like the walled garden at Glenarm Castle. I got some beautiful photos at Glenarm's Tulip Festival and made some great calendars, greeting cards and other things from them. I figure if I can't grow things myself at least I can capture their beauty.

As for the bridge, it is single file and there is really no way you can fall through it. It is just the perception of the chasam and the water 60 feet below that is scary.

Michele

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Michele,

We'll see the gardens of Glenarm almost certainly, as we are spending a few days at The Barbican Gate at Glenarm Castle (http://www.irishlandmark.com/PropertyInformation.aspx?PropertyCode=BB). I think that is the accommodation I'm most looking forward to on our trip, since we like unique accommodation and castles!

I have some gardening skills. I have a perennial garden in the back yard, and I grow my own veggies every summer. I also have plant beds all around the house. My problem isn't that I don't have the ability to garden; my problem is that I don't have time to maintain the gardens as they should be... cry

Thank you for the info on Rowallane. We'll probably stop in there as well, since we'll be in the area, and we'll have our trusty National Trust cards (well, Royal Oak Foundation cards...).

Looking at photos of the bridge, I may have to put my hand on hubby's shoulder and look straight ahead, rather than down... Down could be really bad! ashamed

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathy,

Lucky you staying in the Barbican Gate at Glenarm. It looks very atmospheric and romantic. Take lots of photos!

Good plan not to look down crossing the bridge. But the stairs going down to the bridge are really steep. You may want to do the same with your husband there.

Michele

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Michele,

We will most certainly be taking LOTS of pictures (everywhere we go). Each of us has a digital SLR, and we average about 2,000-3,000 photos a week between us! Of course, they're not all great shots, and that means we spend a chunk of time deleting photos, but that's the price you pay... ;)

In addition to the Barbican Gatelodge, we're staying at another Irish Landmark Trust property this trip. It's Termon House on the coast of Donegal near Dungloe. I had, at first, thought the house was a lighthouse keeper's cottage, but it turns out that it just happens to be on the coast and is actually an 18th century land agent's home. The wall around the property was one the "famine projects" that can be found all across Ireland.

It looks to be another great accommodation, though! We'll only be there for the three days following the June Bank Holiday weekend. Got a great deal, and we only wanted to be in the area for a few days (didn't want to rent a full week self-catering).

I think I should be fine with the steep stairway leading down to Carrick-a-Rede. The only reason I had real difficulty with Skellig Michael was that the stairs were steep with no handrail, and there was this feeling (if I tried to descend in a normal manner) that I was descending right into the ocean! It caused me to experience some vertigo... But most stairs or climbs downhill, even if they're really steep, do not have the same effect. (I hike in the mountains around our home all the time and have very few problems.)

I just noticed that the link to The Barbican Gatelodge on my last post doesn't seem to work correctly. If anyone is interested in seeing it, you can go to the general www.irishlandmarktrust.com website to view all of their really cool properties that you can rent!

Kate

Green Dragon · Guru

I plan on crossing the rope bridge as well. I LOVE heights. I was my happiest lying on my tummy over the edge of Dun Aengus, taking photos straight down. My friend Kim (who hates heights) nevertheless had made it up there... but was incredibly anxious about me on the edge. I can't wait to take photos straight down from the middle of the bridge!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kate,

There is a handrail on the steps going down to the rope bridge. But it was so steep that I took one look and freaked out. Even the steps were not for me.

Christy,

You brave soul! I definitely want to see those photos. It will probably give Kathy and me vertigo.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's an indication, from MY 2007 Trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/779981451/in/set-72157600769833589/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/780855810/in/set-72157600769833589/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/780856082/in/set-72157600769833589/

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 17th of January 2011 09:18:27 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

My head is spinning!

I'm the one standing in a safe spot watching you cross the bridge!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kate,

The Barbican is on my short list. I am just not sure about navigating the stairs, as I have balance issues. Termon house is another on my short list because of its location. Ballealy Cottage in Co Antrim is another. It looks like something you would expect in a fairytale forest. In fact, I would love to have three months to just do a "Landmark Trust" tour and stay in all of them

As for Carrick-a-Rede...I am not too sure that my balance issues will allow me to make it across. Christy, you have guts girl!

Slan Beo,

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 11:46:56 AM

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Bob - thanks for the pictures. I sent the first two links to my sister. If I had sent her link #3, she would veto going on it right now.

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Bob,

Those pictures are really great! I'm actually encouraged by the fact that it appears I can put hands on both rails at once. If I can do that, I'm pretty sure that I can make it across the bridge. I'm very excited about that! I got my fear of heights many years ago when I fell from a piece of playground equipment and fractured my spine, but I guess I've become a bit more desensitized the further from that event I get and the more I can accomplish things like crossing a bridge like Carrick-a-Rede and descending the stairs at Skellig Michael.

Bit,

We were torn between Bellealy Cottage, the Blackhead Lightkeeper's Houses, and The Barbican. We chose The Barbican for a couple of reasons. We are crazy for castles, and we didn't need to pay for the extra space for anything else. Since we were spoiled for choice in this area, we made our decision based on those two things over everything else.

Christy,

Good for you! You go, girl!!! I wish I could be like that... Of course, I don't have the motion sickness that my DH has, so I'm very grateful for that! I suppose we all have our strengths and weaknesses, right?

I had to force myself to crawl on my belly out to the edge of Dun Aengus, but I did it, and I took pictures (but I can't put my hands on one right now...grrr!). And I would do it again (and probably will). How could you go all the way out there and *not* go to the edge?!?