Late February/ Early March Trip

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

Late February/ Early March Trip

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

Great to hear you are going back to Ireland. That volcano impacted my trip too! Are you self-catering in Rostrevor? If so you will have a week in the Mountains of Mourne. There are some beautiful drives along the coastline and through the mountains. Lots of hiking in the area too.

You will be right on the border of No. Ireland & the Republic. Just south is the Cooley Peninsula - well worth a day trip. Read up a little on the history and legends because some great Irish myths are from Cooley.

The Antrim coast is a possible day trip but do it in good weather and get a very early start. Here are some websites for you:

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/destinationNI/coDown.aspx

http://www.carlingford.ie/

http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/

http://www.northantrim.com/

http://www.armagh.co.uk/

http://www.mournelive.com/aboutaonb/topics/index.asp

http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/

There is enough in the area to keep you busy for a month!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jeanne, Good to "see" you again!

If you get to the St. Patrick Centre, ask for the director, Tim Campbell. He will usually give you a personal tour. Give him my regards and tell him June isn't too far off.

Strangford Lough is another great area to explore well within "day-trip" time frame.

Unless spending time in Dublin is in yor plans, have you considered flying into/out of Belfast, instead?

Slan agus Barrogs,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

I agree with Bit. "Dr." Tim is a great ambassador for Ireland, Northern Ireland and the St. Patrick's Center. He is so enthustiastic and full of info.

Michele

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele and Bit for all of the info. I'll look into all of the links you posted. We're staying at a Retreat Center using it as our home base to explore the area. I really, really want to take the girls up to the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce and the Rope Bridge so we'll have to plan an early start to get up in that territory and spend the day doing those things. Other than that it will all be new to me.

We're flying into Dublin because the prices seem SO much cheaper than flying into Belfast. A big enough difference for us to start off down south and work our way up. No problem because I've not been to Newgrange yet so figured we could stop there on the way up to Rostrevor.

You mentioned Tim Campbell last time I was making my plans, Bit, so I still have him on my list of people to contact. I see you'll be visiting him in June. I'll be sure and send him greetings from you all.

Bit, the four young ladies I'm taking with me are all accomplished musicians and will be bringing instruments with them (Fiddle, Harp, Guitar) They're not session players but will love to at least listen and experience some of those (though I know they won't be able to jump in and play, themselves). Where is the best trad music in the area? Anything else you'd recommend for musicians who are visiting this particular spot of Ireland?

Thank you for all the help!!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jeanne,

I will ask Tim the best that he would suggest. I know that Mullan's on Church street had Trad seissuns on most every Friday and Sunday evening. That is in Downpatrick. They may not be seissun players now...but let one musician get wind that they play and they will be before your trip is through.

Michele, Tim is a good friend of mine. His warmth and enthusiasm are infectious. You can tell that his love for all things Irish is genuine.

Slan Agus Barrogs,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

I met Tim at a Tourism Ireland presentation many years ago here in Atlanta. He was the only bright spot in a rather dismal presentation. We've met up in No. Ireland since that. He and Barry have a common interest in old vehicles. Tim is certainly in the know about the Downpatrick area. I like that depsite his credentials he doesn't take himself too seriously and enjoys what he does.

Michele