I've just returned after taking a group of young ladies to Northern Ireland. The four sisters form a musical band called "JUBALation" and the journey was meant to be a musical pilgrimage. Our home base was the YWAM Center, "An Cuan" in Rostrevor. From there we ventured out to Castlewellan Forest Park, Inch Abbey, St. Patrick's Centre, The Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Ulster American Folk Park, Monasterboice, Mellifont Abbey, Newgrange and the Hill of Slane (not to mention numerous small town adventures).
The weather was surprisingly beautiful at this time of year--mostly sunshine! We enjoyed having many of the attractions almost completely to ourselves so if you don't like crowds we recommend traveling in the winter. On the other hand, we had a hard time finding places open--even restaurants to eat! So, come prepared for that as well!
For a more in-depth description of our journey you can visit my blog and read the posts "Journey to Ireland" (#1-10).
https://jeannepage.wordpress.com/
The girls also blogged from Ireland and you can read their versions here:
http://jubalation.wordpress.com/
I've also included links to four videos in case you want to *see* what our trip was like!
Thanks again to Michele, Bit, and all "The Regulars" for giving such good advice. It made our trip one that we will never forget.
It looks like you had a fabulous time of it over there. I am thrilled that you were able to connect with Tim at the St. Patrick Centre. He is a dear soul. I am looking forward to his all to brief (one evening) visit next week.
I just spent an enjoyable hour looking at your blog and YouTube videos. Looks like a fabulous time! Thanks for taking the time to post your trip report. We were all delighted to help with your trip. Hope you get to return again soon. And how brave that you all crossed Carrick-a-Rede. That's much better than I could do!!
Glad you met up with Tim at the St. Patrick's Center. It is people like him that make great ambassadors for Ireland.
Thanks, again, Michele. So glad you enjoyed the videos and reports. We always come to this friendly internet place to ask advice and hopefully share some too, for others making the journey. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful resource.
I'm a little late to this party, but thank you for sharing the links to all of your adventures and travels. I've only just started looking, but I will be back for more soon!
My husband and I will be traveling to Northern Ireland in June, so your experiences are of special interest to me (not that I wouldn't enjoy *any* videos and photos and blogs about Ireland...)!