2014

Roy · Guru

2014

murphy · Guru

Roy,
When in 2014 are you planning on going?

Last Oct we visitied Dunluce Castle and the Rope Bridge, which were two more sights that are located close by Giant's Causeway that you should not miss. We enjoyed Bushmills too!

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

You must visit the Dark Hedges too. If you like gardens then Mount Stewart is a must. If you are there in early May the Glenarm Tulip Festival is brilliant.

tony2phones · Guru

Bit of something I am doing at the min http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv My September road trip round the island again has vanished in the mists of the past few months, so new aim is to tackle some of the Wild Atlantic Way probably Derry down to Achill and Westport. Just do the regular "find a new bit of Connemara" this September.

Geno · Guru

Appreciate you posting that route. Looks really interesting. I drove through Doolough Valley this March on my way to Westport, and it was incredible!

Geno

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Tony. I notice that access to Kinbane Castle has been restricted for several years because of erosion. I jumped the locked gate once but it is not recommended since the steps are considered dangerous. I wonder when they will fix the problem? Have you been down there lately?

tony2phones · Guru

Access to Kinbane Castle has been restricted on and off for probably about 10 years, they used to have guides at the top to take small groups down, then it was just volunteers who handled the health and safety in case anyone slipped and fell. I was last down in spring 07 (just before they took the lower access stairway down) but it was a requested point for the lass who wanted the route planning.. If it were this side of the border it might still be accessible, (been to Skellig Michael lately?) There are whole chunks of the coastal path that could be easily made safe again, some that has been lost forever.. thankfully I was young and fit enough to see many of these parts before the Health and Safety bug hit tourism.

Michele Erdvig · Host

You might want to skip the Marching Season around July 12 - Orange Day. Tensions tend to increase then.

Roy · Guru

murphy wrote:
Roy,
When in 2014 are you planning on going?

Last Oct we visitied Dunluce Castle and the Rope Bridge, which were two more sights that are located close by Giant's Causeway that you should not miss. We enjoyed Bushmills too!

Dan

Not sure Dan. We are restricted to the summer months because of my wife's employment. I'm still in shock that she wants to visit "the six counties."

Roy · Guru

That's for sure Michele.

Roy · Guru

Looking ahead at a base for our trip- possibly Buncrana? I can't find much in a archives. We will probably want to spend 1-2 nights somewhere near Giant's Causeway I would think. We'll most likely meander our way up from Shannon, not sure where family time will be fit in yet.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Buncrana is the largest town on the Inishowen Peninsula. There is a seasonal ferry that crosses Lough Foyle to Magilligan: http://www.loughfoyleferry.com/

Another option is Letterkenny. You could do the various peninsulas, Glenveagh and Derry from there.

I stayed at Causeway Lodge near Bushmills. It is gorgeous but the prices are "dear".

Roy · Guru

I've done some research on Letterkenny- it doesn't have a very good reputation. I drove around it returning from Glenveagh to Donegal Town in 2012. Letterkenny might be a slightly better geographical location, but I'm having difficulty finding it otherwise appealing.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've stayed in Letterkenny many times. It is not the most attractive town in Ireland but is in a good location. I've never had any problems there. It has good restaurants and places to stay. Or you could try Ramelton, just a few miles north of Letterkenny.

But perhaps you are looking for something smaller and quaint?

Roy · Guru

Smaller is a good start. Coastal keeps my wife happy.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Does you wife like water views? Fragrens is near the beach but down a side street so no actual water views that I could see when I was there. Crocaktinney has wonderful views and rooms with little balconies but is not close to town.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Roy wrote:
Smaller is a good start. Coastal keeps my wife happy.

Roy, mo chara,

If coastal keeps your wife happy and smaller makes you happy, perhaps you might consider the Causeway Coastal area. I have planned an itinerary for several clients using this website for reference.

I would highly recommend Kenmara House. The view they offer is breath stealing and the gardens are usually lush. They re located just outside of Ballycastle. If in town Ballycastle is more to the liking of the missus, I can recommend Fragen's B&B. Breezemount house in Coleraine would be another I can recommend. Also, Narrow Gauge B&B in Ballymoney. If you find yourselves down among the Glens, you will love the village of Glenarm and a stay at the Castleview.

Roy · Guru

Thanks Bit. These suggestions may work out fine for our 1-2 nights in " the six counties".

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

We stayed at Ardaghmore B&B in Ballycastle in a front room that had a great view of the water across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. I would definitely stay there again.

Jackie

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've tried to view Ardaghmore about 6 times and have been denied a look. I finally gave up. So thanks for your first-hand recommendation.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Roy - Ballycastle is very convenient for Giant's Causeway, Bushmills, the Rope Bridge, etc. The one (minor) negative about Ardaghmore is that it is easily a 15-minute walk to the city centre where all the eateries are and it was extremely rainy while we were ther. After getting soaked to the skin while walking to dinner the first night, we elected to drive.

Her website (ardaghmore.com) gives a good idea of the rooms, but it is all prettied up. I have a couple of pictures I can upload of the view if that's okay.

Hoping to go back and revisit Northern Ireland (and the Republic) in 2015.

Jackie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Jackie. It is fine to upload photos. If you click on the "Advanced Editor" button below it allows you to do that.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Here are a couple of pictures of the view from Ardaghmore B&B in May 2011. If it was a clear day, you can see across to the the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Unfortunately, we saw very little sun. One picture is view from Rathlin room, the other is the view from the parking lot for the Rathlin Island Ferry. ardaghmore view.jpg ardaghmore street view.jpg