Request input on western and Northern Ireland itinerary

tucson · Member

Request input on western and Northern Ireland itinerary

Roy · Guru

You might want to spend two nights in Westport and two nights in Northern Ireland.

murphy · Guru

You are going to the places that we went a few years back. The rope bridge was pretty scary for a couple people in our group, but they were really glad they did it after the fact. We missed out on Torr Head drive and the dark hedges due to lack of time, but we will head back there this fall to do those 2 while head quartering in Dundalk for 4 days. Also want to take in all the St. Patrick historical areas nearby. Not sure how far south you will have time to venture in 2 days since it looks like you are concentrating on the northwest and north

Regards

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 08:51:36 PM

murphy · Guru

You also were asking about staying in the Bushmills area. We stayed two nights at Averest B&B in Portrush and really enjoyed the nightlife and staying in that little seaside resort town. Everything in easy walking distance.

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 08:49:42 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

What are your plans for your 2 nights in Galway? Westport to Derry is a long drive. I would spend two nights in the same place on the Antrim coast rather than splitting it up. Just a few miles inland from the Antrim coast is the Dark Hedges, which I really like. Also, all the beaches and harbors along the way are very scenic. Glenarm Castle gardens are lovely.

David · Member

Been away from home and just now catching up. Thanks for the responses. I also question whether drive between Westport and Derry is too long. Any suggestions as to a town after Westport to spend the night? Sligo seems too far from Galway. Still researching things to do in Galway.
Thanks

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

It's hard to advise without knowing your interests and tastes, but . . .

If you are spending two nights in Ennis and are interested in Westport and Connemara, then I would suggest skipping Galway -- which is only an hour or so up the road from Ennis and spend two nights in Westport.

Then, you could spend one night in Sligo, before moving on to Derry.

You don't have enough time to 'See It All' so you'll need to 'Pick and Choose' based on which sites are most appealing.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Like Bob I was leaning on skipping Galway too. It is a good base for Connemara and the Aran Islands. But you will see much of Connemara on the drive north anyway and you didn't mention the Aran Islands. If you do two nights in Westport you could consider doing Achill Island. Sligo is a good stop and plenty to do and see there.

tucson · Member

I have been working on this trip for awhile since my last post. Thanks for all the insight.
I have made several revisions; I have taken to heart the suggestion about breaking up the drive from Westport to Derry.
I will be spending a night in Sligo. (any particular recommendations for Sligo are appreciated).
From Sligo, after stopping at Drumcliff to pay respects to Yeats; we will drive to Slieve League from Donegal.
After leaving Slieve League the maps suggest backtracking to Donegal on our way to Derry.
I would rather not backtrack and wonder if going via Ardara and Letterkenny is a good alternative i.e.. scenic or problematic??
Any other suggestions for this drive.

I appreciate your input!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Glad to hear your trip is shaping up.

Great little B&B near Sligo: Iorras
Area sightseeing: Carrowmore, Rosses Point, Strandhill beach, Drumcliff, Gleniff Horseshoe Drive (north of Sligo)

Backtracking to Donegal is the quicker route since it is on the main road. Going via Ardara goes through the Glengesh Pass and will take up most of the day, however it is scenic. Why not wait to see what the weather brings that day?

tucson · Member

Thank you Michele for the advice.
We were thinking of driving out to the Strandhill area as it is down the road from the B&B we booked (chestnut Lawn B&B). Strandhill looks similar to Rosses Point, i.e.. beach area etc. Is there much of a difference between the two areas?
Also, you mentioned that driving via Ardara and the Glengash Pass will take most of the day. According to various maps, the distance going that way as opposed to backtracking all the way to Donegal is virtually the same. The maps also say the driving time is virtually the same. I realize that driving on winding R roads take longer but are we talking almost "all day" or perhaps 30- 60 minutes more. After seeing the you tube video of the drive thru the pass, I will certainly consider the weather in my final decision!
thanks again
David

Michele Erdvig · Host

Strandhill has a larger beach. Rosses Point has many Yeats associations, Coney Island, the metal man, waiting on shore monument. But both are beachy areas. Take a look at Google images to see which appeals.

As for going from Slieve League to Derry I am thinking of what I would do on such a day. You might want a stop in Glencolumbkille. If the weather was good I would stop at Glenveagh Castle & National Park. I would make a full day of it. If you just want to zip through add a maybe a couple of hours for slower speeds.

tucson · Member

Thank you!