Honeymoon April/May 2018

ashjofree · Newbie

Honeymoon April/May 2018

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum and Congrats on you up-coming Nuptials (and Ireland Trip)! biggrin biggrin

Firstly, I wouldn't rent the car until the day you plan to LEAVE Dublin. Having a car whilst staying in Dublin is generally more trouble than it is worth -- Heavy traffic and costly parking just being the tip if the iceberg. . .

The Hawk Walk at Ashford IS very popular, but there ARE other options along your proposed travel route:

Dublin: http://www.dublinfalconry.com/

http://www.newgrangefalconry.com/

Northern Ireland: http://www.falconryservicesbelfast.com/display/falconry.html

https://discovernorthernireland.com/Flying-Falcons-Bird-Of-Prey-Display-Portadown-Craigavon-P2480/

Michele Erdvig · Host

Did you just want a quick overview of Belfast? I ask because the sightseeing listed for those 2 days are in Co. Down. You could possibly rethink where you stay those 2 nights and do a partial day in Belfast on your way to the Antrim coast. Also, it would be a shame to miss Mount Stewart House & Gardens as it is one of Ireland's most beautiful gardens. Let me know if you are interested because I have a couple of extremely nice places to recommend for you to stay near Mount Stewart and/or Downpatrick.

And then there is the Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival at the beginning of May. So much to see and do.

ashjofree · Newbie

Thank you, Bob and Michele, for your suggestions! I think since there are falconry options in Dublin and Northern Ireland, we will drop going to western Ireland, and just do a loop from Dublin, around Northern Ireland, and back.

Michele, I am curious about both the Mount Stewart House and the Tulip Festival--though, we are mostly interested in history, castles, sightseeing, and wildlife, and I want to make sure we take advantage of the best stuff while we are there! The B&B we are looking at staying in is 20 minutes from Belfast.

Would you suggest two nights, or only one in the Donegal area? I'm open to staying at either the Belfast area or Portrush/Bushmills area for an extra day and cutting a day near Donegal. Here is a revised itinerary:

Day 1 (April 24 or 25, 2018)
-Arrive at Dublin Airport
-Check-in at Hotel
-Explore Dublin

Day 2
-Explore Dublin
-Newgrange or Dublin Falconry?

Day 3
-Drive north towards County Down
-Tollymore Forest Park (Hotel to Tollymore 2 hrs)
-Clearsky Adventure Centre (Clearsky to B&B 40 mins)
-Check-in at B&B

Day 4
-Mount Stewart House & Gardens (B&B to Mount Stewart House & Gardens 38 mins)
-Explore Belfast (Mount Stewart to Belfast 35 min)

Day 5
-Drive north toward Portrush/Bushmills (1 hr 20 min)
-Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival?
-Check in to B&B
-Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
-Giants Causeway

Day 6
-Explore Antrim coast
-Dunluce Castle
-Dark Hedges

Day 7
-Head west toward Donegal (Maybe do this day 8 instead?)
-Check in to B&B (1 hr 45 min)
-Explore Donegal

Day 8
-Explore Donegal (?)

Day 9
-Check in at B&B near Dublin airport (2 hr 45 min)

Day 10
-Depart

Thank you!

-- Edited by ashjofree on Friday 25th of August 2017 02:11:15 PM

-- Edited by ashjofree on Friday 25th of August 2017 02:12:09 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

The Glenarm Tulip Festival takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 5,6, 7. I don't think that will line up with your itinerary. What B&B do you have in mind for the Belfast/Co. Down area? You could replace the Tulip Festival with a visit to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum or the charming town of Hillsborough with its fort, castle & gardens, etc. Castle Ward and Castlewellan Forest Park is also in the general area. In my opinion you must see Mount Stewart. It is glorious in the spring.

Your itinerary looks doable.