Off-the-beaten-path in NI

yesiree · Guru

Off-the-beaten-path in NI

wojazz3 · Guru

Well, for the most part, NI is off the beaten tourist path, but certainly Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede get a lot of attention as does Dunluce. All all worth a visit. Park on the road at the causeway and save yourself the parking fee. CaR is great at the beginning of the day before the buses show up. You can probably get to the Causeway after the visitor center is closed though it would require some hiking. I need to look into that sometime.

If you go to Bushmills and you want to see the place in operation, be there on a weekday and before noon on Friday. They shut down the operations at that time.

The Waterfall walk in Glenarriff is well known, but not heavily populated. I started at the bottom at the restaurant which I enjoyed because you're looking at the falls all the way up.

Take the little road down to Murlough Bay off the Torr Rd, and of course, do the Torr Rd. I used to describe the Torr Rd as narrow and scary, but really, there are much worse. It has a center stripe to mark the mark the middle which is rather wishful thinking, but it's not bad.

I've always wished I could find a way to stay at the Blackhead Lighthouse. The setting is amazing.

There's a start.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Corey,

What great news! Too bad they couldn't have told you farther in advance so you could have gotten better airfares. But you will be back in Ireland...so who can complain too much?

Bill has listed some of my favorites too. The Antrim coast is really spectacular. Whenever you have the opportunity take all the little side roads down to the beaches and coves. White Park Bay, Portbraden (with the smallest church in Ireland -- although it was closed when I was there), Torr Road (as Bill suggested), Kinbane Castle. Maybe you will have time for a trip to Rathlin Island. There is also a hiking path that takes in a good part of the coast. Be sure to stop at all the laybys as they provide fabulous photo ops.

I think the Co. Down is very underrated. There is lots to see and do there. The Ards Peninsula has very different scenery on each side. Mount Stewart House & Gardens are a must. Greyabbey is interesting. There are lighthouses, windmills, fishing villages and one of Ireland's oldest pubs.

The Fermanagh lakelands around Enniskillen are lovely. There are islands to explore, fishing and boat trips. Try to see the little idols on Boa Island. My book tells you how to find them.

If I think of anything else I will add them to your posting.

BTW, congrats on being in the top 25 with Irish Fireside! Whenever I have time I listen to the new podcasts. I will anticipate the one on Northern Ireland.

Michele

Susan in Wi · Member

Hi Corey,

Here are a few more - hike up Slieve Gullion, a drive through the Mourne Mountains, Navan Fort and Armagh city wiith its 2 cathedrals named St. Patrick. The Bushmills tour is pretty good.

We stayed at Smuggler's Inn, right by the Giant's Causeway two years ago. It was wonderful - the room was large and we could see the sea, the food in the onsite restaurant was excellent and the place was filled with locals. I had been worried as I had seen unfavorable reviews on Trip Advisor, but we thougth it was great.

We will be in the north the first week in July ourselves. Hope the good weather holds for all of us!

Susan in WI

yesiree · Guru

Thank you everybody. My wish list is growing...at this rate it looks like I'll have content left over for the next trip too.

I'd love to hear anyone else's suggestions.

Despite the airfare, there is something very exciting about a spontaneous trip. Usually, I've got it planned at least three months in advance...many times earlier, so under two weeks is quite different.

yesiree · Guru

Packed my bag last night (I leave Sunday), and it's going to be a loooong day work today. I'm just taking a carryon again this trip. My oh my, have I reduced my luggage over the years.

Thank goodness I checked the board this morning. Melissa's rain jacket post reminded me to pack mine - just to make sure there is no rain

-- Edited by yesiree at 08:24, 2006-06-30

Michele Erdvig · Host

Corey,

Bon voyage! Have a fantastic trip. I know you will have lots to tell us when you return. We will look forward to hearing all about it here and on Irish Fireside.

Don't forget to go into every tourist office you see in No. Ireland. There are some very friendly folks there who will steer you to all those off the beaten path places you love to explore. Enjoy!

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Corey, have a great time! When you return we can compare notes. Never heard of the Irish fireside podcasts so I want to check that out. You are leaving very soon! If you have any time, look at www.fodors.com and find cambe (Helen). She replies frequently to questions about Northern Ireland, and she lives in Belfast. She has tons of answers to peoples questions on that Ireland web-site, and also on the United Kingdom website (Northern Ireland). But be sure to come back here to Michele's webiste or else we'll miss you!

Since we're both packing the raincoats, it's bound to be sunny.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Definitely check out Corey's www.irishfireside.com site. You can listen to his very interesting podcasts. You will learn even more about how to pronounce some Irish words.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

Thanks for the well-wishes.

I've already printed off more pages from Fodors and Frommers and here than I'd be able to see in ten trips, but I figure I should have the stuff "just in case." It's always interesting because I can research all day long, but once I get there there are always so many unplanned discoveries and referals along the way that are such a treat.

I look forward to sharing my trip in two weeks.

Melissa, Episode #2 of the Irish Fireside podcast will give you ins and outs of Bunratty. I know that is on your itinerary, so you might want to catch that one. Enjoy.

Maggie L · Senior Member

Corey, have a great time (how could you not?)!! It's great that you unexpectedly get to go this year, and yes, these is something special about a spontaneous trip!

Keep those rain clouds at bay --- I arrive in Dublin on the 12th and directly catch a bus to Donegal. I'll give a wave in the direction of N.I. to you!

Maggie