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Post Info TOPIC: Westport to Bushmills via Sligo & Donegal? Scenic route?
Melissa5


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Westport to Bushmills via Sligo & Donegal? Scenic route?
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Hi Michele and Ireland travellers. We have 3 nights in Westport, County Mayo on our July trip. Then we drive to Bushmills in Northern Ireland for a 2-night stay.

The route from Westport to Sligo to Donegal to Derry to Bushmills sounds scenic and intriguing. How long would that take with lunch and photo stops? Is that a beautiful route? I love stopping in interesting villages and towns. (Plus more towns means more bathroom stops!) But we also like the scenic countryside.

Also along this route is the tempting Carrowmore megalithic tombs, Lough Gill with woods, etc. Are any of these stops intriguing enough to make the detour worth the stop, considering we have to get from Westport to Bushmills before dark?

On this route I would get to see Yeat's famous Benbulben as well. I like poetry...

Michele, do you think this is a good route for us? I understand there is an alternate route that passes by the Ulster American Folk Park, but we are already planning to see the Ulster Folk Park and Transport Museum in Cultra later in the trip. I don't think hubby will like too many "tourist" parks, although I love those parks with re-creations of village life.

I welcome advice on the best route to take and the best stops to make. Also a good lunch stop. We will be driving this route on a weekday by the way. Thanks.



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Michele Erdvig


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Melissa,


The drive from Westport to Bushmills will take about 5 1/2 hours. It will be the best one for you. Since you have already told me how your husband can dawdle looking at the flora for long times, I have just given you the driving time alone. I'm sure lunch and other things will add another couple of hours.


Parts of the drive on the main route through Derry are very scenic, other sections are not. Don't worry, you will definitely see Ben Bulben and Knocknarea unless they are socked in by fog. You could stop in Sligo or Donegal for lunch. Or you could pick up sandwiches, etc. and have a picnic along the way.


I don't think you should make too many detours along the way. Most of your time will be driving. However, I always make a point to go out to Rosses Point. There is a beach there and islands & a lighthouse just offshore. Not the spectacular beauty of Dingle but something special nonetheless. One of Yeats ancestors lived out there. It is definitely between Ben Bulben and Knocknarea. If it is lunch time you could park overlooking the beach and have your picnic. Or pop into Austies for a meal. (Just north of Sligo town you will see Rosses Point signposted. Turn left and it deadends at the beach.) And of course, you will want to stop at Drumcliff to see Yeats grave. That will be a very quick stop and is on the main road. Also on the main road is Creevykeel prehistoric tomb. Carrowmore is very difficult to find so you may want to skip that. Unless you know a dolmen from a souterraine you probably won't get much out of it unless you have a tour. All that takes time.


Michele



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Melissa5


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Michele, as always there you are with practical and delightful suggestions. I sure appreciate it!

Since the drive from Westport to Sligo to Donegal to Derry to Busnmills is 5 1/2 hours already, I agree, I won't plan any major detours! Hubby will manage to dawdle over flora and fauna, you are right. Plus my bathroom stops. Plus whatever catches our eye...

I have found Creevykeel, Drumcliff, and Rosses Point on my map. Looks like a great plan. My mouth is already watering for fresh fish and chips at Austie's, if it happens to be lunch time.

Does that mean we won't have time for the Lough Gill Loop?

Have you ever been in the middle of a long drive and been caught in the fog? This is one of my fears! What if you are miles from your next intended b&b?

Michele, I just want to say thank you so much for all of your replies on my other questions too. If I reply to each one, of course they will pop up to the top of your forum, and I'm starting to feel like a forum hog, so I thought I would thank you here! What would we do without you?



-- Edited by Melissa5 at 03:34, 2006-06-30

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Mark D


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I really loved Rosses Point !    Whenever I think of sitting on the beach I break into a verse of "Mary From Dungloe"   


Oh then fare thee well sweet Donegal, the Rosses and Gweedore......................


 We stayed at the Yeats Country Hotel, and made trips into Sligo for dinner etc. If you are looking for a nice place for lunch I would recommend Fiddler's Creek, with a great view of the River Garavogue. They pour a mean pint of Murphy's !


We also loved McHugh's pub.....


I think you will really love the scenic beauty of the Rosses.


Cheers!


Mark D.


 



-- Edited by Mark D at 11:01, 2006-06-30

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Melissa5


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Mark D, ah, another Irishman breaks into song! Is there any beauty or sorrow in Eire that doesn't have a "chune" to go with it? If your voice is still lingering at Rosses point maybe I will still heart the faint echoes of "Oh then fare thee well sweet Donegal, the Rosses and Gweedore..." fading away...

You sure add a lot to this forum, Mark D. Many thanks for all your advice to me.

Fiddler's Creek is in Sligo, in case we are there for lunch? Is McHugh's Pub also in Sligo, and do they serve lunch? Are they easy to find? Michele's "Austie's Bar & Restaurant" at Rosses Point also sounds good for fish and chips. (I don't usually eat fried food but I make an exception for fresh fish and chips!)

I'm looking forward to the scenic beauty of the Rosses.

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Dude


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"Every stone by the side of the road in Ireland has a song written about it."

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Michele Erdvig


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Dude,


As the old poem goes


"The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,


For all their wars are merry and all their songs are sad."


Yes, every stone does have a song or a story behind it.


Melissa,


You probably want to avoid going into Sligo town center for lunch. Better to stick closer to the main road so you don't have to worry about parking, etc. Austies has things other than fish and chips. The soup and brown bread in Ireland is delicious and makes a great lunch. I am also partial to a "toasted special": ham, cheese and onion toasted inside a sandwich. You can get those in virtually any pub in Ireland that serves food. The Yeat's Tavern (near Drumcliff) is also very good.


Don't worry, you won't go hungry!


Michele



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Mark D


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Thanks Melissa5,


 


I am not nearly as experienced as many on this forum, but was fortunate enough to travel the West of Ireland, and see many "off the beaten path" type places. I learn so much be reading all the posts, I feel it is my "duty" to share what I have learned..........It sure is fun !


Cheers!
Mark D.



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kathy


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We just went to Ross's point last weekend and everyone is right. it is a 'don't miss'!


i was determined to go to carrowmore and found it fascinating. the views were magnificient but the guided tour made it most worthwhile. it only took an hour, but we were not under any pressure.


now, i am all caught up over queen maeve's tomb and want to climb the hill.


as for fog - i know we have only lived in the west of ireland 9 months, but i have yet to see fog that covered the road. a few hazy mornings - sure... but nothing i would call fog.


also, when it doesn't get dark til 11pm, you don't really have to worry about it right now.


 



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wojazz3


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RE: Westport to Bushmills via Sligo & Donegal? Scenic route?
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Just because I'm a pain ....


The Rosses in that song is more likely the area called The Rosses on the west coast of Donegal around Dungloe (surprise) and Burtonport, not Rosses Point. Gweedore is just north and east.


There is about a 8-10 mile side trip off the N15 that takes you to the Glencar Waterfall. For waterfall nuts (and you know who you are), this is a nice stop.


Bill



-- Edited by wojazz3 at 11:47, 2006-07-05

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oopsy


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Hmmm....I might be one of the waterfall nuts Bill referenced. Glencar is actually quite beautiful. We were there in '02, in a nice misty rain. Quite peaceful! You could pick up lunch at a grocery and then have a picnic at Glencar. Might be a nice diversion on a long driving day...

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wojazz3


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Now how did you know I was referring to you (and perhaps me)?


Bill



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Michele Erdvig


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Kathy,


If I can climb Knocknarea, anyone can. Just wear good walking shoes. What looks like a little knob on top of it is actually a huge cairn. It makes you wonder who built it and how they got all those rocks all the way up there. The views are magnificent on a clear day.


Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Melissa5


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I love waterfalls too. Melissa5, get off the forum and go to bed.

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 03:14, 2006-07-06

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