Merle,

First of all, you are going to love Northern Ireland! I was there in October and had a fantastic time. If you got my latest newsletter you read about some off-the-beaten-path things to see. I will comment day-by-day below:

Day 1 – Arrive Shannon Airport, Burren, Aillwee Cave – overnight Ballyvaughn * Sounds good.           

Day 2 – Cong, Ashford Castle grounds, Connemara – overnight Clifden * Fine.                     

Day 3 – Killary Harbor , Fjord boat tour, Aasleagh Falls, Croagh Patrick – overnight Westport  * Fine.                                                                    

Day 4 – possibly Carrowkeel & Boyle Abbey – overnight Westport * Fine.

Day 5- Achill Island – overnight Achill Island * Fine. I highly recommend Bervie if you budget will stretch for a guesthouse. You can read my review here: http://www.irelandyes.com/excerpt.html

Day 6 – Carrowmore, Lough Gill drive,  Glencar Lake & Falls – overnight Killybegs * This is a full day of sightseeing around Sligo. I suggest an early start.

Day 7 – Slieve League Cliffs, Glencolumkille, scenic drives – overnight Killybegs * Good.

Day 8 – Explore Donegal peninsulas, Glenveagh Castle, Gardens – overnight   Letterkenny * Fine although depending on how much exploring you do you may find yourself in Glenveagh too late for admission.

Day 9 – Fanad Head, Inishowen Peninsula, Gap of Mamore – overnight Letterkenny * I suggest you choose either Fanad or Inishowen not both.

Day 10 – Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – overnight Ballycastle * A very full day. Start early and take plenty of film or memory for your camera. Carrick-a-Rede is quite a hike.

Day 11 – Torr Road, Antrim Glens, Carrickfergus, maybe explore Ballyronan on Lough Neagh (home of ancestors) – overnight Ballycastle * Too much and too many different directions. If you want to see Carrickfergus you will be almost to Belfast. You might as well continue on to Newtowards and spend the night there instead of backtracking to Ballycastle.

Day 12 – Mt. Steward & Gardens, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum – overnight Newtownards * The museum could take all day, depending on how interested you are to see it all. Check Mount Stewart for opening times since the house is not always open.

Day 13 – Belfast or explore around ancestor area - overnight Newtownards * Fine.

Day 14 – Down Cathedral, overnight Malahide * Fine. You might want to see the St. Patrick Center also. They have a nice cafe there for lunch.

Day 15 – Hop on Hop off bus, Dublin, overnight Malahide * Good. Nice way to see the city while staying in the 'burbs.

Michele

Merle,

A stay at Bervie is worth doing things backwards for. Be sure to do the Atlantic Drive first as once you get to Bervie you will not want to leave (except for a walk in the beach).

Carrowmore is a lot more accessible. There are a slew of small stone circles, dolmens, etc. spread out over farmland. Carrowkeel requires more hiking and is up in the hills and heather.

Michele