Giant's Causeway, NI and the northern part of the Republic of Ireland

[BikeRunSki]

I really want to go to the Giant's Causeway (I am a geologist!), thinking about doing a trip at Easter for a few days, with DH and the DC (6 and 9). We live in West Yorkshire, so could fly to Belfast , but could also get the ferry from Stranraer (5 hr drive though....).

I'm guessing Giant's Causeway would be no more than a day trip? Less? Long morning?

What else is there to do and see in and around NI to make a trip over more worthwhile? We're a pretty outdoorsy family. We've traditionally done city breaks at Easter where everything is a walk or a tube ride away (Paris, London, Copenhagen)

Any recommendations of where to stay?

Would opening hours be restricted by bank holidays?

TIA

Public toilets are fab in Northern Ireland! Good to know when toy are travelling. Food is v good. The earlier you get to GC the better. It's a fantastic location for a trip.

How has no-one mentioned Carrick-a-Rede? It’s v good, as is Mussenden Temple which is really picturesque- my favouritest place in the world. You could easily make it a full day or two up the north coast if you were so inclined. And YY to the Marble Arch Caves- Enniskillen and Fermanagh generally is a lovely part of the country.

Food wise it's worth going to the Ramore Head in Portrush for the desserts alone - Google image search for "Ramore head desserts", I'd have attached a picture but couldn't pick one you can book, or just join the queue.

You could rent a house in Portballintrae for a night, you can walk to the causeway along the cliff path from there as long as you're all reasonably fit. It's not much good for travelling to Portrush and Portstewart without a car though, taxis need to be booked in advance.

We used to stay in Castle Rock a lot as a child and I always liked the walk over the cliffs to the Mussuden Temple. Not sure I've spelt that right. Yup to rope bridge, Bushmills and Glenariff forest park. Benone beach is nice. I'm not into GOT either but the dark hedges are lovely to drive through. Carrickfergus castle I find a bit meh tbh.

Marble arch caves in Enniskillen if you are into rocks

Parkrun does their run on the beach in Portrush if you're there over a Saturday.

Belfast is lovely. I like Botanic and Cathedral Quarter areas to eat. We are a very friendly bunch, not unusual for people to strike up conversations with you when you are out and about

If you're up that direction I'd visit Derry if you have time. Over the past few years it has been totally spruced up (frankly it used to be terrifying) and the city centre centre is great. You can walk the whole way round the walls in no time and it's so historic and atmospheric. Plenty of decent coffee shops and restaurants too.

You're definitely best to hire a car if you fly over, public transport here is not great. Trains are ok but very very limited as to where they actually go (half the country has no rail connection at all) and they're expensive and crowded.

If you have a car it is totally worth driving the coast road from Belfast the whole way up to the Giant's Causeway. It's beautiful.

I think they've closed the dark hedges to traffic now, which is good as it was getting ridiculous.

There's a sportive that goes a lovely route and through the dark hedges but I've dropped out of cycling for a bit so it might be over already.

Love NI and RoI! You'll have a great time and the people are really lovely.

Carrick A Rede rope bridge is brilliant.

Titanic museum is excellent.

Exploris Aquarium is worth a visit if you go that way at all. It's a rehab centre for poorly seals too.

We drive along the coast to Derry, stayed there and then had a lovely day in Derry. On the way we went on the Magilligan - Greencastle boat. Friends kids loved it!

Food over there is lovely, homemade, traditional with great brown bread!

Ulster American Folk park www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-american-folk-park/Home.aspx is fabulous if you head Omagh way at all. As are the Gortin Lakes and Forest.

Slieve Gullion Forest Park is brilliant for kids- massive play park, woods to wander in and fairy trails. Different activities across the year- normally Easter themed ones too.

Also I've hired a car from Belfast Int about 25 times in the past six years and won't hire from anyone but Avis now- the staff there are brilliant

Belfast Museum is great as well.
NI baking is wonderful.

I've visited the causeway a few times, I suppose from a geological point of view it's quite interesting, but once you've seen one basalt column they starting looking pretty much the same. Don't be conned into paying to see them, there is a public footpath down to the beach.

Personally I found Antrim coast to the west of the GC more interesting, and if you want to see a series of raised beaches, head for Malin Head in Donegal, you can drive there from Bushmills and get a ferry across to Green Castle over Lough Foyle.

Also, IMO Bushmills is a bit grim

If you have a car I would recommend the coast drive to the Giants Causeway. I've always wanted to go to G.C. But I was a bit meh when I got there.

When staying in Belfast we have stayed in the crowne plaza, you can find reasonable rates usually. We stayed in the Premier which is very central, fine but basic and they do deals for food.

We did titanic museum, trip to derry, coast drive. I also did a walking tour of both sides if the wall with two guides one from each side. That was really interesting and highly recommend it as you get to hear the two sided story.

In the opposite direction are the Mourne Mountains. Plus drumlins on the way there.

Ah yes. The Mourne Mountains. Had a week building footpaths (getting drunk with conservation hippies) there when I was 18. Stayed in Dundrum, lovely.

Done the ferry loads it’s really a very relaxing way to travel. You have put me in the mood now.

Mustang ha e you ever done the overnight crossing from Liverpool?

This is a lovely thread about our wee country!

Giants Causeway, Carrick a rede, mussendim temple all on the north coast.
It can be done in a day bit best give yourself longer if rocks are your thing.

Plenty of air b n b lettings all over NI.

Enniskillrn has the marble arch caves but it is around 1 hr 45 mins from Belfast and from what I remember it can be subject to closure if there is a lot of rain.

In Belfast itself the open top bus tour, the Ulster museum in botantic gardens, drink in road gaol, titanic exhibition or just dander around.

For the museum's see www.nmni.co.uk

Does anyone know if they are planning on reopening the gobbins cliff path anytime?

Just come back from spending 1/2 term in NI with 16,14 and 13 year old. We flew £40 each return, stayed air B and B at White Abbey and hired a car and used the trains. Did lots of the stuff already mentioned but also drove round Strangford Loch and visited Mount Stewart and went down to Newcastle and Dundrum, can recommend Mourne Seafood bar there.

Agree about the people - the taxi drivers are really friendly and helpful.

And agree about the food too - we didn't eat a bad meal when there, and the puddings especially were superb. I had one that came with icecream AND cream AND custard (didn't say this on the menu), so definitely not for anybody trying to watch their weight!