Has anyone been to Northern Ireland - I’m looking for inspiration

[OublietteBravo]

I’m considering a trip to NI towards the end of August for the four of us, i.e. me, DH, DD (14) and DS (12). We’ll go on 23/24 August and move on to Ireland (Cork - visiting family) on 27 August.

Where should we go?

Ooh, this is a handy find. I’ve been trying to figure out if I can be bothered to get my head round the logistics of a trip to Liverpool then NI (probably via Dublin for a shorter crossing) given DH is unenthused and therefore not helping. After this thread I’m beginning to think I can be bothered after all (and it’s made me realise I’d better bring SIL some Taytos back if we do it).

North Coast - Giants Causeway, Carrick a rede rope bridge, ballintoy harbour, white rocks beach, castle rock, aquaholics boat tour

Belfast - Titantic museum, ulster museum, st georges market

Newcastle - bloody bridge, castlewellan park, tullymore forest
Dublin - the zoo is fantastic

We just got back last Saturday from our first ever visit to NI and Ireland. We stayed in a rental bungalow on the outskirts of Portstewart. We had our dogs with us so our accommodation choices were limited, but we were very comfortable indeed.

I loved the area! We visited every coastal village between McGilligan's Point and Ballycastle, and also took the Lough Foyle ferry and spent a day in Donegal. We headed for the 'Doagh Famine Village' which was really interesting and well worth the journey.

We loved Benone beach, the Downhill Demesne and Helzlett House. we did the Bushmill Distillery tour which was excellent and on our last full day, we went to the Giant's Causeway. Luckily nothing was too busy, but I imagine they will all get really packed over the next few weeks.

There are amazing beaches round every corner, great food and friendly people. I definitely want to go back soon.

I’m a NI native therefore haven’t done the tourist things. I went to the Titanic museum with Scottish DH - it was great but expensive.

What’s your plans for getting to Cork? You could go via Dublin and visit there for a night or two or as a PP suggested, go west and do the wild Atlantic way - much more rural roads for a lot of it so the same distance would take longer. Westport could be a good stop, lots for kids to do - or at least there was when I was a child!