2 days in Northern Ireland/Ireland, what to do?

Mark and Mindy

Mark and Mindy

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We are going to Ireland/Northern Ireland, have the Holyhead to Dublin ferry booked and I've been planning an itinerary. I've come a bit unstuck on the last two days before returning and would like to ask for a little help from those "in the know".
We have 3 nights to get from the Giant's Causeway down to Dublin for our return ferry. The Giant's Causeway is my last planned activity but I would like some help with suggestions on what to see for the 2 remaining days. We like to drive and take nice photos, some walking is fine but not loads as I have a few issues. Once I know where we want to go then I can sort out the overnights.
This is a dog free trip as our son/DIL have offered to have them.
Mindy
 
Yeah titanic well worth a visit.you can overnight about a mile away towards holywood(end of airport road) and then park nearby for the day. Overnight parking also a short drive away Bangor(ballyholme) then a short drive back into Belfast.
 
Maybe also while near Belfast try and book https://thegobbinscliffpath.com
I haven't been able to get yet but it's supposed to be a worthwhile visit.can also overnight at whitehead.
Make sure you follow the Antrim coast road when going to the giants causeway.lots of nice park ups and overnight spots as well.
 
From giants causeway follow the Antrim coastal road (ranked in the top 10 road trips in the world) lots of places to stop enroute to Belfast (Titanic experience, troubles bus city tours, Crumlin road goal visit, and lots more...) safe parking at Dundonald caravan, motorhome parking (can be booked in advance) lots of restaurants etc nearby and a bus takes you to city centre in 15 mins, After Belfast, Donaghadee lovely little seaside town with free motorhome parking by the old harbour wall big area with loads of room, (motorhome facilities 2 mins away at The Commons car park) after Donaghadee Newcastle County Down, another lovely location at the foot of Slieve Donard and the mountains of Mourne (sweep down to the sea) Tullymore forest park motorhome parking or alternatively Rostrevor Kilbroney caravan & motorhome park, (Lewis Carroll themed forest) very nice site in another beautiful part of the world...
By then your close to the border for ROI and an hour or so from Dublin, obviously if you don't want to stay at sites there's loads of wild camping spots all along those routes but either way.... Enjoy 🙂
 
After Belfast, continue south along the Ards Penisula, Mourne Mountains to Newcastle follow the coast road to Newry - then head for Omeath to Carlingford where you can overnight at the marina.

Check the Strangford ferry is running before commiting to the coast route.
 
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Take the dogs and get the passports done while you are there, The Antrim coast road is a must and then as Cpt Pal suggests worth doing.
 
For Belfast there's a m/h service point in the large carpark at Carrickfergus Castle. You could overnight there although we preferred the smaller, supposedly disused carpark, next to the Premier Inn (closed nightclub) which avoids the boy racers. Brewers Fayre next door but a few nice restaurants across the road as well as major supermarkets in walking distance. Don't bother with the castle, cheap but hardly anything there if you're "into" castles etc. For the Titanic Experience there's a carpark a short distance past it on the corner of Queens Road/Hamilton Road which has always had room plus there's a bus stop for the City Tour buses.
Incidentally the Titanic Experience is not just Titanic related, it covers much of Belfast's earlier history as the worlds largest linen producer. If you have mobility problems they have wheelchairs/mobility scooters that can be booked in advance.
 
Thank you so much for the help, the Titanic Experience is definitely something we'd like to do, we like the city touring buses as well and making a whole day of Belfast would work really well for us.
I did look at the Gobbins Cliff Path but I wouldn't be able to do it, those steps back up are totally out of my ability right now, if Mark really wanted to do it then I could chill in the van but right now its not an option for me.
We have no intentions right now of going into Europe with our dogs, life is too difficult to arrange with 1 dog being very reactive (loves absolutely everything in the world except other dogs) and the other being very anxious and dependant on me.
It looks as if my itinerary has finally come together, MHF is such a helpful resource to be able to draw on :Smile:

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If you intend going to the Giants Causeway, Bushmills Distillery is also worth a visit.
Also, Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge (but some walking and steps are involved so it may not be suitable)
Both of the above are in the same general area.
Some good advice so far - follow the Antrim Coast Road down to Belfast and then Newcastle, Carlingford, Dublin.
There is a another campsite just outside Belfast (Loughshore Caravan Park) which is on a bus route into the City Centre.
This would avoid bringing your motorhome into the city centre if you would prefer not having to worry about parking.
Or alternatively, as already suggested - Dundonald Touring Park.
Carlingford Marina is a great location to stay and an easy drive from there to Dublin.
Have a great trip.
 
The Coops said:
Take the dogs and get the passports done while you are there, The Antrim coast road is a must and then as Cpt Pal suggests worth doing.
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Is this an option? I’m visiting Angelsey and wondering about getting a pet passport if our first away with dog goes well.
 
Skyblue said:
Is this an option? I’m visiting Angelsey and wondering about getting a pet passport if our first away with dog goes well.
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I think if you are going from Wales to the Republic you may need an AHC if you go from Scotland to N Ireland no checks at all and just a drive over the boarder again no checks , I have not gone from Wales as its quicker for us to go from Scotland. Someone will have done it on here
 
Mark and Mindy said:
Just read up on it, that's fascinating and looks like its on our route.
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I have an oil painting of the Vanishing Lake painted by Irish artist Charles McAuley.
It was given to my late parents as a wedding present in March 1961.
Obviously the lake hadn't vanished when this was painted, but it does vanish quite often.


B2E1E49E-3BC3-4FDC-B6A4-4F5D2AF80FF8_1_201_a.jpeg
 
Around strangford always worth a trip. The aquarium in Portaferry and the ferry across to strangford. Castleward on the strangford side and mount Stewart on the peninsula if you like gardens or houses. Grew up around the Lough but never been there in a Moho.

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Some good advice already here so won't rehash what has already been said. Sometimes parking can be a bit difficult up on the North Coast but if you can go during the week (and in the morning before the tour buses descend, the Giant's Causeway car park is massive and there are spaces for MHs and good parking helpers to assist -more tricky on weekends or in the summer. The rope bridge is overrated since they tarted it up and made it less scary! If you have mobility issues it is a fair walk to it too so you're not missing much if you don't go. Def do the coast road though -it is beautiful. Not sure what MH you have but parking in Portrush Portstewart can be tricky (esp when sun comes out!) but if you are a National Trust member you can park for free on Portstewart Strand (don't miss that, and Harry's Shack does fab food right on the beach). Definitely get to Belfast and I would recommend a walking tour (some of them don't cover too much ground) one of the best if you are interested in objective political history of the Troubles is DC Tours -very informative and very balanced. And if you are into books then (shameless plug) I have just published a new history of Belfast which is out in paperback in a few weeks time 'Belfast: The History of a City and Its People' (the hard back might still be in the shops) Other books are available!😀 Titanic museum is a great experience -but give yourself 3 hours there at least. Check out the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast -lots of great bars and excellent public art walking tours based there .... for nice towns on the coast Check out Strangford, Ardglass and if you are going to Newcastle then stop in Dundrum at lunchtime and get a carryout from the Squid Shack (gorgeous high end takeaway) and you can eat it overlooking Dundrum Bay at picnic tables and there is a free car park that is usually empty that you cam park the MH in. Parking the MH in Newcastle may be more of a challenge -esp at weekend or if the sun comes out! On the upside car parking is free there -at the moment. If you are into history sites check out Newgrange on the way down to Carlingford around the Boyne Valley area just as you cross the border (you won't know you have crossed till the signs change and roads improve! you can book a tour online but numbers are limited so do book. Easy to park the MH too. Anyway -loads to do and it sounds like you are well set, so have a fantastic trip and may the weather be kind to you!
 
FEC said:
Some good advice already here so won't rehash what has already been said. Sometimes parking can be a bit difficult up on the North Coast but if you can go during the week (and in the morning before the tour buses descend, the Giant's Causeway car park is massive and there are spaces for MHs and good parking helpers to assist -more tricky on weekends or in the summer. The rope bridge is overrated since they tarted it up and made it less scary! If you have mobility issues it is a fair walk to it too so you're not missing much if you don't go. Def do the coast road though -it is beautiful. Not sure what MH you have but parking in Portrush Portstewart can be tricky (esp when sun comes out!) but if you are a National Trust member you can park for free on Portstewart Strand (don't miss that, and Harry's Shack does fab food right on the beach). Definitely get to Belfast and I would recommend a walking tour (some of them don't cover too much ground) one of the best if you are interested in objective political history of the Troubles is DC Tours -very informative and very balanced. And if you are into books then (shameless plug) I have just published a new history of Belfast which is out in paperback in a few weeks time 'Belfast: The History of a City and Its People' (the hard back might still be in the shops) Other books are available!😀 Titanic museum is a great experience -but give yourself 3 hours there at least. Check out the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast -lots of great bars and excellent public art walking tours based there .... for nice towns on the coast Check out Strangford, Ardglass and if you are going to Newcastle then stop in Dundrum at lunchtime and get a carryout from the Squid Shack (gorgeous high end takeaway) and you can eat it overlooking Dundrum Bay at picnic tables and there is a free car park that is usually empty that you cam park the MH in. Parking the MH in Newcastle may be more of a challenge -esp at weekend or if the sun comes out! On the upside car parking is free there -at the moment. If you are into history sites check out Newgrange on the way down to Carlingford around the Boyne Valley area just as you cross the border (you won't know you have crossed till the signs change and roads improve! you can book a tour online but numbers are limited so do book. Easy to park the MH too. Anyway -loads to do and it sounds like you are well set, so have a fantastic trip and may the weather be kind to you!
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Thanks for that, I'll have a look and see what we can wriggle into our itinerary, I'm rejigging it currently - by careful planning on our part due to not wanting to disrupt son and daughter in law's lives too much with having the dogs, we're only away for one weekend in our 9 night trip and not currently planning to be anywhere where too many people could be a problem.
 
Dundonald Caravan Park about 15 minis from Titanic Experience. Glider bus in...
 
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I’m surprised no one has mentioned Benone beach between castlerock and Limavady. Stunning views into Co Donegal. Overnighting at the cafe just off the beach permitted
 
Augusta08 said:
Dundonald Caravan Park about 15 minis from Titanic Experiance. Glider bus in...
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We're planning on 2 nights here so that we get a full day in Belfast, we saw that we could get a bus into Belfast plus evening food to be found close by.
Winger said:
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Benone beach between castlerock and Limavady. Stunning views into Co Donegal. Overnighting at the cafe just off the beach permitted
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Our route will take us past Benone beach as we head for the Mussenden Temple.
 
Hope you enjoyed your trip over here?? For such a small place there’s plenty to do & many smaller places to visit apart from those already mentioned, esp inland. But my 2 fav are Ballintoy harbour (on a quiet day) & Torr Head (though not sure I’d risk the MH on the road that hugs the coast to Torr.
 
Mark and Mindy said:
We are going to Ireland/Northern Ireland, have the Holyhead to Dublin ferry booked and I've been planning an itinerary. I've come a bit unstuck on the last two days before returning and would like to ask for a little help from those "in the know".
We have 3 nights to get from the Giant's Causeway down to Dublin for our return ferry. The Giant's Causeway is my last planned activity but I would like some help with suggestions on what to see for the 2 remaining days. We like to drive and take nice photos, some walking is fine but not loads as I have a few issues. Once I know where we want to go then I can sort out the overnights.
This is a dog free trip as our son/DIL have offered to have them.
Mindy
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Travel down via the Antrim Coast Road, you’ll have the sea on your left and the Glens of Antrim on your right. Travel down to Carrickfergus Castle, and as someone else has already said the Titanic Experience in Belfast. If you have time, have a pint of Guinness in the National Trust pub, The Crown in Belfast.
 
Some brilliant advice there. Like others have said the Antrim coast drive is stunning as is all that coast line. We only went from the Giants Causeway to Larne, but what amazing views.
If it's not been mentioned already, you are better going to the Giants Causeway as early as you possibly can as it gets absolutely chocker.
We went first thing and we were sat outside the pub afterwards drinking Guinness as masses started arrive, chuffed that we had missed the madness 🤣
 
Agree with much of the above advice -If you are focusing on Giant's Causeway then I would recommend driving round to Portrush/Portstewart -Some great beaches Benone already mentioned and Portstewart Strand one of my favourite places -but don't go on a sunny Saturday as everyone piles up from Belfast! If you are in National Trust you can park directly on the beach. Cars are free if you are a member so assume MHs are too (worth it if the tide isn't fully in). Massive beach so usually loads of space. Have lunch/drinks in Harry's Shack right on the beach -the mussels there are gorgeous! Yes to Titanic Experience but leave yourselves plenty of time for it -2-3 hours -there is loads to see. Also recommend Crumlin Road Gaol (they have just opened a distillery inside it) and Ulster Museum is also very accessible up at the university. Would have recommended a walking tour if you want to know about recent history (an excellent one is D.C. Tours) And it is more a gentle amble around quite a small area of the city (so you don't need to be superfit to do it) -though if mobility is an issue there are lots of bus tours and taxi tours on offer. If in Belfast go to the Cathedral Quarter -lots of excellent bars. Oh -and if you do go to Ballintoy Harbour ......don't take the Van down -you'll never get it out -esp if you meet a GoT tour bus!! Enjoy and may the weather be kind to you.

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