Any suggestions for Northern Ireland and Donegal?

[Jane And Rog]

First, apologies to Donegal for putting it in the UK section. Not a political statement, I just didn’t want two threads, and the main destination for our holiday is Northern Ireland. We’re sailing to Belfast this Sunday morning and back again 11 days later.

We like long hikes with the dog, beaches, and road/gravel cycling. Enjoy history but houses can be dog unfriendly. Prefer remote campsites with few facilities to massive ones with bars and statics, though a decent shower is always welcome. Open to wild camping. Enjoy eating out, especially places that cook local ingredients imaginatively.

We’ve booked OX in Belfast for our last night, and have tickets for the the Gobbels cliff path. Want to see the Giant‘s Causeway of course. Has anyone got any suggestions for us, please?

 

[Downsie]

Try govisitinishowen.com for places to go in the far north of Donegal. Just over the border from Derry

 

[ontheroadagain]

From Belfast follow the Antrim Coast Road up to the North Coast.
You can wild camp overnight at Glenarm harbour but this weekend is a bank holiday so it will be very busy.
You might want to avoid Torr Head as the roads really are not suitable for a motorhome (but may be doable in a PVC)
I haven't been to the Giants causeway for a few years, but I think you will have to park in Bushmills and get the park and ride bus to the Causeway.
There are also a number of campsites on the coast road and lots of campsites when you get as far as Portrush.
Portrush is worth a visit if you like nice beaches (but can be a bit too commercialised for some).
From Portrush you can follow the coast to Derry/Londonderry and then into Donegal.
The will be numerous options in Co Donegal for wild camping and/or campsites.
I would recommend returning through Co Fermanagh and visiting Lough Erne.
There are two National Trust houses within a short drive of Enniskillen and also Enniskillen Castle is worth a visit.
A good place to stay in Enniskillen is Riverside Farm. £15 per night including EHU.
I would recommend you download the app "Motorhome Parking Ireland"
This will give you lots of options and covers N.I and R.O.I.
Hope you have a great holiday (and the weather forecast is looking good too)

 

[ontheroadagain]

Just remembered - there is a small campsite/CL (Feigh Farm) which is about 3 miles from the Giants Causeway.
The Causeway Rambler is a bus service that runs in the summer months and will take you to the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Reed rope bridge etc.
This can be boarded at the bus stop right at the entrance to Feigh farm, which means you don't have to worry about parking.
Dogs are allowed on the bus.

 

[jp11]

Just remembered - there is a small campsite/CL (Feigh Farm) which is about 3 miles from the Giants Causeway.
The Causeway Rambler is a bus service that runs in the summer months and will take you to the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Reed rope bridge etc.
This can be boarded at the bus stop right at the entrance to Feigh farm, which means you don't have to worry about parking.
Dogs are allowed on the bus.

And if you're in that area, Balintoy Harbour is nice (Game of Thrones film location).
Also, if you are short of time, and travelling westwards along the North Coast, you can get a ferry across to Donegal, missing out Derry/Londonderry.

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[jp11]

Access down to Balintoy Harbour is tight and twisty but should be OK for your van-converted motorhome.

 

[Winger]

Ballintoy is accessible so much so the tour coaches are in and out steady

 

[ontheroadagain]

Access down to Balintoy Harbour is tight and twisty but should be OK for your van-converted motorhome.

Be sure to watch out for those overhanging rocks!!!
Another option is to park outside the Church on the road in and walk to Ballintoy.
From the church there is also a cliff top walk to the Carrick-a-Reed rope bridge.

 

[jp11]

As ontheroadagain said, Enniskillen area is really nice. Beautiful lakeland. Just south west of it is the Shannon-Erne waterway. Waterways Ireland permit motorhomes to stay at the moorings/locks (free). Lietrim Village mooring is exceptional.

 

[HarryML7]

On your way back to Belfast, try venturing to Carlingford,then take the ferry across to Killowen and follow the east coast through Newcastle, Strangford, Ards peninsula, Bangor.

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[jp11]

There's an aire at Carlingford marina. With bar and restaurant....

 

[Oscar]

Out of interest - which ferry crossing did you use? Been looking & the prices seem pretty steep

 

[Winger]

Ferries can be cheaper tues-thurs and even less if you go on a late evening sailing. Still a rip off tho!
Via Stenaline

 

[jeddy]

Hope your trip is going well. Planning to sail to Belfast myself mid September. Are there any COVID requirements - tests etc….?

 

[PG’s trips]

No Covid requirements same as travel within rest of UK.

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[irnbru]

No Covid requirements same as travel within rest of UK.

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