We're thinking about Northern Ireland next year

[StephandJohn]

We're in the early stages of planning so thought I'd ask for ideas of places to go, cheapest ferry etc.
John can't get health insurance so we'll be sticking to Northern Ireland unless he's 'fixed' by then!
Last year we had a whole tour of Southern England planned and booked by December and were glad we did because getting sites later in the year when we wanted to change one or two places was difficult.
Don't know if next year will be the same but I enjoy the planning anyway.
Usually we'd be going in to Europe and not book anything at all but the health insurance problem is stopping us at the moment.
Looking forward to your ideas.
Steph

 

[ontheroadagain]

Be prepared for a shock - the ferries are not cheap.
Depending on where you are travelling from, I would suggest Cairnryan to Belfast.
There are a few campsites close to Belfast if you wanted to spend a few days there.
From Belfast follow the Antrim Coast road north.
There will be a good selection of campsites and also some locations for wild camping.
Lots to see on the way. The Giants Causeway, Carrick na Rede rope bridge, Bushmills distillery to name a few.
When you have had enough of the coast, go to Enniskillen and spend a few days (or more) around Lough Erne.
Beautiful scenery (if it is not raining) and a few nice National Trust properties to visit if you are interested.
When you decide what route you are taking and what you want to see, I can give you some recommendations as to where to stay.

 

[StephandJohn]

Just looked up the ferries and you're right they're not cheap but we'll do it anyway.
We're usually away for a couple of months. Will that be sufiecient time/too much? We like coast, lakes, some inland too.

 

[Mikey RV]

I checked out the ferry for Ireland last week and could not believe how much they are.

 

[Figaro]

I visited NI in September, loved it.
Ferry Cairnryan to Larne which is the shortest route as we have a dog, probably cheapest too.
Lots of lovely places to go as mentioned by ontheroadagain
We did 2/3 nights wilding followed by a night on a campsite, no problem wilding.
It's worth going up to Malin Head then down the Wild Atlantic Way through Donegal, fantastic beaches and scenery.
I'd hoped to get to Galway but only made it to Westport before we had to head back.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely go back to see more of the WAW.

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[ontheroadagain]

We're usually away for a couple of months. Will that be sufiecient time/too much?

Northern Ireland is not a big country. You could see all of it in two months.
Depending on how long you want to stay at each location, it could be too long for some.
In that timescale you would also have time to visit Co Donegal and the west coast of Ireland, but as this is in R.O.I. your health insurance may be an issue.

 

[Figaro]

We're usually away for a couple of months. Will that be sufiecient time/too much?

Two months will get you round most of Ireland.
Edit - sorry missed the bit about health insurance, two months is ample for NI.

 

[Gellyneck]

If you are thinking about via Cairnryan you could have a few days \ week in Dumfries and Galloway en-route. Lovely part of Scotland and overlooked by lots of folk racing passed to get to the Highlands.

 

[Blue Knight]

If you want a central location within NI which has spectacular loch views, water resupply and a bar/fishshop on the doorstep......and for free......then go for the Battery Bar at the Battery Harbour, Loch Neagh (the bit which says 'you are here').

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Viennese]

We went between lockdowns autumn 2020 and absolutely loved it. So much to see, and it was quiet (bet it isn't now). Yes the ferries are expensive but when you can visit Game of Thrones sites, meet a dire wolf, ffind great campsites and get soaked to the skin on Giant's Causeway what's not to love?

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[Figaro]

If you want a central location within NI which has spectacular loch views, water resupply and a bar/fishshop on the doorstep......and for free......then go for the Battery Bar at the Battery Harbour, Loch Neagh (the bit which says 'you are here').

I had a night there, lovely place

 

[Figaro]

Another top recommendation is this site at Becoo, just inside NI. I can honestly say it's one of the nicest sites I've ever been on.
The elsan point is cleaner than some shower blocks I've seen.
All pitches have a great view of the lake and lauch slipway for boats or kayak. Lake walk and outdoor gym
The owner even came out to say cheerio on leaving

 

[kimndon]

Don’t worry too much if you are in the South and taken ill. My father was on the Shannon on a boat trip with his Grandsons. He was taken really ill, rushed to hospital and the transferred him to a large hospital in the North. Apparently they share a lot of medical support. NB. You will just love Ireland - both north and south.

 

[POH]

I checked out the ferry for Ireland last week and could not believe how much they are.

Well we will have to wait until Boris builds his bridge/tunnel ?

 

[jp11]

I think, in terms of health insurance, if you encroached into the Republic of Ireland, and it's highly recommended, you'd never be far away from the NHS in Northern Ireland.
After exploring NI itself, Co Donegal is a natural extension to the tour. And if you're into waterways and lakes, as someone else has pointed out, you can extend into Co Lietrim via the Shannon Erne Waterway from Co Fermanagh. Waterways Ireland permit motorhomes to use the car parks at the moorings for free. EHU's and other services are a modest extra.

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[Brendan]

I'm always somewhat amused when I see quotes like these...

Be prepared for a shock - the ferries are not cheap.

and you're right they're not cheap

I checked out the ferry for Ireland last week and could not believe how much they are.

And I can't begin to pretend that it's a cheap crossing, given that I'm sitting in Belfast having paid in the order of £300 to travel in a car for the weekend.
But I don't believe it's significantly more expensive than crossing La Manche when comparing like with like.
Yes, it cost £300 booked two weeks ago, as opposed to £45 of Tesco vouchers for the Tunnel when booked 6 months ago.

I've just done sample bookings (Cairnryan/Belfast and Eurotunnel) for a sub 8m m/h with two passengers travelling late November for 10 days, travelling mid morning on mid priced bookings (a degree of flexibility and cancellation), the Tunnel worked out £24 more expensive (£354 as opposed to £330).

Sorry for the hijack, to the OP enjoy your trip, and as has been said already you can easily cross the border and stay very close to NI incase you need to nip back and avail of the services of the NHS.

 

[PG’s trips]

The ferries to NI are cheaper from Tuesday to Thursday as they offer the same price for a MH as a car. Also as a frequent visitor to my daughter's in England things in NI are generally a bit cheaper than England....car parking, campsite fees, eating out etc and it's a lot less crowded so don't be too put off by ferry charges. Don't forget Tesco vouchers either if you have them. Would agree if doing NI slip across to Donegal for a taste of rural Ireland...beaches, deserted mountains, country roads. Follow the coast from Malin to Killybegs.