Off to Northern Ireland and Donegal

[Debroos]

At last it looks like we can set off for our Ireland trip.
We usually end up in Kerry but are trying not to this year.
We have been to Co. Down but nowhere else up norf so really looking forward to it.
We will definitely do Giants Causeway and the glens.
We are not too bothered about going all the way round the coast as we get plenty of that at home.
Any tips on good inland destinations?
We like, nice views, heritage and archaeology stuff, and are very keen on traditional Irish music.
Any ideas gratefully received!

Also like the idea of coming back from west to east along the border counties...any suggestions there also gratefully received...

 

[Pauljenny]

Bon voyage.
Wait till Trevskoda picks this thread up.
With any luck, you'll get an escorted tour.
He speaks not with forked tongue. Take all of his advice and be prepared for at least a 3 month stay.

 

[delicagirl]

i know its on the coast but Dough Island is REALLY interesting - a fascinating folk village run by a brother and sister.

Glencolumnbkille has another interesting folk museum.

Ardara has good Donegal knitware outlets.

Arranmore island is lovely but very small - if you want to take the ferry across. There is a free shower and water available on the dockside at the ferry to Arranmore. Island Roads are sparse and tarmac may suddenly change to rough track here and there.. but it has an interesting historic connection with USA.

Glenveagh national park is beautiful also.....

 

[Pauljenny]

Come on Trev, don't keep the lady waiting!

Unusual for him to miss a chance of showing off his fascinating island.
Maybe we should send out a search party?

 

[malagaoth]

Not a lot of 'stunning' archaeology in NI the Giants Ring just outside Belfast is fair, Beaghmore I suppose (but be warned it will be a disapointment) it sounds really impressive but some of the stones arent much bigger than concrete building block (they move if you stand on them).

there is plenty of 'stuff' but most of it is in the south of NI around the border you would need to be a bit of a neolithic nerd to really appreciate most of it

Carrowmore is definately worth a visit but its not in NI its in Sligo so not too far from Donegal

 

[Minisorella]

I go to Donegal County every year in November with a group of girlfriends and we stay in a little cottage in the hills. I think my favourite place to visit is Glenveagh National Park... castle, good walking and gorgeous views. It has everything from wilderness to manicured lawns and lots of water of course... hard to avoid lakes or the sea in Donegal. Ards Friary is also worth a visit if you like walking. It's a spiritual centre and retreat now, sort of conference centre really, so not quite as romantic as it sounds but the walks are amazing and there's a coffee shop Have fun exploring.

This is the view from the cottage we stay in...

 

[delicagirl]

Not a lot of 'stunning' archaeology in NI the Giants Ring just outside Belfast is fair, Beaghmore I suppose (but be warned it will be a disapointment) it sounds really impressive but some of the stones arent much bigger than concrete building block (they move if you stand on them).

there is plenty of 'stuff' but most of it is in the south of NI around the border you would need to be a bit of a neolithic nerd to really appreciate most of it

Carrowmore is definately worth a visit but its not in NI its in Sligo so not too far from Donegal

Carrowmore is REALLY worth visiting..... and Sligo is a beautiful mountainous county - lacking in commercialism, - i particularly like Ben Bulbin mountain area - and Drumshanbo has a "Stylish Silage" competition festival week in which local community groups decorate silage bags into an eclectic and funny array of cartoon characters, places, marketing ideas, TV people etc etc... this little town comes alive when this is on.

Lough Allen close by has some isolated spots for wild camping and is unspoilt, quiet, calm and has some lovely walks.

i haves been to ROI three times and the north once and there is still a lot more to see.

 

[trevskoda]

Hi ,to be honest i would give t giants causeway a mis as a total rip of,it used to be free but parking charge is high and the centre rubbish ,though you can bypass it and just walk round.
The glens are nice up the antrim coast but apart from a few stops like Glenarm<free parking at marina> then on round to ballycastle,coast up round to portstewart/portrush & up round the top to magilligan where a ferry can be taken to republic.
From here try going over to butterfly/garden centre at letterkenny,from here go n56 to almost termon where on left r255 ,this run will be the best to nat/park to see grounds & castle,from here to dunlewey centre which is right below erigal mountain,it has shop and nice eatery plus some walks past the lake and a boat trip if thats you thing.
i almost forgot to mention Dunree military fort on inishowen but it is a bit out of the way,heres some picys,ps watch some of the smaller roads if biggish van,oh and do go into donegal town,parking is tight there and pay for,do enjoy your hols.

 

[delicagirl]

i like Donegal town... you can walk around it easily - drop laundry off in the service laundrette... go to the castle... have some lovely pub grub... and then wander round the fascinating cemetery on the river and enjoy....

 

[malagaoth]

Hi ,to be honest i would give t giants causeway a mis as a total rip of,it used to be free but parking charge is high and the centre rubbish ,though you can bypass it and just walk round.

It is still free! NT do their level best to make you think that you have to pay but you dont - you pay to use the visitors center NOT to visit the causeway (DONT go through the center! use the side gate)

Even the parking - which yes is extortionate - you can get sort of for free, drive through the carpark and head to the hotel if you are challenged tell them you are going for a meal then providing one of your party buys a meal in the hotel KEEP THE RECIEPT the parking is free the food isnt bad and you can dine for £10 a head or so

click on sample menu
>> Causeway Hotel Restaurant and Bar | The Causeway Hotel

 

[delicagirl]

parking last year in NT carpark was £9. But i believe there is a park and ride not too far away. NT "Heritage/Retail Centre" is outrageously expensive and full of marketing souvenirs/gifts for children/tourists and the ancient myths of Northern Ireland have been used to make money - sorry did i mean to make geology interesting. I guess kids will like the Giant Cartoon film they can see in the Center. The causeway itself was heaving with japanese tourists in the height of the season when i was there, but in the cool evening, when everyone has gone home, walking down to the Causeway and strolling past it along the bay is quite magical.

If you are into all these media-adventure type places - there is a Game of Thrones rope bridge walk attraction just along the coast also.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Looks like it’s going to be An existing trip for you then !!

Why don’t you take the opportunity to go South ?.

Lots n Lots of Places to go & Things To See, & The rolling Hills give way to the occasional cluster of Houses clumped together before giving way to the countryside again!
Wicklow mountains are a nice spot, Then carry on clockwise.

You might even bump into ‘Trevskoda’ Or ‘Hen on the Nest’ if you go inland a tad.
It’s a Beautiful place & A cpl of Weeks just isn’t enough when touring around.

I agree with earlier comments ref The Giants Causway,,,,Forget it, It’s Cra Corp Disappointing !

 

[V1nny]

At last it looks like we can set off for our Ireland trip.
We usually end up in Kerry but are trying not to this year.
We have been to Co. Down but nowhere else up norf so really looking forward to it.
We will definitely do Giants Causeway and the glens.
We are not too bothered about going all the way round the coast as we get plenty of that at home.
Any tips on good inland destinations?
We like, nice views, heritage and archaeology stuff, and are very keen on traditional Irish music.
Any ideas gratefully received!

Also like the idea of coming back from west to east along the border counties...any suggestions there also gratefully received...

For an archaeological site with stunning views in Donegal, just over the border from Derry off the road to Buncrana, I would recommend Grianan of Ailach hillfort.

And if you make it into Derry there are a few museums worth visiting; some focus on more recent history but the fully restored Tower museum is more to do with the longer history of the area (take a look on TripAdvisor for a full museum list), and the 17th Century City walls are worth a look.

 

[malagaoth]

I would recommend Grianan of Ailach hillfort.

Indeed and excellent example of an Iron age fort - or at least it was until they decided to 'restore' it (the Irish really should learn to leave this stuff well alone - what they did at Newgrange was little short of vandalism)

 

[Debroos]

Not a lot of 'stunning' archaeology in NI the Giants Ring just outside Belfast is fair, Beaghmore I suppose (but be warned it will be a disapointment) it sounds really impressive but some of the stones arent much bigger than concrete building block (they move if you stand on them).

there is plenty of 'stuff' but most of it is in the south of NI around the border you would need to be a bit of a neolithic nerd to really appreciate most of it

Carrowmore is definately worth a visit but its not in NI its in Sligo so not too far from Donegal

I am a bit of a neolithic nerd!

 

[Debroos]

Wow,
Can't wait to get going now!
That all sounds just great. I shall have to print it all out so we can make the best of it all.
We have a vw camper so small roads aren't too bad...

The reason I sounded like we wanted to stay north is that for several years now we have been to the southern half of the republic plus Connemara and Mayo so it seemed only right that we should visit the rest!

I had actually saved Trevskoda's last reply about visiting the north as I thought he might be getting fed up with repeating himself!

I think we will still try Giant's Causeway and take Delicagirl's advice and go in the evening...definitely not a fan of crowds. So glad we went to the Cloffs of Moher before it got commercialised and you could lie with your head hanging over the cliff!

Thanks again all...

 

[trevskoda]

Indeed and excellent example of an Iron age fort - or at least it was until they decided to 'restore' it (the Irish really should learn to leave this stuff well alone - what they did at Newgrange was little short of vandalism)

True but at least kids will be able to see it for the next eight thousand years if we are all still here.

 

[malagaoth]

I am a bit of a neolithic nerd!

OK then!
map references descriptions and some photos
County Antrim - selected monuments
County [London] Derry - selected monuments
County Donegal - selected monuments
knock yourself out!

 

[trevskoda]

Wow,
Can't wait to get going now!
That all sounds just great. I shall have to print it all out so we can make the best of it all.
We have a vw camper so small roads aren't too bad...

The reason I sounded like we wanted to stay north is that for several years now we have been to the southern half of the republic plus Connemara and Mayo so it seemed only right that we should visit the rest!

I had actually saved Trevskoda's last reply about visiting the north as I thought he might be getting fed up with repeating himself!

I think we will still try Giant's Causeway and take Delicagirl's advice and go in the evening...definitely not a fan of crowds. So glad we went to the Cloffs of Moher before it got commercialised and you could lie with your head hanging over the cliff!

Thanks again all...

As long as thats all you hang over the edge things will be ok,forgot to say make sure you do the famine village at dough island,small shop in cardonagh town at petrol station before it to top up fridge and a nice cafe upstairs for i good fry up.

 

[delicagirl]

I am a bit of a neolithic nerd!

so am i !!! i also loved Port Magee Cliffs.... accessed via a farmers yard with good coastal cliff safety barriers, and wonderful sea cliffs... as good as Moher and MASSES cheaper....