haleyjoy

There are 6 of us going to visit my daughter, who is studying abroad in Dublin, this April. Half of us have toured southern Ireland previously. I was planning on taking the train to Killarney (we only have 3-4 nights out of Dublin) and renting a car there and touring that area. I just saw a brochure on Belfast and Derry and wondered about heading in that direction. Does anyone have any thoughts about venturing north versus seeing Killarney, Blarney Castle, and maybe Dingle. Thank you

Songdoc

Belfast is "okay" -- but I adore N. Ireland's Antrim Coast. If it's scenery you want, I'd recommend that. If you're considering that area -- and self-catering -- check out the cottages at Limepark. I love it there.

But ... the Killarney area (although not the town itself); Vaughn's Gap; and Dingle are fantastic, too.

Don't know how to choose. But the trip south that you described would entail a lot of driving.

haleyjoy

Thank you. That is exactly what I was wondering. We are terribly impatient on very long drives and we want to see the scenic coast as well as the countryside. There will be 7 of us in a car (including a 7 yr old, two 20 year olds and four 50 yr olds). I would also love to show my 7 yr old some medieval history. I saw that Derry has retained its stone wall. Do you think its worth driving there?

jaja

3-4 nights isn't a lot to head from Dublin all the way to Derry with the Antrim coast in between and it would be a lot of time in the car.

If you do decide to do that, may I recommend Ballycarton House http://ballycartonhouse.com . Just out of Limavady so convenient to Derry and the Antrim coast. We were there three nights; one day to explore up the coast and back and one day for the Inishowen 100. The b&b is just beautiful and Patricia a charming and helpful hostess. She has laundry facilities and a computer for guests' use on the honor system (one euro for 30 minutes if I remember).

Also in Derry you can book a guided tour of the Walls in advance, or stop by the tourist information office and hope that one is making up. We lucked into one that wasn't scheduled and were glad we had the experience.

jaja

You also may take bus tours from Dublin of the Antrim coast line. That might be more or less stressful than driving yourselves.

In my last post I said you could hope for a tour making up....I believe that the tourist information office has regularly scheduled tours on the hour or half hour (it's been a while since we went).

Sandylan

I live mostly in Dublin and sometimes in Nice,France.I like to visit different parts of Ireland for weekends. I would give 5 stars to Killarney/Dingle area and 3 stars to Northern Ireland. Killarney town has more hotel rooms than all of Northern Ireland. Driving from Dublin to Killarney takes about 3 hours with 130 miles of motorway and 60 miles of average road.Best time to travel is early - it is bright by 6am in summer and dark by 10pm.
The train from Dublin to Killarney takes about 3.5 hours,usually with a change in Mallow. See details at www.irishrail.ie and book early online to get good value.

egnolive

I think you could spend a full and enjoyable three days in the Killarny area. There is so much to do and see in the area, as your probably know. Adding Dingle would be pushing it in my opinion, but maybe I just prefer a slower pace of travel.

Northern Ireland is wonderful too and perhaps might suit your group, particularly since many have already spent some time in southern Ireland. While I've not been to Belfast, Derry was very interesting historically and Antrim is just spectacularly beautiful. If you go to Derry, check out the musuem about Bloody Sunday. Very moving.

haleyjoy

Thank you so much! I think we have decided to go north for less traveling time and no car. I was looking at the following itinerary (borrowed from Rick Steve's) and wondered what you think.
The first two and last two nights in Dublin and in between:
Day 1: Train from Dublin to Derry (changing trains in Belfast)
Day 2: Tour Derry and take a train to Portrush
Day 3: Tour Antrim Coast
Day 4: Train to Belfast and take the train back to Dublin in the evening.
I would love to see the history in Derry but I'm wondering if I should skip it and spend more time on the Antrim Coast. Also is Portrush the best town to work out of to see the coast if we don't have a car?
Thanks for all your help!

egnolive

I stayed in Portrush in September 2006. Although it is pleasant enough and convenient, I would look to stay in another place if I were returning to the area. In my opinion it was an old holiday seaside town that lost some of its luster, but perhaps that has changed or it is different in the spring. You got some good recommendations already for other areas.

Personally I prefer renting a car so you can go on your own schedule and see places that might not be easily accessible by public transport.

As for Derry v. Antrim Coast, I would definately rent a car if you opted to see more of the coast. But only you know whether you prefer the historical or scenic beauty.

egnolive

I stayed in Portrush in September 2006. Although it is pleasant enough and convenient, I would look to stay in another place if I were returning to the area. In my opinion it was an old holiday seaside town that lost some of its luster, but perhaps that has changed or it is different in the spring. You got some good recommendations already for other areas.

Personally I prefer renting a car so you can go on your own schedule and see places that might not be easily accessible by public transport.

As for Derry v. Antrim Coast, I would definately rent a car if you opted to see more of the coast. But only you know whether you prefer the historical or scenic beauty.

egnolive

Sorry for the double post. My computer and/or Fodors is working very slowly this morning.

haleyjoy

Thank you so much!
That is great info. I agree that having a car would be much more convenient.
They have passenger vans that hold 7 people, maybe we'll rent that.
Thanks again for all the info!