sweetbippity

Hi,

I was here last year getting advice for an Ireland trip, and it looks like I'm headed back! My plans for a Scotland trip with the same friend I'd gone to Ireland with fell through, but apparently my constant subliminal messaging with travel shows and trip stories finally got through to my boyfriend, and he agreed to go with me. Yay!

We're flying into and out of Belfast because it's super cheap, but we're heading down to Dublin the day we land because I've already seen what I want to see in Belfast, and we'll be spending the night there before we fly home anyway. We'll have 13 nights total and we'll be renting a car once we leave Dublin

The rough plan so far is:
Dublin for 3 nights
Westport for 3 nights
Donegal Town for 3 nights
Belfast for 1 night

I was going to insert something for the last leg, in between Donegal Town and Belfast, but then I realized that I could conceivably insert it anywhere during the trip. I had thought maybe Derry would be a good choice...but I'm not sure.

So, your advice is appreciated. We prefer towns and cities, which offer enough to keep us occupied for 3 nights, including day trips to nearby sights, whether they be scenic or historical. For instance, we'll enjoy the shops and pubs in Westport and Donegal Town, and use those places as bases to tour the Connemara region and Slieve League, Glencolumcille, etc.

If we were to go to Derry, what would make an interesting day trip from there? I was thinking of driving along the Antrim Coast, but we could do that on our way to Belfast for our last night. I've seen it, but I thought it was breathtaking and think my boyfriend would love it too.

I'd like to go somewhere I haven't been, so that leaves out Armagh, Galway, Cork, Killarney, Kilkenny - not that those places wouldn't require a significant detour anyway, hehe.

Now that this has turned into a novel, I'll end it here - thanks in advance for any advice.

wojazz3

The antrim coast, both north and east is absolutely beautiful. You could easily fill time in there. Derry is just one possibility and there are smaller villages villages all along the coast. I've stayed outside Ballycastle at a place called Crockatinney http://crockatinney.ndo.co.uk/ which is in a beautiful location.

In addition to the Antrim coast, the north Donegal coast is fantastic too, including the Inishowen and (much smaller) Fanad peninsulas. The Letterkenny area would be a good place to start looking for accommodation there.

Bill

12perfectdays

Really enjoyed the Westport area and have completely fallen in love with Sligo- so much so that our next trip I plan on a week just between Sligo and Donegal!

What about adding the 3 days between Westport and Donegal and checking into Sligo? There is quite a bit to see and do there- here are a few links...
http://www.discoversligo.com/

http://www.sligotown.net/index.php/39

http://www.sligotourism.ie/

and this is only about 30 miles away for a day trip...
http://www.marblearchcaves.net/

Good luck-
Dawn

itsmlf

Give some thought to Donaghdee on the coast...the most wonderful little village on the sea. Its just south of Bangor

rosetravels

There are so many options it would be hard to go wrong!

Sligo is a great idea. Derry is a good day trip, I don't see it for 3 nights. I think I would either spend 3 days in Sligo or add 3 days to Donegal in another location.

Bill recommends Northern Donegal and that's a good idea. I wouldn't recommend Inishowen, but near Letterkenny would be nice, or to the northwest of there, along the coast is fun. From Letterkenny you can visit Derry and Glenveigh and so many stunning areas.

sweetbippity

Thank you all so much for your advice. Turns out the flights got changed and we're only able to go for 9 nights, so we're sticking with the initial itinerary, minus one night in Donegal.

I can't wait to go back!