after 7 days in Northern Ireland - where next for 3-4 days
#21
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By the way --
My wife's preference is Westport, but even she thinks that Westport in August likely doesn't meet your 'less crowded' criteria -- Westport can be a busy, lively town.
My photos link should give you access to my Donegal '07 AND Galway / Mayo pictures from '08, so see for yourself ....
Bob
My wife's preference is Westport, but even she thinks that Westport in August likely doesn't meet your 'less crowded' criteria -- Westport can be a busy, lively town.
My photos link should give you access to my Donegal '07 AND Galway / Mayo pictures from '08, so see for yourself ....
Bob
#22
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wqill I find your pictures in your Ireland trip post? I will be starting a new thread when I focus on the Scotland portion of our trip but curious if you have any comments on the outer Hebrides. We will be spending a total of 4 weeks in Scotland and Ireland but it seems to be shaping up as a choice between County Donegal and the Outer Hebrides. We already have plans for close to 2.5 weeks with family to visit Northern Ireland and the Scottish highlands. We are now planning the 1 side trip cause 2 is staring to look unlikely. ( I had originally thought I would do both County Donegal and Outer Hebrides but now starting to feel way too rushed)
#23
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The link is in the post, but I'll add it again. Look under the 'SETS' for the others.
www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/
Haven't done the Outer Hebrides. Other than a brisk walk, station to station through central Glasgow and the short stroll from the train to the Stranraer Ferry Port, we spent all of our three days in Scotland in Edinbourough and Roslin.
Bob
www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/
Haven't done the Outer Hebrides. Other than a brisk walk, station to station through central Glasgow and the short stroll from the train to the Stranraer Ferry Port, we spent all of our three days in Scotland in Edinbourough and Roslin.
Bob
#24
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Hi Blanche -
If I were you I'd go to County Donegal over Westport because of the time constraints (although we do love Westport.)
Donegal has stunning scenery and friendly small towns. Fewer tourists than elsewhere. For some reason I prefer the scenery there to the Antrim Coast. I also prefer the smokefree pubs in the Republic! In Donegal I'd follow Bob's list of Glenveigh National Park & Glencolmkille. If you like gardens, the one at Glenveigh is delightful. Slieve League cliffs are beautiful if a little scary. We spent a day on Inishowen and I was disappointed. We liked Malin a great deal but otherwise there's been a lot of holiday home development on the peninsula.
Westport - the pubs there are memorable good fun. Great music, very lively crowd with lots of young people singing, and wonderful day trips nearby: Clare Island, Croagh Patrick, Achille Island. We spent a week there in August a few years ago and we heard no other American voices.
I've not been to Scotland so I can't compare - what a wonderful dilemna to have!
If I were you I'd go to County Donegal over Westport because of the time constraints (although we do love Westport.)
Donegal has stunning scenery and friendly small towns. Fewer tourists than elsewhere. For some reason I prefer the scenery there to the Antrim Coast. I also prefer the smokefree pubs in the Republic! In Donegal I'd follow Bob's list of Glenveigh National Park & Glencolmkille. If you like gardens, the one at Glenveigh is delightful. Slieve League cliffs are beautiful if a little scary. We spent a day on Inishowen and I was disappointed. We liked Malin a great deal but otherwise there's been a lot of holiday home development on the peninsula.
Westport - the pubs there are memorable good fun. Great music, very lively crowd with lots of young people singing, and wonderful day trips nearby: Clare Island, Croagh Patrick, Achille Island. We spent a week there in August a few years ago and we heard no other American voices.
I've not been to Scotland so I can't compare - what a wonderful dilemna to have!
#25
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Rosetravels, N Ireland has been smoke free since 1st April 2007.
Blanche, I think the outer Hebrides are even more barren than Donegal but I personally don't like either. Do remember that nothing is open in the outer Hebs on a Sunday, this is not the case in Donegal.
If you really want a change of scenery I would suggest Co Sligo and Co Fermanagh. The lakes would be very different to the North Antrim coast.
When visiting the Ulster Folk Museum (highly recommended) I would recommend a slight detour to Mahee Island and Nendrum Monastery. It is very close and you will see all the little islands on Strangford Lough. Most of them are private with just one house on them but you see all of these little dots on the lough. Nendrum is IMHO magical if you see it on a sunny day. Before going home call at Baloo House for dinner. The chef there was the N Ireland winner for a special meal for the Queen's 55th Aniversity.
Enjoy your visit
Blanche, I think the outer Hebrides are even more barren than Donegal but I personally don't like either. Do remember that nothing is open in the outer Hebs on a Sunday, this is not the case in Donegal.
If you really want a change of scenery I would suggest Co Sligo and Co Fermanagh. The lakes would be very different to the North Antrim coast.
When visiting the Ulster Folk Museum (highly recommended) I would recommend a slight detour to Mahee Island and Nendrum Monastery. It is very close and you will see all the little islands on Strangford Lough. Most of them are private with just one house on them but you see all of these little dots on the lough. Nendrum is IMHO magical if you see it on a sunny day. Before going home call at Baloo House for dinner. The chef there was the N Ireland winner for a special meal for the Queen's 55th Aniversity.
Enjoy your visit
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#27
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Bob .. thanks for the pics link. I see you are real shutterbug like my husband ... lots of pictures
rosetravels: appreciate the added info on Wesport
cambe: had not heard of Nendrum .. will look into this as well as Mahee Island. I love to eat so will keep Baloo House in mind. Not too sure what to make of the word "barren" but at a minimum it certainly sounds like both areas meet my criteria of not too crowded and maybe a bit too much
rosetravels: appreciate the added info on Wesport
cambe: had not heard of Nendrum .. will look into this as well as Mahee Island. I love to eat so will keep Baloo House in mind. Not too sure what to make of the word "barren" but at a minimum it certainly sounds like both areas meet my criteria of not too crowded and maybe a bit too much