I am doing a lot of research, but would love to hear your favorite places and lodgings from personal experience. We'll have a car---have been to lovely Ireland, but not Northern Ireland. I know it it small and can be visited in just a few days..but what are your personal favorite places? Thanks!...

(This trip is combined with our 6th visit to Scotland. We pretty well know Scotland, and have favorite places there, but are always open to other peoples experiences and accommodations.It's fun to learn about new things.

The Antrim coast, Giant's Causeway & Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is my favorite area and I generally stay near Bushmills although last time I stayed near Ballycastle. Enniskillen is lovely with its lakes, islands, caves and wooded estates. Hillsborough (south of Belfast) is my favorite little town. For off the beaten path I like the Ards Peninsula. You could easily spend a week there and not see it all. Downside is many historic houses, gardens, etc. are only open on weekends in the off season. If you are going in July or August everything will be open.

Thanks so much IrishEyes! It's helpful.
I'm topping this in hope someone else will give me some ideas.
Fodors is so popular that the posts slip past 50 VERY quickly.

I wonder how many people browse to 100 or more, or do you usually stop at 50.??? (I usually do!)

Bushmills Inn Hotel in Bushmills, County Antrim was one of my favorite hotels in Ireland during a 12-day golfing trip. I would recommend it to the extent if that budget doesn't work, skip somewhere else to stay here.

The Rope Bridge is amazing.

In general, I loved Norther Ireland - felt much more unspoiled than the South did.

Another vote for Bushmill's Inn. I stayed there twice last year. It's such a great place to stay. The service is fantastic, the food is excellent, and the place is just bursting at the seams with character.

And I'll put in a plug for my favorite cafe--Picnic in Killyleagh, County Down. Killyleagh is a small village on the shores of Strangford Lough. It's about 25 miles south of Belfast. Picnic is becoming pretty well known. It's tiny, so you might have to get your food to go, but it's well worth any trouble you have to go to.

Across the street is Ireland's oldest privately inhabited castle. You can stay the castle, but I haven't been into the rooms, so can't give a recommendation. The Dufferin Arms pub is a few doors down, and every Saturday at 3 p.m there is an open music session. Local musicians get together and just play. It's tough to get a seat, so it's best to go early and have lunch, and just stay on.

About a mile out of Killyleagh is Delamont Country Park. There are nice walks through the park--some take you along the lough. There's also a fantastic playground, and a kid's train.

I just returned from 12 days in spectacular N. Ireland. Be sure to read my trip report posted 3/1. The scenery was every bit as beautiful in the North as it is in the Republic -- if not more so. For breathtaking scenery, don't miss the Giant's Causeway, and the coastal areas surrounding it. Glenariff Forest Park in the Glens was beautiful as well. Murlough Bay, Ballintoy Harbour, Dunluce Castle, . . . read the report. You'll have a GREAT time.

Hi Mari,

Hillsborough is my favorite village also. It is small but packs a lot in
Castle, Church, Fort, Lake and courthouse not to mention 4 well known pubs (The Plough, Hillside, Richies and Marquis of Downshire - first 2 the best IMO).

A few other places that I like

County Down
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra
Crawfordsburn and the walk along the sea front to Bangor

Donaghdee and Grace Neils pub (Oldest in NI - I think)

Mount Stewart - beautiful grounds and country house

Portaferry and take the ferry across the lough to Strangford (about 5 mins).

Castle Ward - if you like opera this happens in June and this year it is La Boheme and Bohemian Girl. You dres up in evening wear and either bring a picnic or use their outside catering facilities.

Saul and Downpatrick - St Patricks tomb (allegedly)and replica of his first church

The Mountains of Mourne

This is an area of outstanding beauty and if you like hiking the walks are fantastic. The Mourne wall walk is 22 miles uphill mountain walking but you can do short bits of it (on a good day you can see the Isle of Man and across Carlingford Lough). Tollymore forest Part. Rostrevor Forest park and Castlewellen Park are all lovely.


Fermanagh and Tyrone

The Lakes have already been mentioned and gorgeous.

The Ulster American Folk Park - climb aboard an imaginary boat and sail to New York!

Co Armagh

Armagh City - the Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.

Co Antrim

What more can I say and would certainly recommend the Bushmills Inn if budget allows.

You could certainly spend more than 2 days in Northern Ireland.

Let me know if you want any of the above websites.

Helen