My wife and I will land at Dublin from Australia, our first, but brief visit. We would like to get a brief taste of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a week, en route to Dumfries in Scotland for a short stay. We are thinking of 2-3days in Dublin, 2-3days in the west, eg Galway, and 2-3 days in Northern Ireland, although it might be simpler this trip to omit the west and add a day or two to the other places. I suppose the cheapest transport is by bus. We are looking for ideas as to where to stay and things to see, including historical. Have heard of paddywaggon?? , and would be interested to get its web site address.

The Causeway Coast is a very interesting part of Northern Ireland. The town Portrush is a convenient base. I think you may take a bus to the Giant´s Causeway (basalt columns), but it is a very beautiful walk (3 hours) along the coast, past the ruins of Dunluce Castle. Bushmill, the oldest whiskey destillery in the world, is nearby. <BR>www.discovernorthernireland.com

I would only spend enough time in Dublin to recover from jet lag. Of the great European cities, well, it is not one. The Irish countryside is so much more interesting. Since you'll be in Scotland, go to Edinburgh. It's much more interesting. I suggest renting a car. You'll want to get out so many times to look around. <BR><BR>Head up the coast through Belfast and Carrick Fergus and continue to take the coast road north from there. Drive into one of the Glens of Antrim. Gleanarriff for example, has a beautiful waterfall. You'll see a sign for an inn as you approach the waterfalls and one of the most famous falls is right behind the Inn. I didn't go into the forest park from the entrance, just because I spent plenty of time wandering around the falls and was getting tired and need to find my B&B. We stayed at a B&B just outside of Cushendun on the Torr Road. The Toor Road drive is a must! On a clear day, it looks like you could reach out and touch Scotland.<BR><BR>If you go to Giants Causway, go to see the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and cross the bridge onto the Island. It's great, but get there early to avoid any conflict with arriving tour busses. It takes forever for 50 people to cross that bridge. Dunluce Castle is interesting and you can see the Wishing arch as you look west from the castle along the coast. It's more photogenic in the morning when the sun is hitting it.<BR><BR>The Connemara is a beautiful area, but if you are up north, don't miss Co. Donegal. Much less visited and absolutely spectacular.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>Bill

Hi Jim<BR>We have never been to Northern Ireland but from what I have heard the above poster has given good advice. We have been to Dublin and Galway and while we enjoyed being there, the country-side in the west is the best and what I would recommend. ie: Dingle Peninsula is beautiful and Slea Head Drive spectatular!

Jim... We took the trip from Dumfries through the Northeast coast of Ireland... We loved the Glenariff Forest Park, be sure to take the "Waterfall Walk"... we were rescued by school staff at Waterfoot (we were in a gale storm, and looked pitiful), to 79 Coast Road,Cushhendall, "The Meadows" B&B,which is an award winning place run by Anne Carrey. This area of Antrim is amazing. I didn't find the Giant's Causeway that breathtaking, but Glenariff... now we're talking! Have a grand time.

What are you talking about? Dublin is great!

Comfort Hotel in Portrush is nice, and its location is very central. <BR><BR>Please feel free to ask me any other questions about this area, as I live here!<BR><BR>Angela