My husband and I are traveling with 2 other couples for 2 weeks in August to Ireland. We will be in Northern Ireland for only 3 days and 2 nights. Where would you suggest we stay (city or b&b suggestions) in order to have access to day trips around northern Ireland. We would like to stay in the same place both nights and branch out from there.

If you want to stay in southen Northern Ireland (is that an oxymoron?) consider Portaferry. It is a lovely town on the water with a couple of wonderful hotels and restaurants. Mount Stewart Gardens and (for the guys) Ardglass or Kirkistown Castle Golf course are near. In the north of Northern Ireland consider anywhere from Ballintoy to Castlerock. There are many sights to me and adventures to have.

A small town would be lovely. I've stayed in Belfast several times and easily made day trips (albeit long days) all the way north to Giant's Causeway (do not miss that sight!).

Have fun.

Thank you for the responses. I am going to look into Portferry. We would like to go to Belfast but not stay there. I can't wait to go!

We stayed at the Bushmills Inn (hotel?) in Bushmills and loved it... v. convenient for exploring little towns, golfing, Giant's Causeway, etc.

I stayed in the little village of Cushendun on the NE coast. It's on the Torr Rd which is one of the great drives in NI. The road is narrow but well maintained. The glens of antrim (Glenariff is probably the most popular) are right up the road and there is easy access to most things along the North coast.

Bushmill's Inn usually gets very good reviews and it's location is great for the causway, Dunluce and Carrick-a-Rede. That's a great choice also. I also stayed at the Crockatinny guesthouse between Ballintoy and Ballycastle. Incredible views and a beautiful place. http://crockatinney.ndo.co.uk/

Bill

We stayed (Nov. 06) on IslandMagee (yes, it's all one word), a little island, accessible by car over a little bridge. It's in County Antrim and just so lovely. We easily moved up and down the coast each day. We stayed in a wonderful B&B that I don't believe is still in business because I just tried to google it and didn't find it. But the area is very pretty. We can't wait to go back!

I love the Bushmills Inn. I'd stay there one night, and then drive down to Belfast, spend the day, and then drive about 25 miles south to Killyleagh (not far from Portaferry. I always liked the name of the Portaferry Ferry). Stay at the Dufferin Coaching Inn. Not anywhere near as nice as the Bushmills Inn, but you are next door to a great pub, in the shadows of Ireland's oldest castle still in private hands, and a few doors down from Picnic, one of the best delis you'll find in Ireland.

You are also a stone's throw from the Strangford Lough and 2 miles from Delamont Country Park.