I think I have lost my mind. Got a great deal on tickets, had no intention on going to Ireland this year, but couldn't pass on the price. So, we're off to Belfast May 19 for 7 days.

So far, after researching this site and others, I've come up with the following

Day 1 - Belfast
Day 2 - Killyleagh
Day 3-4 Bushmills (surrounding area)
Day 5-6 Need some help here please, thought maybe Donegal area
Day 7 - Belfast

I estimate driving time from Donegal to Belfast at about 3 hrs. 112 miles, does this sound right?

We prefer staying in coastal towns, enjoy rugged scenery, love going to old pubs. Prefer not to drive all day long. I can't seem to find as much information on NI as there is on SW, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

t

Seems I've really landed in it. There is a North West 200 Cycle weekend happening next weekend and all the places I have tried for accomodation in and around Bushmills are booked.

Any help on B&B's or guesthouses in the Antrim Coast area would be appreciated. We would prefer to stay right in the town or village, but from my research, it doesn't appear that there are alot of options.

What started out as an exciting "let's just go" is turning into a "what have I done"

Cheers

The web address for the NI Tourist Board but it isn't great. http://www.nitb.com/
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/

Why Killyleagh?

There are lots of B&B's around Bushmills seach foders as there have been lots of posts.

Where are you going in Donegal?
I ask because it could take longer than 4 hours.
North Donegal you go through Derry South Donegal Enniskillen (which is lovely).

I like the Mournes, great walking and it's coastal. Newcastle is a bit of a dump but the surrounding area is very very scenic.

I also love the North Down Coast and Crawfordsburn is a beautiful village (the Olde Inn dates back to the 16th century and has a thatched roof), it is quite residental though which might not be to your taste.

Portaferry is around the coast a bit from Killyleagh and much nicer, good pubs there as well.

Will try and find out some info for you regarding B&B's for that period.
Will see if I can find out.

Jewing,
Found these on Yell.com but the B&B's I know nothing about so they are not recommendations, however they may be able to help. The hotels on the other hand are all very good and they have web addresses.
Portcanan House
11, Priestland Rd, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8QP
Tel: 028 2073 2057

Craig Park B & B
24, Carnbore Rd, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8YF
Tel: 028 2073 2496

Valley View
6a, Ballyclogh Rd, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8TU
Tel: 028 2074 1608

Craigalappan Country House
26, Craigalappan Road, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8XY
Tel: 028 2073 2027

Manor House B & B
51, Beach Rd, Portballintrae, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8RT
Tel: 028 2073 2002

Bayview Hotel
http://www.bayviewhotelni.com/
2, Bayhead Rd, Portballintrae, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8RZ
Bushmills Inn Hotel
http://www.bushmillsinn.com/Files/Bushmills.htm

The Smugglers Inn
http://www.smugglers-inn.co.uk/Thesmugglersinn.htm

Causeway Hotel
http://www.giants-causeway-hotel.com/

Magherabuoy Hotel
Portrush, BT56 8NX
Tel: 028 7082 3507

Do try and find somthing on the North Coast it really is very special.

If you haven't decided where to go in Donegal my favorites are
North Dunfanaghy - very rugged
South Portnoo and Killybegs

Have a good trip

Helen

Thanks for the suggestions Cambe.

Killyleagh, no reason other than it has been recommended a couple of times on this board, and it looked like a neat village. I will take a look at Portaferry.

I have checked the boards, and tourism website for B&B's in and around Bushmills, and sent out tons of e-mails trying for reservations, but so far no luck for next week.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, the best laid plans and all that, but I will regroup. Onward and upward.

I just have to rethink my itinerary.

Thanks for your help

Cheers

Thanks Helen!

Posted before I saw your second post. I have contacted most of these hotels, but you have given me a couple I had not found, I will try them and keep my fingers crossed.

Jewing,
The North West 200 is on the 21st and only lasts for 1 day (I think) so why don't you change your itineray around and go to Donegal first and then The North Coast

Helen;

I know the race is only 1 day, but I just got another "no room at the inn" reply, and they all say the same thing, we're fully booked from the 19 to the 29th for the race. Go figure.

I'm stymied.

We could head South, but been there done that.

I haven't even started researching Donegal area because I've been stuck on trying to get something for Antrim Coast. Can you help get me started?

Thanks

Sorry, just re-read your previous post, thanks for the suggestion, will check out Dunfanaghy and Killybegs and decide North or South.

Maybe something will come available later in the week.

Cheers

You can't miss the North Coast!!

I will do my best.

Helen

Jewing,
The Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy has accommodation for 4 people. The cost is £25 per person per night and their web address is [email protected]
http://www.fullertonarms.co.uk/index.htm

Helen;

Many thanks for all of your efforts!

Fullerton Arms is one of the e-mails requesting rooms I have sent, still awaiting reply. I will call them tonight, I figure 12 p.m. or 1:00 a.m. my time will be about 7 a.m or 8 a.m. over there, so hopefully I will get to speak to someone and be able to book.

I can't thank you enough for your gracious time and effort.

Do you live in NI?

Helen;

Mission accomplished! Staying at the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle.

We revised our plans:

Day 1 Belfast
Day 2&3 Derry/Inishowen
Day 4&5 Ballycastle and area
Day 6 yet to be determined, but looking at Ards Peninsula
Day 7 Belfast

Thanks Helen for all your help

I'm delighted things have worked out for you. You are wise to leave the North Coast until after the North West as it will be very crowded.

If you do the Ards Penninsula I would suggest you travel along the Coast road until you reach Larne (wonderful scenery) and then follow the links for Belfast (M2) When you reach the end of the motorway take the link road at to Holywood. From there you can go around the coast through Crawfordsburn, Bangor, Donaghdee, Greyabbey. It's a bit of round about but a nice drive. When going back to Belfast go to Portaferry and take the ferry (5mins) across the lough to Strangford and back to Belfast that way. Strangford is a lovely little village and Castle Ward is a very nice Stately Home owed by teh Tourist Board.
I am fom NI (Belfast) but won't be able to help ypo much with traditional pus & music as its not my scene. However if you need any more help with Belfast just ask as I know it well and IMO is a great city.

Have a super trip and enjoy NI

We did decide on the Ards Peninsula, booked into the Narrows Hotel in Portaferry, will take your suggested route.

We are staying at the Europa Hotel in Belfast and will probably take either a City Bus Tour or the Black Cab Tour, I imagine they are similar routes. We won't be able to do Belfast justice in the short amount of time we have, but we are really looking forward to seeing the city. I suspect it will end up being a place we return to often.

Now that our itinerary is nailed down, I can spend my time doing more research on each place we are going, instead of asking a million open ended questions on here.

If I have any specific questions, I will probably rely on you again.

Again, many thanks for your help.

Jane

Hi Jane,
The Narrows is a lovely hotel and you should be very comfortable there (good restaurant also).

I would go for the Open Top Bus Tour as I have heard some bad reports about the black taxis (not giving much in the way of information)

Do go across the road from The Europa to 'The Crown' pub (Old Victorian)

If you have time and like shopping check out the 'Lisburn Road' (nice up-market shops and trendy bars and restaurants)

A few restaurants if your interested

Event, Lisburn Road (Wine bar/Rest)
Deanes Deli, Bedford Street (wine bar great food)
Deanes Restaurant, Bedford Street (Pricy but super food)
Nicks Warehouse, Hill Street (Super food & reasonable price)
James St South Restaurant (pricy but good food)
Shu, Lisburn Road (good food and reasonable price)
Bourbon, Across the road from the Europa (American with very good food and reasonable)
Tatu, Lisburn Road (Wine bar, can be noisy with lots of young people but good atmosphere)

Have a super trip

Day 5 and 6, I suggest staying in Cushendall and seeing the Glenariff Forest Park. Take the waterfall walk in the park, it's simply breathtaking.

I recommend the Meadows B&B. If you are heading toward Belfast it makes sense to continue along the Glens of Antrim (the loveliest of coasts).

Another tip on sightseeing. Try to see Mount Stewart House & Gardens. They are truly lovely.

Before I saw that you were now sorted, I was going to suggest something qite different if NI accommodation was so difficult. Get a cheap easyjet flight from Belfast to somewhere else (e.g. Edinburgh) - www.easyjet.com.