Northern Ireland 6 days
Oct 10th, 2011, 05:11 PM
#1
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Northern Ireland 6 days
We have 6 days Oct 25-30 inclusive.
Renting car in Dublin and itinerary is: Newgrange, Giants Causeway,Bushmill,Enniskillen,Donegal,Westport,Con g and back to Dublin.
Can this be done in 6 days (5 nights)?
Any suggestions to pass up on or add on?
Any B&B recommendations would be great.
Our last night (29th) I want to stay in Ashford Castle...is that worth it?
We are 2 adults.
Renting car in Dublin and itinerary is: Newgrange, Giants Causeway,Bushmill,Enniskillen,Donegal,Westport,Con g and back to Dublin.
Can this be done in 6 days (5 nights)?
Any suggestions to pass up on or add on?
Any B&B recommendations would be great.
Our last night (29th) I want to stay in Ashford Castle...is that worth it?
We are 2 adults.
Oct 10th, 2011, 07:50 PM
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Sorry, but there is no way you can fit this into 6 days/5 nights. Short answer is no.
You might go Dublin, Newgrange, Giant's Causeway, Enniskillen and back to Dublin.
Or Dublin, south end of Co. Donegal, Westport, Cong and Shannon if your tickets aren't already purchased or can be changed.
You will still be in the car a LOT in 6 days. If you must fly into and out of Dublin I would recommend one day for Newgrange, one for Trim and environs, then south to Glendalough, Powerscourt and Avoca.
Remember our rule of 35 mph and look at that map again. Pare down the itinerary and we will be delighted to help with accommodation recco's. You can't stay in Ashford Castle on your last night if you are flying out of Dublin and probably not if flying out of Shannon unless you have a very late flight.
You might go Dublin, Newgrange, Giant's Causeway, Enniskillen and back to Dublin.
Or Dublin, south end of Co. Donegal, Westport, Cong and Shannon if your tickets aren't already purchased or can be changed.
You will still be in the car a LOT in 6 days. If you must fly into and out of Dublin I would recommend one day for Newgrange, one for Trim and environs, then south to Glendalough, Powerscourt and Avoca.
Remember our rule of 35 mph and look at that map again. Pare down the itinerary and we will be delighted to help with accommodation recco's. You can't stay in Ashford Castle on your last night if you are flying out of Dublin and probably not if flying out of Shannon unless you have a very late flight.
Oct 11th, 2011, 01:42 AM
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jebb, it will be a bit rushed but doable. Remember the days are short at the end of October.
If you are arriving in Dublin after a long flight I would not go any further than Newgrange on the first day.
Newgrange to Bushmills/Giants Causeway will take about 2.5 hours. The road is mostly motorway. However if the weather is good I would suggest that you take the coastal route from Larne to Bushmills as is is a lovely drive. This however, will add another 1 hour to your journey.
Bushmills to Enniskillen again about 2.5 hours, you will be travelling on country roads but they are quite good.
Not sure about Donegal. Although you will skirt it the really nice parts IMO are along the coast and I don't see how you would fit this in.
Enniskillen to Westport/Cong about 2.5hrs.
Ashford Castle to Dublin will be a long drive I would allow 4 hours.
Can be done but it depends whether or not you like a rushed pace. I do but I know others who don't.
If you are arriving in Dublin after a long flight I would not go any further than Newgrange on the first day.
Newgrange to Bushmills/Giants Causeway will take about 2.5 hours. The road is mostly motorway. However if the weather is good I would suggest that you take the coastal route from Larne to Bushmills as is is a lovely drive. This however, will add another 1 hour to your journey.
Bushmills to Enniskillen again about 2.5 hours, you will be travelling on country roads but they are quite good.
Not sure about Donegal. Although you will skirt it the really nice parts IMO are along the coast and I don't see how you would fit this in.
Enniskillen to Westport/Cong about 2.5hrs.
Ashford Castle to Dublin will be a long drive I would allow 4 hours.
Can be done but it depends whether or not you like a rushed pace. I do but I know others who don't.
Oct 11th, 2011, 02:54 AM
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From the Causeway I would head to Donegal via Derry rather than Enniskillen.
Cong in October? Sorry but I am not a fan of Ashford Castle at the best of times because there is nothing else there. Yes the grounds are a big plus in Summer but October when even the hawk walk could be cancelled due to the weather and there are better options.
If you want a "castle hotel" then Abbeyglen 1/4mile outside Cliffden which always has something going on.
http://www.abbeyglen.ie/
Ballynahinch would be another alternative to Ashford but again you would be a captive audience in October.
http://www.ballynahinch-castle.com/
Yes you can do your roadtrip but it would be just that. No worse than some organised tours but you would be doing the driving yourself.
Cong in October? Sorry but I am not a fan of Ashford Castle at the best of times because there is nothing else there. Yes the grounds are a big plus in Summer but October when even the hawk walk could be cancelled due to the weather and there are better options.
If you want a "castle hotel" then Abbeyglen 1/4mile outside Cliffden which always has something going on.
http://www.abbeyglen.ie/
Ballynahinch would be another alternative to Ashford but again you would be a captive audience in October.
http://www.ballynahinch-castle.com/
Yes you can do your roadtrip but it would be just that. No worse than some organised tours but you would be doing the driving yourself.
Oct 11th, 2011, 10:10 AM
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Thanks to all - great responses.
We are going to pass on Ashford, which will give us an extra day now, and Causeway to Derry instead of Enniskillen.
I will now look up Abbeyglen, So how is this sounding:
Dublin-Newgrange-Causeway-Derry-Donegal-Dublin ?? Can we fit in Westport before returning to Dublin? We have saved our last 2 days 30th and 31st for Dublin City.
We are going to pass on Ashford, which will give us an extra day now, and Causeway to Derry instead of Enniskillen.
I will now look up Abbeyglen, So how is this sounding:
Dublin-Newgrange-Causeway-Derry-Donegal-Dublin ?? Can we fit in Westport before returning to Dublin? We have saved our last 2 days 30th and 31st for Dublin City.
Oct 11th, 2011, 10:52 AM
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When you say 2 days in Dublin is that 1 night and 2 days with a late flight home?
Where in Donegal?
As I see it day 1 and night1 - Newgrange ( you cannot travel to the Causeway arriving in Dublin after an overnight flight - it is not safe)
Dat & night 2 Causeway
Day & night 3 Donegal via Derry
Day and night 4 ? - it is a very long way to Dublin without an overnight stop. Westport ??? As you are going back to Dublin this is going to add considerably to your journey and depending where you are staying in Donegal a very long trip.
Day and night 5 Dublin
Day 6 Dublin and flight home.
Is this the itinerary you are planning?
Personally I would cancel Dublin this trip and spend the time in either Donegal or co Mayo.
If you want to spend time in Dublin Sligo area would be a better stop on day 4.
I am an early riser and pack a hell of a lot in when I travel but Donegal (particularly if you cross the Foyle in Derry and go to the Inishowen Peninsula), Is a very long and complicated drive to Dublin.
Where in Donegal?
As I see it day 1 and night1 - Newgrange ( you cannot travel to the Causeway arriving in Dublin after an overnight flight - it is not safe)
Dat & night 2 Causeway
Day & night 3 Donegal via Derry
Day and night 4 ? - it is a very long way to Dublin without an overnight stop. Westport ??? As you are going back to Dublin this is going to add considerably to your journey and depending where you are staying in Donegal a very long trip.
Day and night 5 Dublin
Day 6 Dublin and flight home.
Is this the itinerary you are planning?
Personally I would cancel Dublin this trip and spend the time in either Donegal or co Mayo.
If you want to spend time in Dublin Sligo area would be a better stop on day 4.
I am an early riser and pack a hell of a lot in when I travel but Donegal (particularly if you cross the Foyle in Derry and go to the Inishowen Peninsula), Is a very long and complicated drive to Dublin.
Oct 11th, 2011, 10:57 AM
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Much better! I recommend Ballycarton House http://ballycartonhouse.com between the Causeway and Derry. In Donegal Rhu-Gorse http://loughekse.com (just north of Donegal Town). If you want a castle hotel try Smarmore Castle which is very near Newgrange http://smarmorecastle.com .
Think about visiting Belleek Pottery, Gleniff Horseshoe, Celtic Weave China, Glencar Lake and Waterfall, Dunluce Castle, Hill of Tara, Carrowmore, Creevykeel, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge if it is still up in late October.
Perhaps stay somewhere in Co. Sligo (Sligo Town environs?) instead of Co. Donegal...it will get you closer to Dublin for that long drive, and there is more to do in the area. Near Sligo, toward Rosses Point is Iorras http://sligoiorrasbandb.com .
Another thought is to leave from Derry headed south, visit the Ulster-American Folk Park near Omagh and stay in Enniskillen on the way back to Dublin. Several interesting things to do in and around Enniskillen and I recommend Abocurragh Farmhouse http://abocurragh.com .
This is fun....I'm ready to go again and it will be nearly two years before I actually get to!
Think about visiting Belleek Pottery, Gleniff Horseshoe, Celtic Weave China, Glencar Lake and Waterfall, Dunluce Castle, Hill of Tara, Carrowmore, Creevykeel, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge if it is still up in late October.
Perhaps stay somewhere in Co. Sligo (Sligo Town environs?) instead of Co. Donegal...it will get you closer to Dublin for that long drive, and there is more to do in the area. Near Sligo, toward Rosses Point is Iorras http://sligoiorrasbandb.com .
Another thought is to leave from Derry headed south, visit the Ulster-American Folk Park near Omagh and stay in Enniskillen on the way back to Dublin. Several interesting things to do in and around Enniskillen and I recommend Abocurragh Farmhouse http://abocurragh.com .
This is fun....I'm ready to go again and it will be nearly two years before I actually get to!
Oct 11th, 2011, 11:09 AM
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Jaja's suggestion of the American Folk park is good.
What about changing this around a little.
Day 1 Dublin - take the bus into Dublin and spend the day and night there.
Day 2 collect your car and drive to the Causeway
Day 3 & 4
Donegal via Derry
Day 5 drive again via (depending on where you stay in Donegal) Omagh to Newgrange stopping at the park on the way.
Day 6 spend the day at Newgrange and Trim Castle before dropping the car off at the airport which is close.
What about changing this around a little.
Day 1 Dublin - take the bus into Dublin and spend the day and night there.
Day 2 collect your car and drive to the Causeway
Day 3 & 4
Donegal via Derry
Day 5 drive again via (depending on where you stay in Donegal) Omagh to Newgrange stopping at the park on the way.
Day 6 spend the day at Newgrange and Trim Castle before dropping the car off at the airport which is close.
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