Sites in Northern Ireland?
 

We are planning to visit Northern Ireland at the end of August. I know that is high season, but is the only time available. We have already visited southern Ireland and we really want to see Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. There will be 6 of us (me, my husband, our 6 and 7 year olds and my stepkids - ages 20 and 14). We usually rent a self-catering 3 bedroom place when we go away together, but I'm wondering if there is enough in the one area to keep us occupied for a week? Can people give me some suggestions for day trips from that general area if we find a cottage that will work.

We hike a lot so scenic spots are good suggestions. We'll have our car since we'll be taking the ferry from England.

Thanks

Ballycarton House in Limavady, Co. Londonderry has self-catering apartments as well as B&B rooms. It is well located to do day trips all over the North and you can go to the Inishowen Peninsula in the Republic if you like, also. That's good for a day, and you could drive to Omagh and enjoy the Ulster-American Folk Park, to Londonderry for the walking tour of the Walls and to Tyrone Crystal in Dungannon.

http://ballycartonhouse.com

I haven't stayed at Limepark Self-catering in Armoy but I have read very favorable reviews. You could do lots of the same daytrips from there, also.

Glenariff is a wonderful glen for walking. You can follow the catwalk trail up the hill along the waterfalls. Really a beautiful walk.

The Torr Rd is narrow and a beautiful ride. You can take a trip down to Murlogh Bay. Perhaps a trip out to Rathlin Island would be interesting. Kenbane castle can be a treacherous walk at times but quite interesting an haunting.

Add to CaR and Giants Causway a trip to Dunluce Castle sitting on the cliffs, some of which is no longer sitting on the cliffs as it collpased into the sea with it's kitchen staff in the 1600s.

Whiskey distilling may not be everything the kids wanted to see but it could be interesting. Consider both Inishowen and Fanad Head trips. Tour the Derry walls would be fun too.

In the end, I think you can easily fill a week in NI. I could go on and on I guess. Hope this helps.

Bill

I went to both the Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge years ago and still have very fond memories of the trip.

I grabbed a map and started driving, everywhere there was a historic marker - I stopped and walked around. I managed to fill up a week and a half doing just that. Driving around was just beautiful.

I did take some trips into Londonderry for some shopping. Although what I most remember about the trip is slowing down a bit, and stopping at small restaurants and just staring at the scenery.

See Songdoc's report on Limepark. I haven't stayed there myself but I have recommended it to various friends who loved it.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34768918

For hiking try the Glens and the upper trail at the Causeway. You could also daytrip to Donegal and Derry.

I agree there is plenty to keep you occupied for 1 week but if you really like hiking why not split your time between the Causeway and the Mournes.

The hiking in the Mournes is much better and more strenuous than the Glens especially the Silent Valley region.

Helen

Thanks for the replies. We will have our 6 and 7 year olds with us who are good hikers, but we still need to keep in mind they are only kids and we can't do anything too strenous or too long. They can easily manage 7-8 mile hikes now though. I'll take a look at some of the locations you suggested.

Thanks!