Suggestions Near Dublin or Belfast
 

We’ll be returning to the wonderful Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and Song Writing Convention late February (www.belfastnashville.com). We’ll have four days to relax and enjoy before the festival and are looking for suggestions for someplace wonderful to stay – and sights to see -- within an hour or two from Dublin or Belfast.

We love Ireland and have seen quite a bit of that area. Our favorite spot is the Antrim Coast in N. Ireland and we’ve stayed several times at the wonderful Limepark Cottages (www.limepark.com). But we’re thinking about seeing someplace new.

When visiting that area in the past we’ve stayed in Dublin and Kilbride in Co. Wicklow. Dublin exceeded our expectations. Wicklow was very nice – but not one of our favorite areas--although The Olde Milking Parlour where we stayed was WONDERFUL. We especially enjoyed visiting Newgrange, Powerscourt Gardens, Trinity College, and Dublin Castle.

In N. Ireland our favorite spot is Ballintoy Harbour. We also love the Glens of Antrim and Dunluce Castle—and of course, the Giant’s Causeway.

We love nature and beautiful scenery; long walks; and quaint towns. We prefer self-catering; quaint old cottages; and a scenic setting. So … where do you think we should go this time?

PS. Also have been to -- and loved -- Glendalough.

Hi Songdoc - I know just what you mean about Ballintoy and the Antrim Coastline! It's stunning and I am so sorry we never got to the Glens of Antrim and the National Trust village of Cushendun with it's Cornish style white cottages and friendly pubs - next time!

We left Dublin and motored straight through to Ballymoney and a campsite on the River Bann called Drumaheglis Marina.
Beautiful!
Our next best place was south in the Rep.of Ireland called the Glen of Aherlow near Tipperary. It is a walkers paradise.

You may have missed my trip report so here it is: http://tinyurl.com/mmm492

Tod -- thanks for sharing all the info & pix. Wow -- that would be too much driving for me ... especially on those roads!

From your report & pix Kilkenny looks like it might fit the bill -- but it would be an awfully long drive back to Belfast.

Anyone have any suggestion?

Any other thoughts???