My wife and I will be traveling the coastal route by car through Northern Ireland at the end of September.
We will be flying into Dublin and I am interested in recommendations on a nice town or city to spend the first night somewhere close to Dublin or within a couple of hours drive.

We have been to Dublin on another trip and so would prefer not to stay in the city. One of our considerations is Newcastle but we at not familiar with the area and would appreciate any other ideas.

We are in our seventies and are experienced independent travelers. Driving for up to a couple of hours after arriving from the US is not a problem.

Thank you.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g...nd-Hotels.html

2 hour plus drive. I picked that because some of my relatives lived there at one time. Seems like a pretty coastal village.

Malahide
http://www.malahide.ie/

Carlingford.
http://visitcarlingford.com/
Some lovely, Medieval structures, views of the Mournes from across the Lough.
Proleek Dolmen: http://www.megalithicireland.com/proleek.htm
We stayed two nights and explored the North of Dublin and the Mountains of Mourne as well as some of the Ards from there.
Trip Report: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t5151...tirement-tour/
There's also some info on the general, Mournes, Ards area on this later report. Look for the June 28 entry:
http://ireland.activeboard.com/t5450...junejuly-2013/

Was also going to suggest Carlingford... I second that one

Thanks for your replies. Carlingford will be it unless someone else
comes up with another option. Any tips on favorite hotels or B&Bs in Carlingford would be appreciated.

Skerries.
www.visitskerries.ie

Stay in the White Cottages - http://www.thewhitecottages.com/

I've only ever stayed in Ghan house - really liked it, old style manor house with lovely restaurant. There are plenty of places in Carlingford from apartments up to the Four Seasons - it all depends on your budget.

I stayed here for two nights in Oct of 2012:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...nty_Louth.html
As you can see by the reviews, I'm NOT the only one who found it delightful!
It is NOT 'walking distance' from town center (1/2 mile?) but the views of the Lough are spectacular.

Thanks again for the replies. I have made a reservation at the White Cottages in Skerries.

I hope you enjoy Skerries. There are some nice restaurants on the Harbour (a gentle 20 minute stroll along the beach) but I would particularly recommend Stoop Your Head or the Brick House. A pint in Joe May's Front Bar as the sun goes down is a must! Skerries is one of the few east-coast towns where you can enjoy the sunset!

Thanks ter2000, we are looking forward to that stroll along the beach.

Skerries is lovely, that's a good choice. Enjoy! I remember having decent Indian takeaway there on our way north one trip.