First off thanks for your help. Our plan was to flying into Dublin and then head north hoping to spend time in Down along the coast, Belfast, Ballycastle, Derry and need to spend part of a day in Markethill where our relatives were from. We are not sure which direction we should go with. Dublin to Markethill working our way northeast and then back to Dublin to fly home or Dublin towards Down and having Markethill on the last piece of the trip prior to ending to Dublin. We always favor small towns. All suggestions are most welcome and appreciated. Our time frame is April 28th for 12 nights (2 in Dublin). Thanks. Denise
Posted by
San Diego, California
5530 posts
As lodging prices in Europe are rising and availability quickly diminishing, perhaps do some research and that may guide your journey choices.
Safe travels.
Posted by
341 posts
Since you are looking up your Irish ancestors while there, thought I'd pass along this website to you.
My grandparents were Danish. My grandmother came to the US on the Lusitania in 1911. The ship manifest indicates that they left Liverpool, stopped in Cobh, County Cork to pick up more passengers, then on to Ellis Island.
So I was digging around for any more information I could find about the voyage and found this website. Won't help me with my Danes, but might help you with your Irish.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8855 posts
One of my favorite hotels. Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2235 posts
Have you considered visiting the Ulster American Folk Museum between Derry and Markethill?
It is a fascinating museum following the history of some of the Ulster settlers to America. Visitors begin in the 'Ulster' where buildings of the early settlers from across Ulster have been moved and rebuilt here. There are costumed interpreters who can tell you about the history of the family and their way of life. From 'Ulster' you travel to a partial reconstriction of a boat that carried the settlers across the Atlantic. Space below decks was restricted to a small 6' by 6' sleeping area. No one knew how long the voyage would last or where exactly they might land - it all depended on the weather, winds and tides... You reach 'America' and a reconstuction of a shop selling basic equipment (and greated by the shopman who can't undeerstand what you are saying). Some of the original bukldings have been brought here from America and reassembled. Others are reconstructions. Costumed interpreters again explain about the hardships faced by families once they arrived - problems with different foods - maize rather than oats, wheat or potaoes as a staple. Some families flourished others struggled.
Allow plenty of time for a visit and do take time to talk to the interpreters. We spent several hours here and loved it. We learned so much.