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Ballycastle to Derry & back again. (Rathlin Island?)

Posted by (Springfield, OR) on

Hello wonderful Rick Stever's,

This forum is so helpful. Wonderful advice on many of our trips.

We are traveling to N. Ireland, Scotland, Lauterbrunnen & Barcelona this summer and have a few nights in Northern Ireland. I'm wondering if this sounds realistic? Also keen on visiting Rathlin island but is it worth a day of our limited time? Our son, who is traveling with us, is in college and studying ornithology so... we are keen on Puffins!

DAY ONE

  • Arrive in Dublin
  • Train to Belfast
  • Rental car to Ballycastle
  • Dinner?

DAY TWO - Ballycastle

  • Rathlin Island & Seabird Center (Dining?)
  • Dinner back in Ballycastle. Where?

DAY THREE - Ballycastle
(which should we prioritize?)

  • Kinbane Castle
  • Ballintoy Harbor
  • Carrick-a-Rede
  • Dunseverick Castle
  • Giant's Causway
  • Dunluce Castle
  • Lunch @ Harry's Shack (else?)
  • Mussenden Temple
  • Derry Walking Tour
  • Dinner @ Walled City Brewery (else?)
  • Back to Ballycastle

DAY FOUR

  • Back to Glasgow
  • Black Cab Tour
  • Titanic Belfast
  • Dinner?

Cheers and thanks in advance!

Erik from Oregon

Posted by
22 posts

We decided to cut Rathlin off the list as the Puffins will likely not be present. It's the wrong time of year for it. We'll be breaking up our travels with the north coast one day and Derry the other. Would love recommendations for dining in Derry as Walled city Brewery is completely booked.

Posted by
22 posts

I'd love to get some advice on the top sites for N. Ireland ?
We have three days and a rental car based in Ballycastle.
I expect one day in Derry and one on the north coast.

If this was your schedule (early August) what would you "not miss?"
(also... how long does a castle wall trout in Derry take?)

Cheers and thanks from,
Erik in Oregon/USA

Posted by
2449 posts

Am confused but that doesn't take much to do!!! Anyway you are flying into Dublin. Then straight to Belfast. Could you not change plans and just fly into Belfast? Last day you mention Back to Glasgow and black cab tour and Titanic museum. I assume you mean back to Belfast right ? The black.cab tour was one of the best things we did. Enjoyed Titanic but personally black cab was my personal favorite. Good for picking them if you really mean Belfast. Enjoy your trip! Mournes seafood in Belfast is great. (Am not sure if that is not correct spelling)

Posted by
22 posts

Dublin is CHEAP right now. Flying into Belfast would be hundreds more. I mean... you're not wrong. :-)

I get why it is confusing. Something magical is happening between PDX and Dublin so we're taking advantage of it.

Thrilled to have the Black Cab confirmation. That was kinda' the sense I was getting from guides and travel forums and such. Not to miss! Also, since our time is limited, getting a guided tour is meaningful.

Posted by
22 posts

Any dining advice for N. Ireland? We'll be in Ballycastle and Derry and N. Coast points in-between. Kids are 19 and 14 and they are not finicky so no need to limit menu options. (Mom and Dad are adventurous eaters too) :-)

Wondering if Bushmills is worth the stop? I mean... I'm sure it is but we're on a crazy fast schedule.

Thanks in advance! cheers

Posted by
7833 posts

Looking at this now with a son with an interest in Ornithology maybe cutting Rathlin was wrong. There is so much more there than Puffins.

It's a general seabird mecca and a bit of a special place to visit, but then on a very tight schedule maybe it was too much time to expend. A hard choice.

Have you seen this leaflet on the Derry Walls?- https://thederrywalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/derry-walls-pdf.pdf

Hopefully you now have a tour booked.

In spite of a lack of responses I hope you've put together a schedule which suits you.

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