Has anyone driven the coastal route between Belfast and Derry over several days? If so, did you enjoy it, and how many days did you spend on the route? Please give details if you had a successful trip.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
We drove it from Derry to Belfast a few years ago, taking all of one day to just meander and enjoy the pretty coastal views. Didn't quite have the time to linger over two or three days but would have liked to. We especially enjoyed our lunch stop in Glenarm, where we stretched our legs along a nice beach side promenade before wandering into the little town. One of the locals suggested lunch/tea over at Glenarm Castle which turned out to be a terrific choice - wound up lingering there for almost two hours. The castle at Carrickfergus is just outside town as you're leaving Belfast, and a little further up the road is a short detour to the old village of Galboly - abandoned now but an interesting place to wander about. There are a number of inviting little glens as you proceed along the drive that appeared to offer excellent hiking and walking tracks. Really struck me as a "road less traveled" - the kind of off the beaten path excursion that my wife and I particularly enjoy.
It would be easy to make a multi-day excursion out of it, but only if the weather cooperates. Our journey began in the early AM in thick coastal fog, and I was frankly about ready to turn inland when the fog finally lifted and revealed one of the prettiest coastal drives you'll see anywhere.
If you have the time and the interest I'd recommend it.
Posted by
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
277 posts
We just returned from three weeks in Ireland and NI. We drove from Carrickfergus (Belfast) to Portrush in one day. Walked over the Carrick-a-rede bridge, explored the Giant's Causeway, visited the Old Bushmill's Distillery, explored Dunluce Castle, and arrived in Portrush in time for a nice dinner. The next day we drove from Portrush to Galway with a stop in Derry. We were moving pretty fast. If you have more time, this is a beautiful area to spend it.
You might enjoy seeing our family blog about that day.....
http://tomslyck.blogspot.com/2017/06/driving-away-rain.html
Posted by
OP
Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
37 posts
Thank you both! I did enjoy the family blog.
Posted by
76 posts
If you're going to do the Antrim Coast, make sure you set aside a few hours to visit the VERY remote Kinbane Castle...it's another one of those places RS doesn't even mention. Same with Dunseverick Castle. Not much of the castle is left, but the setting is incredible.
Posted by
10 posts
We spent 2 days driving the coast. We started in Belfast and did the Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills Distillery, and the Giant's Causeway. After a stay in Portrush we did Mussenden Temple(and grounds) and Dunluce Castle. Ended in Dingle.