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Giant's Causeway to Belfast instead of spending night in Portrush

Posted by (Rocky Mount, VA) on

In June, I’m following a modified itinerary based on Rick’s 21 day trip that gives me a few more days in rural areas.

I’m considering leaving Portrush in the morning to tour the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede. Then, instead of returning to Portrush to spend the night, I would drive somewhere near Belfast to spend the night.

The next morning, I’d take an early start to arrive at Bru Na Boinne before 10:00 a.m. as recommended in Rick’s book.

Google Maps shows a 2.5 hour drive from Portrush versus 1.5 from Belfast.

Is this feasible? Any suggestions for places to stay near Belfast that are near the M-1 and easy and quick to get to and get out in the morning? Places a few miles out (especially south) are fine.

Posted by
63 posts

I would definitely get as close to Newgrange as you can as once the tour busses start arriving you could be in for a wait! We got there by 10:15 and still had to wait about an hour. I would drive past Belfast and stay somewhere convenient to the M1. Perhaps the Premier Inn in Lisburn? Right off the main road and well rated. We have stayed at quite a few Premier Inns and have always found them clean, well run and very good value. The breakfast is great too! If you want to get even closer you could drive all the way to the area around Newgrange and stay in a B and B or hotel. Probably quite a bit more expensive and it sounds like you will be having a full day that day so perhaps a shorter drive is better. The PI in Lisburn would be right on the route and would take only an hour and seven minute to get you to Newgrange. Take care and have a great time! We loved it.

Posted by
2815 posts

If your intention is to arrive at the Bru Na Boinne Visitor Center early why not just drive the 2.5 hours and spend the night in one of the nearby towns - Drogheda for example? That way you could be at the Visitor Center as close to their 9:00 AM opening time as possible and thus be at the front of the queue ... ie well ahead of the tour buses.
With an early start from Portrush you could tour the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-rede at your leisure and still get thru Belfast before rush hour traffic slows you down in the afternoon.

Posted by
266 posts

Ms. L and Robert,

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't familiar with Premier Inn, and it sounds like a place I might use on a few nights. As much as I love B&B's, on a few driving days, convenience is a factor.

I may consider trying to drive most of the way to Bru Na Boinne; I'm still debating how late in the day I want to leave the Antrim Coast area, but a late night driving to arrive near my destination might be better than trying for an early start.

Rick's book says to arrive before 10:00 a.m. so that's my target.

Posted by
63 posts

We stayed in Balbriggan as we were coming from Galway. Drogheda would work very well as well. Always nice to just roll out of bed in the morning a short distance from where you want to be. Enjoy Bru Na Boinne and the Antrim Coast! Incredible scenery.

Posted by
42 posts

Be there when the doors open or I would say spend the night at Premiere Inn city center Belfast. I love that city.

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