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Northern Ireland

Everyone was so helpful with my last topic, so I thought I’d turn to the experts for some advice on my Northern Ireland itinerary. I’ll be flying in and out of Dublin and have a total of 9 nights. We plan to take the bus straight from the airport to Belfast for 2 nights. Then we’ll head directly to Bushmills for 2 nights - Day 1 day we’ll visit Dunluce Castle (by local bus or taxi), Day 2 we’ll go to the Giant’s Causeway. After that, we’ll travel to Derry for 2 nights, and finally return to Dublin for 3 nights - day trip to Glendalough.

I cannot change the Belfast and Dublin nights, as I’ve already paid for non-refundable rooms (I know risky, but the price was right).

My question is whether 2 nights in Bushmills and 2 nights in Derry is the best use of the other 4 nights. I’ve heard mixed reviews about Derry. And maybe 2 nights in Bushmills is too much. Are there other destinations in Northern Ireland that shouldn’t be missed instead?

I know some will say rent a car, but its really not something I want to do. I'm already doing it for one day for Glendalough and to me that is enough lol. So it has to be by bus or train. I'd even consider Donegal if that a better use of my time.

Posted by
1068 posts

For me, one of the nicest places in Northern Ireland is Rathlin Island- I would consider doing a day trip there from Bushmills. The ferry goes from Ballycastle which is pretty close.

There are some things to do in Derry, but if it were me I might spend two days near Enniskillen on Lough Erne. However, I'm not sure how accessible that is on public transport.

I also really like the Mourne Mountains, south of Belfast, if you wanted to consider visiting that area.

Posted by
72 posts

Maybe I should do 3 nights in Bushmill. With day trips to Dunluce castle, the Giant causeway, Ballycastle/Rathlin Island (because I looked and it is stunning). And 1 night in Derry? Or cancel Derry all together.

Posted by
1556 posts

Dun Luce and GC are very close together and could be done in the same day. I did this as a big bus tour from Belfast with Paddywagon. You could skip Bushmills and add those nights to Belfast and/or Dublin. I think you can also take either public transport or an organized tour to Glendalough, which would save you from driving entirely. I'm with you on the car rental, BTW. No, thanks.
I like Derry a lot, although I thought it was kind of expensive and we never found a place with authentic pub food (indeed, all the places we went into seemed to have the same menu, which included fish tacos and pasta). The Peace Bridge makes a nice walk, as do the Walls. The Museum of Free Derry, with or without a guide for your tour of the Bogside Murals, is not to be missed, IMO. When I was there in 2024, I also enjoyed the Wall Museum Exhibition, which was on the outside of the walls on Bishop Street. I can't tell whether this is still up. If so, worth seeing.
Donegal is beautiful and very worth seeing, but getting back to Dublin from there is a whole lot. Next time, I think.

Posted by
1048 posts

I'm not sure what your favorite things to do are, but Belfast and surrounds has a lot to offer, and two nights might be short-changing it. The Antrim Coast offers a lot of gorgeous walks, but transit is a bigger problem. We liked the Rathlin Island trip, but we're partial to puffins. We have a plan for next year that uses Letterkenny as a base for Derry, rather than spending the night there. We aren't worried about Derry except the lodging was spendy. We're also spending a night on Tory Island as we leave Letterkenny. We always have a car, which eliminates the transit issues for us.

Posted by
27 posts

We did a similar trip in the Spring of 2024. Flew into Dublin and took the bus to Derry for 2 nights, then train/bus to Bushmills for 2 nights, then train/bus Belfast for 2 nights. We felt 2 nights was just right for Derry and Belfast, just depends on what you like to see. We loved Bushmills the best and will definitely go back and base out of there again.