Northern Ireland December trip

Denise,

I'm envious! My husband and I LOVE Ireland and Northern Ireland! We spent a couple of weeks in 2009, and then returned in 2019 because a niece was having a wedding ceremony there. My husband drove both trips.

It seems like you'd be covering a lot of territory in a short time. I presume you have a special reason for those particular locations.
Will you be driving from Belfast on or using public transportation?

We stayed in Bangor for a couple of nights in 2019. Since part of our trips we fly by the seat of our pants, we took chance one early evening by knocking on the door of a B & B on the sea (I think a RS recommend). The truly loveliest, and most accommodating host was able to put us up for one night, then she got us transferred to a neighbor hotel (tiny room but with a bay window, restaurant) for the second. After our 2 day trips to Belfast (took public transportation in), we headed around the coast towards Derry. I think we stopped a couple of nights along the way as the spirit moved. It was a slow summer (late June/early July) for tourism, so we were able to find vacancies, though we may have driven to a second village to look, one night. I think we did at least a week without reservations, but the weather was good, and we had the time.

If you are driving, I heartily recommend the Ulster American Folk park in Omagh (on return route to Dublin), particularly if you have any Ulster-Scots heritage. Although my Ulster-Scot ancestors left before the 1800s, I really enjoyed the museum.
However, I'm not sure how it would be that time of year, as it's an open air museum.

Cheryl

Another vote for the Ulster American Folk Park - it is fascinating and make time to talk to the costumed interpreters and learn some of the stories and hardships faced by the early settlers. We spent nearly a full day there.

Will you have a car once you've been dropped off by your friend? If so, my preference would be to spend the first two nights in Newcastle and spend some time exploring the area - Mountains of Mourne, Carlingford Lough, Stranford Lough . Bangor is a 30 minute drive from Belfast so doesn't make sense to spend time there and then move to Belfast.

Thanks for your reply. So what do you think of 2 nights in Newcastle, heading to Bangor for two nights, Derry for two nights ?. We will have a car after Newcastle. Maybe only do one night in Derry and hit another town for a night on our way to Dublin. Not tied down at the current time to a schedule.

What is the attraction of Bangor over Dublin?

We have been to the Republic several times staying in Dublin each time. We actually plan on spending our last two nights there on this trip. We just want to get our fill of the North this time. My adult son is traveling with us so I need to be sure there is enough "night life" for him too.

Again, most welcome to suggestions.

Bangor is a good spot you do not need a car ( I am from Northern Ireland btw)
you can easily access Belfast via the train from Bangor trains go every 30 mins from Bangor to Belfast
Translink is the public transport operator in Northern Ireland www.translink.co.uk and operate all trains and buses
you can buy a daily/weekly/monthly travel card called an I-link card if you ask for a zone 4 card this will cover all of Northern Ireland any train or bus unlimited good for zipping around

One suggestion -- I would add Derry if you can. A wonderful city. You can reach it easily by train from Belfast.

On our 2015 trip we did Dublin, then the train up to Belfast. We did one whole day there, then took late afternoon train to Derry. Spent three nights in Derry with side trip to Donegal. Then back to Belfast again just for the day, and train back to Dublin.

Have the seafood chowder at Mournes by Kelly Cellars in Belfast. Still dream of that chowder.

Hi Everyone
We are in the final stages of our trip late November/early December. At this point our overnight stays will be in Newcastle, Portaferry, Bangor, Belfast, Derry and last two nights in Dublin. This forum is terrific and we appreciate all advice.
Please provide your thoughts if our overnights are too close to each other and we should spread out a bit.
Thanks so much.
Denise

Oops I forgot to mention, Portstewart is another option for an overnight stay.
Thanks again.
Denise

There is a regular coach back direct from Derry to Dublin City and Airport, aircoach I think.
A quite different route than via Belfast on the train.