Northern ireland

Can you provide more information about where you have already booked, or are in the process of booking? How long is your trip? Interests? Are you driving or using public transportation?

Where you can visit depends on your transportation and your trip length. My husband and I loved the northern County Donegal peninsulas. We used a rental car for transportation. We also really liked the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh. If you go to Derry, visit the Museum of Free Derry.

I just looked at the Web site for the American Folk Park. It actually seems kind of fun and trendy. For example, one Exhibit is called "Bad Bridget", about the tribulations and temptations Women Emigrants faced in the 19th and 20th Centuries in the Big Cities of America. Also, they have Blue Grass Concerts.

We are driving a rental car and have another 3 days before driving to Belfast. We prefer towns vs cities however are generally interested in culture, nature and history.

Carlingford, Armagh.

In Belfast:
Titanic Museum
Peace Wall
Tour the Gaol
Have seafood chowder at Mournes by Kelly Cellars

Definitely see the Giants Causeway

Our Northern Ireland trip in 2015 included Belfast, Derry, and crossing over into Donegal. In Donegal really enjoyed Glenveagh National Park, Dunfanaghy, and the coastal area (Bloody Foreland). We walked all over Derry and took a walking tour of the sites related to the Troubles. Also spent some time doing some genealogy research in the Derry public library. Belfast was also a fair amount of walking around, Titanic Museum, and a taxi tour.

Appreciate all the tips. Which taxi tour would you recommend?

Which taxi tour would you recommend?

A friend made the reservation but I believe it was the well known Black Cab

Black Taxi Tours consistently get good reviews.

The Ulster American Folk Park is well worth a visit and do allow plenty of time. It is divided ionto three asreaas - Ulster, the ship, America. Family homes from around have been relocated and reconstructed here and the stories of the families researched.

There is a reconstruction of the ship used to take emigrants across the Atlantic - families were allocated a 6' by 6' living and sleeping area and conditioins were vdery grim as they coukld only spend limited time on deck. They also didn't know how long the voyage would take or exactley where they would land - it all depended on the weather and winds...

Arriving in the 'America ' section, some of their original homesteads have been relocated to the park, others have been reconstructed. You can follow the history of those families and how they made (or didn't) make their way in Amertica, along with the hardships they had to overcome.

This sounds very interesting. Thanks so much, we will plan a visit without a doubt

A few more ideas:

Tollymore Forest Park is simply magical.

If you're in Belfast on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, don't miss St George's Market.

The drive along the coast from Cushendun via Torr Head to Ballycastle on a narrow winding road was one of the best parts of our trip.

Giants Causeway is best visited in the early morning or evening. That's why it makes sense to stay overnight nearby, e.g. in Bushmills.
This would also make a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery more relaxed.

In Derry~Londonderry I can recommend a visit to the Tower Museum (the Story of Derry exhibition was really interesting), the Guildhall and a walk along The Derry Walls.

Not far away (not in NI but in Donegal) is the Grianan Of Aileach, an old stone fort with a wonderful view over Lough Swilly.

This is awesome. These kinds of personal insights are valuable. We are staying in the Ballycastle area and by Canadian standards these drives are doable. Thank you so much!

The drive along the coast between Cushendun and Ballycastle by Torr Head is wonderful BUT it is a very narrow winding road. Don't miss Murlough Bay.

The Drive south down the coast is very attractive with a series of small villages. and the Antrim Glens. Each has its own character. Glenariff is my favourite. Do try and make time to do the Waterfalls walk signed from the car park

Giant's Causeway - as already mentioned early mornming or evening is best to avoid the crowds. Also try and plan for low tide when more of the stones will be exposed. It just isn't the same at high tide. It is also worth climbing up behind the visitor centre and walking along the top of the cliffs to look down at the causeway and all the visitors scurrying around below like ants.

Don't miss Carrick a Rede rope bridge either!

I do appreciate these insights. We have a total of 8 days in Northern Ireland. I feel like 2 weeks would be a better amount of time.

If you get near Dunfanaghy (not in NI) don't miss The Workhouse. It's a very informative museum about the famine and we all thought it was a hidden gem. Glenveagh NP is not much farther with some mild hikes.

My husband and I didn't get to spend enough time in Northern Ireland the last time we visited Ireland so we are going back this fall. The Black Cab Tour in Belfast is a must that was a highlight for us and we will do it again this time. We also drove the Giant Causeway which is incredible. I found this website https://www.causewaycoastalroute.com which has some great information about the Causeway and side trips. We will revisit the Bushmills Distillery, Ballycastle and the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge plus golf at Royal Portrush. Take your time to enjoy the beauty and the winding roads. Of course Rick Steve's travel book on Ireland is a must to travel with.