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October in Dublin, goal: Belfast/N. Ireland coastal tour 4 nights, your recs?

Posted by (Austria) on

Flying into Dublin evening Tuesday, October 29th, out late morning Saturday, November 2nd: looking for recommendations on making sure I get to Belfast and the highlights of the Northern Ireland Coastal Route. Derry/Londonderry would be a bonus as well. No car. Any tips, tour companies, hostels, etc. please let me know! Hoping to do this trip on a modest budget. The goal is Northern Ireland, not Dublin or the Republic of Ireland--have been there twice and love it so will return when I have more time off.

Thanks in advance for any specific tips given my time frame above. :)

Posted by
9221 posts

Take the bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast. Start researching website now to book tickets
https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/route-705-x-belfast-dublin-airport-dublin-city-express.

Also see if this Premiere Inn ( Premier Inn Belfast City Cathedral Quarter hotel) is within your modest budget.

On Saturday eat your way through the St George's Market vendors.
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/stgeorgesmarket/ourtraders.aspx

As far as what to see in Belfast for free, Ulster Museum, City Hall and the Linen Hall Library, free gallery viewings at the Metropolitan Art Centre, various political murals through out Belfast, the Peace Wall, Botanic Gardens, hiking in Cave Hill Park
( use public transport to get there ) and visiting the Belfast Castle Estate, St George's Market, music in the pubs, and simply the general ambience of NI.

Posted by
2980 posts

Per Claudia, you can catch a bus to Belfast upon arrival at Dublin airport. Alternatively you can take the train which would require an extra step in getting yourself to the station.
The Premiere Inns do indeed provide good value. There's another one over in the Titanic Quarter that's about a 5 minute walk to the excellent Titanic Museum, and a short stroll along a pedestrian friendly path into the city center.
For an introductory overview of the city consider the hop on, hop off, bus - one of the stops is literally right in front of the Premiere Inn.
For a listing of available day tour providers take a look at the "Things to do" pull down menu on TripAdvisor. Am seeing day trips from Belfast up to Giant's Causeway and other nearby attractions for as little as $25. There are also tours dedicated to Game of Thrones film locations if you're into that. Many here rave about the Black Cab tours which do an excellent job of covering the history of "The Troubles".
A visit to the walled city of Derry is worth a day if you can manage it ... either via a tour or by simply taking the bus. It's a fascinating place with an extraordinary history. The Tower Museum near the Guildhall has a terrific display presenting the history of the city and another featuring artifacts from the wreck of one of the 1588 Armada ships that sank in a bay not far from Giant's Causeway.

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