Enough in Ulster?

Antrium is a coast. The causeway is geology. Belfast will bend your mind and rip your heart out. You've made your priorities. Skip the whole mess.

The cities are part of what there is to see in Northern Ireland. Seems a long way to drive for some coastline and rocks if you intend to see nothing else. Take a look at a couple of guidebooks to see what else might interest you. If the Giant's Causeway is it, save it for another trip.

While the Causeway is neat to look at and climb around on the rocks, you'll see plenty of pretty coastline and old castles in the Republic, so no need to go out of your way to Northern Ireland if that's all you seek. I will say that some of the most meaningful time I have spent in Northern Ireland was spent in Belfast walking The Falls Road and through the Shankill, and in Derry walking through the Bogside. And in Ireland going through Kilmainham in Dublin was also very special. If you have any interest in the history of Ireland or Northern Ireland, it's a shame to miss those places. But if you don't like cities, you don't like them and it's your trip, and in that case I would say forget going to the Causeway because you'll see plenty of coastline elsewhere.

I thought Northern Ireland was culturally fascinating and the rural areas were beautiful. I actually enjoyed it more than the Republic. You can visit the whiskey and linen factories and the Ulster American Folk Park is interesting. As I said in a previous post, as a fellow Kentuckian, I was really interested to discover the cultural similarities between Kentucky and Northern Ireland (the Ulster Scots influences). Also, learning about the history of the Troubles was fascinating and very moving. You could divide your trip into two visits - one to the Republic and one to Northern Ireland, which a lot of people do. The Giants Causeway is amazing, but there is much more to NI than just that.

If you include Donegal in your trip then you can easily spend three days in the north of Ireland.
There is a lot of history and information about the Irish culture to be learned in the cities. A shame you will miss it.

Wow, This is the reason that these forums are so helpful. My lack of knowledge about NI made me want to overlook it, and concentrate on the south. I stand corrected! So, let me start this question again. I have 15 full days to get the most out of this beautiful place, and now I have no idea where to start. Can I circle the island in 15 days, and see enough to not regret splitting the trip into two trips. If so, any ideas will be appreciated. Once again, thanks for all the help. I think I would have missed allot if not for all of your help.
Thanks, Jeff

We are doing an 18 night self-drive itinerary this spring, going counterclockwise from Dublin airport, ending around Cork, then Cashel and Shannon. We are skipping the southeast (we have been there previously) and Dublin. No one night stops. We have been researching and tweaking our itinerary for over a year. If you would like more details, send me a PM.

Jeff on an island that's only about 300 by 150 miles nothing is really too far away. Can you circle the island in 15 days sure, but you don't want to. You'll see all the sites but miss sitting at a cafe people watching you'll be living the timetable. I'd split my holiday, the east coast and the north, one holiday, the west coast and the south another.
No matter what you do you'll enjoy Ireland, we always have.