Northern Ireland……..what a place!

GrannyT41 my husband was born there and one of his brothers lives there, my MrJ will be over in the summer for family golf day, held at Bright Castle.

Greyduster

We - me, DD, SiL and GS - are going in July for a week. It is indeed a lovely place - the last time DH and I were there was in 1972, and even with all the turmoil, when he could get any time off, though we were restricted as to where we could go, we went and explored the coast from Magilligan Point up to the Giant’s Causeway. We adored it. Lovely helpful people.
We are in Ballycastle this year, which will be new to me. The menfolk have tickets for a day at the Open Championship at Portrush, but we have an itinerary of other places, including Belfast before we get the ferry home. I do remember that it rained a lot, but it shouldn’t slow us down. Does anyone know Ballycastle?

Ballycastle has a lovely beach, great wee town and if you're feeling adventurous you could take the ferry over to Rathlin Island to see the puffins. Don't forget to try local specialities, yellow man (like honeycomb) and dulse.

If you're visiting Northern Ireland don't forget Co Fermanagh known as the Lakelands and the area around Strangford Lough not far from Belfast, both well worth a visit.

Donegal is stunning.

I concur with GrannyT41, don't miss Carrickfergus Castle.

I attended the Coleraine campus of the Ulster University 50 years ago. It's in what's known as The Triangle, the three towns of Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush. Portrush is a lively fun town, while Portstewart is quieter but with a super beach.

My dh and I had a holiday home near Enniskillen on Lough Erne for many years and it's gorgeous there.

The Antrim Coast Road, all the way up and round to Derry is not to be missed.

Driving is easy as the traffic is lighter than in GB, but there are also day coach trips out of Belfast.

I haven't been to Ireland since I was 8 when we flew from Glasgow in a BOAC plane, that'll show you how long ago it was! My dad had relatives who lived in a wee place called Sion Mills near Strabane. Family were so welcoming and lovely. We spent some time in Belfast too. Thank you for this thread.

Jane112

If you're visiting Northern Ireland don't forget Co Fermanagh known as the Lakelands and the area around Strangford Lough not far from Belfast, both well worth a visit.

I did a Game of Thrones location tour with my son and we went across Strangford Lough - it was a very beautiful area. I'd love to go back and tour around at my leisure sometime.

I love Northern Ireland. I go every year and love every minute. Beautiful scenery, great people and always delicious food. We go on the ferry from Scotland for a shorter crossing and it makes my day.

A few years after the war, when in single figures, I lived with my parents in Newcastle. Northern Ireland and the west was then so wild

Public transport wouldn’t be as frequent as in the UK but the train from Belfast to Derry is worth trying. Roads here are much less busy than UK so driving shouldn’t be too stressful.
It’s lovely to read so many positive comments about NI. I live near the north coast. We enjoy stunning scenery, great food and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I would not swap it for anywhere else.

I’m on the Stena mailing list and received this a few days ago. It sounds like a lovely day out if anyone fancies a day trip to N.Ireland to visit the Balmoral Show at Lisburn about 10 miles from Belfast.

Return day ticket for seniors is just £40 which includes return ferry ticket from Cairnryan to Belfast, coach transfer to the Balmoral Show and admission to the show. Then coach back to the ferry at 5pm for the 7.30pm sailing.

I’ll try to attach the links here to both the Stena advert and the Balmoral Show if it’s of interest to anyone.

www.stenaline.co.uk/special-offers/balmoral-show-day-trip-deal

balmoralshow.co.uk/whats-on

My cousin lives in Donegal, at Malin Head. It’s so beautiful and I wish we had time to visit him there, but we have a lot to cram into our week as it is. The house we lived in when we were stationed there looked across Lough Foyle to Donegal. I used to love to watch the weather sweeping across the water! Apart from one journey down to Lisburn to visit friends, we never got a chance to see the interior of the country. We missed so much.

Rosbeg in Donegal is my all time favourite x

Been lots of times. This time hired a car and drove round the whole island of Ireland. In the north I found Derry more attractive than Belfast. Find all the flag flying in the north pretty off putting and sad that when we did the 'troubles' bus tour it was obvious just how divided certain areas still are. I knew this of course, but it's sad nevertheless.

Ive enjoyed many holidays in Northern Ireand since 1988 I love the people the countryside the coast and the culture

As i live on the outskirts of Belfast, it is so lovely to realise so many of you have visited and enjoyed the Northern Irish hospitality. It’s a great place to live!

Polremy

Sago, how did you get around in Northern Ireland?
Public bus? Coach? train?
I’d love to visit but wouldn’t relish driving.

We flew over and friends from Dublin picked us up but in Belfast we used the HoHo, you buy your tickets by the City Hall, this includes entry and transport to the Titanic Experience, we then hopped back on to do the full tour that includes the Shankhill and Falls Rd, if time had allowed we would have gone around twice, it was fascinating.

You can get on and off at any point.

The Irish are so witty.
Sporting events often involve counties.
To hear one side of a stadium roar
Up Down. Up Down. Up Down.
And all stand and sit in perfect synch to the chant
Like a bespoke Mexican wave.

I’m signed up to the DFDS newsletter and came across something similar the other day. Looks like they’ve got a few good deals running too for short trips especially from the UK to places like Amsterdam or France.

Might be of interest to anyone who fancies a change of scenery or a mini break by ferry. Just thought I’d share in case it’s useful.

ferrygogo.co.uk/dfds-discount-code-20-off-sailings-to-amsterdam/

Would I need a passport to visit Ireland north or south.
I keep reading conflicting reports.
Some say (airlines) Ryan air say yes need passport
Other say driving licence ok but bring passport just in case either flying or ferry.

I've not had a passport for over 40 yrs and at the age of almost 70 not really needing one.

Northern Ireland no bikergran it’s part of the UK, Southern Ireland ii depends, photo id definitely, I’d take my passport.
Check exactly which part you’re going to, for instance Donegal is in the republic, not Northern Ireland.

A beautiful country with beautiful people.

It’s the airlines require photo identification, so they suggest driving license or passport , no ID needed otherwise

I haven't travelled anywhere for a long time.
But you could just buy your ticket and walk or drive on to a ferry as Ireland was is a common travel area.
So like going from say England to Scotland.
Airlines have their own rules for security reasons. As would be the case flying from London to Glasgow.
Incidentally there is no such country as Southern Ireland.
There is the island of Ireland.
There is the political entity known as Northern Ireland. which is part of the UK.
And there is the nation state called the Republic of Ireland.

Thankyou all for the info