Antrim

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Just thinking of the drive with little uns

I've only been over here 18 months or so, i'm not dead familiar with the North or the border counties....i'm not too sure there are many 'direct' routes outside of the Dublin - Belfast route but i'd be glad to be corrected by some of the actual Irish posters....

 

[uncle fester]

As others have said can be a bit bleak if weather is against you

Dunluce Castle quite atmospheric - some fairly basic interactive stuff for kids videos etc

https://www.glenarmcastle.com/dunluce-castle - think Glenarm is more of an Estate check the link to see if it suits

Portrush is a seaside town in the Blackpool tradition although Barry's funfair might have something for the young'uns

http://www.barrysamusements.com/

Mussenden Temple is further along the coast - views are great

https://discovernorthernireland.com...-Downhill-Demesne-Castlerock-Coleraine-P2928/

 

[allblackcitizen]

My best mate lives in a small town on the Antrim coast called Whitehead, just north of Carrickfergus (which is just north of Belfast), and have visited loads of times, both alone and with the family.

Belfast Zoo is pretty good (in north Belfast). Carrickfergus Castle is fun if your kids are into castles, knights etc. Ballycastle is pretty and has a few nice bars and restaurants. The Glens are good for a walk, and there's a country park in one of them. The drive north along the coast from Larne is great. Giants Causeway, obviously. There's the Gobbins and Carrick-a-Rede? rope bridge. Not been up to Portrush and Port Stewart.

One time we drove over to Donegal and around the Inishowen peninsular and Malin Head etc, which was great and is probably the easiest and nearest bit of the Republic.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

With a little help froM the comments above we are slowly coming up with a plan for our trip..

... next question...

Is there anywhere you would suggest heading to in the republic ? Sligo looks the most direct place ?

DONEGAL...DONEGAL...DONEGAL

My favourite place on the planet.

If you are in County Antrim...just go around the North Coast...through Derry/Londonderry and into Donegal....if only to visit Muff ;-)

Personally i love the southern part of Donegal...we take our old VW to Rossnowlagh for surfing...its beautiful...then you can head on to Sligo and Galway. The West cost of Ireland is amazing....good for the soul :-)

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

https://www.wildatlanticway.com/home

Check that site out

 

[Bluesince1979]

Just in my hotel waiting to go for a meal in Antrim after 3 amazing days in Northern Ireland.

Done the Giants Causeway and Portstewart first day which was breathtaking.

Belfast, the titanic museum and Crumlin Gaol yesterday and even popped over to the shankill and falls road to see the murals etc. Everything very interesting.

Today was Derry. Utterly amazing history.

Loved every second of it and the people have been brilliant.

 

[Bill]

Just in my hotel waiting to go for a meal in Antrim after 3 amazing days in Northern Ireland.

Done the Giants Causeway and Portstewart first day which was breathtaking.

Belfast, the titanic museum and Crumlin Gaol yesterday and even popped over to the shankill and falls road to see the murals etc. Everything very interesting.

Today was Derry. Utterly amazing history.

Loved every second of it and the people have been brilliant.

hoping to go in the spring. can't wait.

 

[Bluesince1979]

hoping to go in the spring. can't wait.

Loved every second of it. Crumlin gaol was amazing.
As was Derry. Mindblowimg how close the two divided communities actually lived and the trouble that went on. Literally round the cormer from each other. Same with the shankill and the falls, not even a mile away

 

[Bluesince1979]

Its looks like the country has come a hell of a long way in a relatively short space of time

 

[SilverFox2]

My vote goes to Donegal.
Most northern part of Ireland despite being part of Southern Ireland. So much natural beauty.