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.

I live in a coastal town called Carrickfergus which has an 11 century castle and is full of lovely friendly people. Carrickfergus is the gateway to the north coast, be sure to visit, you’ll love it. Xx

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

We’re going there next week and now looking forward to it even more having read all your comments. I’ve planned an itinerary which, after two nights in Belfast, takes in the North Coast, Coleraine to Londonderry by train (a recommended journey, then south to the Mountains of Mourne before circling back to Belfast. I was last there in 1964 since which time so much has happened. Looking at maps and doing research there were so many names evocative of the ‘Troubles’.

We took our family a couple of times once via a normal ferry and once by a catamaran. The children loved it. My DB used to have to visit every couple of months for work and came back with some scary but funny stories. He must have stood out like a sore thumb in some of the areas he had to visit. He always hired a car with local number plates otherwise he’d get stopped by the police and the paramilitary groups. He loved the people and the area.

My daughter in law is from Belfast, and my grandchildren now live there! We regularly go on holiday with them to Portrush, which is a lovely seaside town. The north coast is really beautiful.

I’m glad so many of you have had great experiences here. I’m near the North coast of Antrim and drive around the coast once or twice a week and am still in awe of it every time from when I moved here 34 years ago.

Jaxjacky

If you have time sago Belfast Castle, smashing views and find the cats

Home now, we didn’t give ourselves long enough in Belfast.
We will return but with the car next time.
I will put the Castle on my list.

If you have time sago Belfast Castle, smashing views and find the cats

I remember Derry airport. Such green scenery. Saw a mural in Foyleside Shopping Centre of the children of Lir. Poor things turned into swans by jealous second wife

We had 3 nights at St John’s Point County Down, we stayed in one of the lighthouse cottages, yesterday we checked in to the Fitzwilliam Belfast.
Today we did the Titanic museum and a HoHo tour of Belfast, the Falls and Shankhills Roads were fascinating, so sad to see the barriers, to think that all these years on such measures are necessary is very sad.

Jax I’d forgotten about the marching season.

My late Mum was from Co Tyrone, N Ireland and came to England as a new bride in 1945. She still called NI “home” and totally loved the place.

I remember flying in to Derry airport and looking down on all the emerald green fields with patches of bright yellow gorse.

We went on a day trip when we were staying at Largs travelling from Stranraer to Belfast by ferry and then by coach to Busmills distillery, which DH enjoyed because I don’t drink so he got twice the samples, and the Giants Causeway. We were supposed to get dropped at a restaurant on the way back to Belfast, but when we got there it was closed! The bus driver said did we all like fish and chips and he took us to a chippy where we all filled the shop and made their night. A lovely day, fondly remembered.

Northern Ireland has fantastic scenery, beaches, food, friendly people, unspoiled towns and villages, Belfast and hostory.

I was born and grew up in Belfast, emigrating to Canada many years ago to escape the troubles. I didn’t really appreciate its beauty until we returned for visits. The Mourne Mountains and the town of Newcastle are well worth a visit as are any of the small towns and villages along the Antrim coast.Belfast itself is a great city to walk everywhere.

Apparently, the Mountains of Mourne inspired some of Narnia.

My husband is Belfast born, and bred, he moved to England in 2001, we met in 1999, long distance courting for a while!
He says Ballycastle is a good central spot for local sights, if you’re there around the 12th be aware of the parades.

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?

I don’t know much about Ireland but would enjoy a trip there as I know the scenery is very beautiful.Perhaps Northern Ireland first then, after your recommendation Sago😃

The friendliest city I have visited.

I went there about 25 years ago. Lovely city plenty to see. I visited the Falls Road and saw the murals.

The Antrim coast road is beautiful.
Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway, lovely villages.

Bushmills Distillery too!

I recently went to Belfast, I too thought it was a surprising City.
Interesting History! Lovely funny locals, good food and I particularly enjoyed the Titanic Museum that's worth the trip alone.
I would definitely go back again.

I've only been once, but I really enjoyed my visit and would love to go back. I found Belfast a really interesting city, so much to see and do.