Northern Ireland 'must-visit' recommendations wanted

[NickRobinson]

Hi All

As some may know, I'm setting off from Preston next week on my slow round Britain on Rivendell.

Any recommendations for marinas to miss or not miss? Places to see? We're not into Troubles tourism, but we'd like to do the Giant's Causeway by sea and foot so Coleraine may figure. Would you prefer Bangor or Carrickfergus, for example?

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We're heading for Castletown then Ardglass. SWMBO is flying home from Belfast a week later and I'm heading for Scotland solo.

 

[causeway]

If you are doing the giants causeway then portrush might be as good a stop as any. The marina isn't great but there are plenty of pubs and eateries. Rathlin and ballycastle are nice. There is a lovely walk around Rathlin and there is a puffin sanctuary.

Watch out for the tides and ovefalls in Rathlin race. The entrance to the river bann (Barr mouth) can be nasty in a nwesterly.

If you need anything when you are in the area let me know as I live in Coleraine.

 

[bigwow]

Bushmills is worth a visit, wife did so much sampling she doesn't remember going there.:encouragement:

 

[DavidMcMullan]

Bangor and Carrickfergus are both good marinas. Being closer to the mouth of Belfast Lough, Bangor cuts down your miles travelled. There is also a safe yacht pontoon at Belfast, which is near the Titanic Museum.

 

[Daydream believer]

I am doing the same
Currently in dun Laoghaire heading for ardglass tomorrow
Definitely do not want to miss Glenarm enjoyed it last time due to its similarity to a scottish border village with kirk etc
Plus of course the sea
I shall also go to ballycastle

 

[Daydream believer]

I am doing the same
Currently in dun Laoghaire heading for ardglass tomorrow
Definitely do not want to miss Glenarm enjoyed it last time due to its similarity to a scottish border village with kirk etc
Plus of course the sea
I shall also go to ballycastle

 

[Gordonmc]

Banger is a good one... right in the middle of a pleasant town with easy public transport to Belfast (that is, if you opt not to park in Belfast itself). In Belfast put your head into The Crown opposite the Europa Hotel. Owned by the National Trust because of the Victorian interior decorated by Italian artisans. Good food.
Titanic Centre wasn't my bag, but hey.
Glenarm is a good stop off if going North.
As others said Portrush or Ballycastle for the Giants Causeway and Bushmills. Watch it going round Tor Head as the McDonnell Race is formidable if you get the tide wrong.
If going to Ballycastle, which has a good marina with an obliging HM, ask for the Mauri for good food, although the chipper at the entrance to the marina isn't to be sniffed at. It is, or was, run by the HM's dad.
Fuel to be had by arrangement from a bowser.
Rathlin is a bit of a marmite destination. I like it but its pot luck in the pub. Either a great night or as dead as a doornail.

 

[skipperwales]

Bangor is a great marina, Ardglass is well placed geographically, but spent an evening in a pub there a couple of years ago trying to count up reasons to come back. Got to two - but did visit again - fond memories of arriving about 3 am, dog tired and asking a crew member who was clearly equally tired to hop ashore with the bow line. He did - with the entire line including both ends- and yesy I know it was my fault!

 

[Sybarite]

Strangford Lough is not to miss.

 

[pagoda]

I am doing the same
Currently in dun Laoghaire heading for ardglass tomorrow
Definitely do not want to miss Glenarm enjoyed it last time due to its similarity to a scottish border village with kirk etc
Plus of course the sea
I shall also go to ballycastle

You can get buses from Ballycastle to Bushmills or Giant's Causeway quite easily. Not far , not expensive. (no driving either!)
Glenarm is fairly cute, though with nowhere really to eat, just a couple of non-food pubs. Ballycastle and Portrush have loads of places you can eat - and plenty of shops too.

 

[lpdsn]

Strangford Lough is in the 'must see' category. Don't be put off because it's glossed over in the almanac.

Bangor is better run than Carrick (IMHO) but is more expensive.

Worth going up to Belfast. You need to go through the formalities with Belfast Harbour radio on channel 12, but it is less hassle than it sounds.
Good as a tourist, but Bangor or Carrick better if you want to stock up on grub etc.

2nd pub up in Glenarm sometimes does Irish Stew, but otherwise the village is not set up to feed yotties.

 

[wully1]

We had a great time wherever we went! I'm longing to go back over in my boat.

Colraine was our favourite - if I was forced to choose one.

 

[NickRobinson]

Thanks all (so far) first hand info is priceless!

 

[cid]

if going in to Ardglass note the golf club does good grub and welcomes visiting sailors

 

[JumbleDuck]

Strangford Lough is in the 'must see' category. Don't be put off because it's glossed over in the almanac.

It's on my list for the week after next, if the weather sends me south from the Clyde. It looks very nice in the sailing directions - am I right in thinking that one might happily potter away a few days inside?

 

[Sybarite]

It's on my list for the week after next, if the weather sends me south from the Clyde. It looks very nice in the sailing directions - am I right in thinking that one might happily potter away a few days inside?

Absolutely.

 

[pdonaldson]

Inyourfootsteps.com

 

[Spyro]

I've done as Pagoda said. Stay in Ballycastle and bus to Bushmills, the same bus on the way back passes the Giants Causeway and the Cartick a Rede rope bridge. I thought the Giants Causeway was a bit of a waste of time, it's quite long walk down to it and once I got there I thought it was interesting for about 5 mins. I thought Belfast was the most worthwhile stopping point, the marina is almost right in city centre.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Absolutely.

Merci beaucoup. I like to do a bit of sailing and then a bit of exploring - it suits my youthful crew - so Plan A (winds with some north) is Clyde - Strangford, play about, Strangford to IoM, play about, then on where the wind takes us.

As a supplementary, where would the panel suggest leaving a boat in Strangford while going away for the day. I trust my CQR, but would need somewhere secure for the dinghy. Marinas not objected to if necessary.

 

[NickRobinson]

Inyourfootsteps.com

Looks full of info- thanks