NorthernIreland
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in Northern Ireland reveal the most extraordinary natural, historical and urban landscape in Ireland. The UNESCO Giant's Causeway of 40,000 basalt columns, the terrifying Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the extraordinary Titanic Belfast museum above the slipways where the ship was built, the political murals of West Belfast and the finest mountain range in Ulster at the Mournes are all within reach of a coastal circuit. This route drives the finest coastal road in Ireland from the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle through Belfast's extraordinary Titanic Quarter and political heritage to the Glens of Antrim and the Mourne Mountains. Three days that reveal a Northern Ireland of extraordinary natural beauty, complex history and warm hospitality.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Fly into Belfast International or George Best Belfast City
Getting Around
Car essential. Coastal Route A2 is the finest road in Ireland
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 260 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, coastal and mountain walking
DAY 1
THE CAUSEWAY COAST
MORNING
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY NATURAL WONDER IN IRELAND
The Giant's Causeway is the most extraordinary natural wonder in the British Isles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created 60 million years ago by volcanic activity forming the most remarkable geometric natural pavement in the world. The extraordinary Causeway headland, the Organ Pipe columns and the extraordinary coastal walk to Hamilton's Seat viewpoint are all remarkable. Entry to visitor centre approx 14 pounds, causeway itself free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE, THE MOST TERRIFYING BRIDGE IN BRITAIN
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge connects the mainland to a tiny island across a 30-metre chasm 30 metres above the crashing Atlantic, originally erected by salmon fishermen in 1755. The extraordinary one-at-a-time crossing over the swaying bridge and the extraordinary views along the Causeway Coast from the island make it the finest short coastal experience in Northern Ireland. National Trust, entry approx 12 pounds. Book ahead. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
DUNLUCE CASTLE, THE MOST DRAMATIC CASTLE RUIN IN IRELAND
Dunluce Castle on its extraordinary promontory of basalt above the Atlantic is the most dramatically sited castle in Ireland, its extraordinary ruins perched above a sea cave connected to the castle above by a tunnel. The castle kitchen fell into the sea in 1639 during a banquet. The adjacent Mermaid's Cave below the castle is accessible at low tide. The Game of Thrones filming location adds an extra dimension. Entry approx 6 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Dark Hedges near Armoy, the extraordinary tunnel of ancient beech trees planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family lining the approach road to Gracehill House, is the most photographed natural feature in Northern Ireland and the finest tree avenue in Ireland. Used as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones. The trees are most extraordinary at dawn before visitors arrive. The 1-mile walk along the avenue is entirely free. Arrive before 8am in summer.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Causeway Hotel Outstanding Ulster breakfast at the finest hotel on the Causeway Coast. Full Ulster fry extraordinary. | Lunch: The Nook, Bushmills Outstanding Northern Irish lunch in the finest village on the coast. Local salmon and soda bread. | Dinner: The Bushmills Inn The finest inn on the Causeway Coast. Outstanding local food and Bushmills whiskey tasting.
DAY 2
BELFAST
MORNING
THE TITANIC BELFAST MUSEUM, THE FINEST MUSEUM IN IRELAND
The Titanic Belfast museum in the extraordinary ship-shaped building above the slipways where the Titanic was built is the finest museum in Ireland and one of the finest in the British Isles, its extraordinary galleries telling the complete story of the Titanic from design through construction to sinking with remarkable technical detail and moving personal accounts. The SS Nomadic alongside is the last White Star Line vessel afloat. Entry approx 22 pounds. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE FALLS ROAD AND SHANKILL ROAD MURALS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY POLITICAL ART IN EUROPE
The political murals of West Belfast are the most extraordinary political street art in Europe, their vivid depictions of the Troubles, of international political solidarity and of the peace process giving an extraordinary visual history of Northern Ireland's recent past. The Black Taxi tours with former paramilitaries from both communities are the finest and most nuanced way to experience the murals. Entry free, taxi tour approx 35 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE CATHEDRAL QUARTER AND ST ANNE'S CATHEDRAL
Belfast's Cathedral Quarter around the magnificent St Anne's Church of Ireland Cathedral is the finest arts and culture district in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary independent bars, the Oh Yeah Music Centre and the Ulster Museum's extraordinary collections making it the finest afternoon district in the city. The Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street, the finest Victorian pub in Ireland, is a National Trust property. Entry to Crown free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Crumlin Road Gaol in north Belfast is the most extraordinary Victorian prison in Ireland, its extraordinary radial design, the underground tunnel connecting it to the courthouse across the road and its remarkable history as both a political prison during the Troubles and the location of the last execution in Northern Ireland in 1961 making it the finest dark tourism attraction in Belfast. The guided tours are extraordinary. Entry approx 13 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Barking Dog, Belfast Outstanding Belfast breakfast at the finest independent restaurant in the Cathedral Quarter. | Lunch: St George's Market, Belfast The finest covered market in Ireland. Outstanding street food, local cheese and soda bread on Saturday. | Dinner: Ox, Belfast The finest restaurant in Northern Ireland. Outstanding local produce tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
THE GLENS OF ANTRIM AND THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS
MORNING
GLENARIFF, THE QUEEN OF THE GLENS OF ANTRIM
Glenariff is the most extraordinary of the nine Glens of Antrim, its extraordinary waterfall walk through the gorge known as the Arcadian Valley of Ireland giving access to a series of remarkable cascades in ancient woodland. The glen was called the Queen of Glens by Thackeray and the finest walking in Antrim. The waterfall trail is 3 miles through extraordinary oak and ash woodland. Entry to forest park approx 5 pounds per car. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
RATHLIN ISLAND, THE MOST NORTHERLY POINT IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Rathlin Island 6 miles offshore from Ballycastle is the most northerly island in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary L-shaped profile, the RSPB seabird centre at the West Lighthouse with its thousands of nesting puffins, razorbills and guillemots in spring and summer and the extraordinary Kebble National Nature Reserve making it the finest wildlife island in Ireland. Ferry from Ballycastle approx 12 pounds return. Book ahead in summer. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS AND THE MOURNE WALL
The Mourne Mountains in County Down are the finest mountain range in Ireland outside Kerry, their extraordinary granite domes, the remarkable Mourne Wall enclosing the water catchment in a 35-km circuit of dry stone walling and the extraordinary Slieve Donard at 2,792 feet giving the finest views over the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man and Snowdonia. The walk from Newcastle to the summit takes 3 hours. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Kinbane Head promontory near Ballycastle is one of the most extraordinary hidden headlands in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary ruined castle on a narrow limestone promontory above the sea accessible only by a steep path from the car park above. The extraordinary views from the headland to Rathlin Island, to Kintyre in Scotland and along the Causeway Coast are the finest on the north Antrim coast. Entirely free. The most extraordinary sunset viewpoint on the Causeway Coast.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Londonderry Arms, Carnlough Outstanding Ulster breakfast at the finest hotel in the Glens of Antrim. | Lunch: McCuaig's Bar, Rathlin Island Outstanding island pub lunch above the extraordinary harbour. Local crab and Antrim sea trout. | Dinner: Brunel's, Newcastle The finest restaurant in the Mournes. Outstanding local seafood and Mourne lamb.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bushmills, Night 1 The Bushmills Inn. Approx 120 to 200 GBP per night including dinner. Belfast, Night 2 The Merchant Hotel or Ten Square. Approx 120 to 250 GBP per night. Newcastle, Night 3 The Slieve Donard Resort. Approx 100 to 200 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Giant's Causeway before 9am: the causeway is entirely free and magnificent before the visitor centre opens.
2. Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge: book online at nationaltrust.org.uk. Walk-ups are rarely available in summer.
3. Dark Hedges at dawn: arrive before 7am in summer. The avenue is photographed by hundreds of visitors daily.
4. Titanic Belfast: allow 3 hours. The museum is the finest in Ireland and requires more time than most visitors allow.
5. Black Taxi mural tour: the finest experience in Belfast. Former paramilitaries from both sides give extraordinary accounts.
6. Mourne Wall walk: the complete 35km circuit takes 2 days. The Slieve Donard section alone is a full day.
Total Budget
100 to 255 GBP/day