Northern Ireland in September

[Paul Russell]

Hi there

I have to fly to Antrim (from Dorset) in the Autumn for a meeting thing in September.

Seems a shame to come back next day as I've never been to Northern Ireland, so I was thinking of making a mini-holiday of it - say three or four nights.

Any recommendations? I have a very limited budget so places with cheapo hotels are good! (My first night's accommodation in Antrim will be sorted out for me.)

I'm a sort of city person, so I will be visiting Belfast, of course (not just the airport).

Maybe go down to Dublin as well on the train, etc., although I think Dublin is quite expensive hotel wise?

Giant's Causeway?

Advice appreciated.

Paul

[twisted]

there was quite an extensive thread on this a few months back
try having a search (i haven't time right now)

goes into quite a bit of depth in what to do in NI in 48 hours

leave Dublin for another time (maybe) and get the fuck out of Antrim as quick as you can

[Chorlton]

get the fuck out of Antrim as quick as you can


bollocks.


Causeway, white park bay, bushmills distillery, the glens of antrim, the antrim coast road (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6141692.stm), carrick-a-rede....


there are a lot of reasons to stay in antrim - just avoid the larger towns

[Paul Russell]

I don't know if they meant Antrim town (city?) itself, which is where I'm heading, and I've heard is not overexciting.

BTW, I don't have a driving licence, so will be be using trains/buses.

bollocks.


Causeway, white park bay, bushmills distillery, the glens of antrim, the antrim coast road (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6141692.stm), carrick-a-rede....


there are a lot of reasons to stay in antrim - just avoid the larger towns

[Lea]

We recently spent a weekend in Belfast. On the Saturday we took a day trip to the Giant's Causeway which takes roughly about 3 hours each way from Belfast by public transport. The only problem is with public transport is that the buses to and from Giant's Causeway are few and far between.

[Chorlton]

We recently spent a weekend in Belfast. On the Saturday we took a day trip to the Giant's Causeway which takes roughly about 3 hours each way from Belfast by public transport. The only problem is with public transport is that the buses to and from Giant's Causeway are few and far between.

there is a youth hostel pretty near by and in summer the roads, certainly used to, have quite a few people hitch-hiking back to portrush where you can get on the 3rd world train (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2644128.ece)

Apologies twisted if you meant antrim town then i concur - its a shit-hole

[twisted]

bollocks.




I meant Antrim the town of course...I thought it was stange that someone was trying to defend it but then saw your later message

Found the old thread by the way: http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=196155&highlight=Giant%27s+Causeway

[Paul Russell]

Oh, I can do that England!

3rd world train

[Paul Russell]

Cheers for the suggestions -- I've had a bit of a rethink. I'll probably spend a couple of days in Belfast and then get the train to Dublin for a couple of days. Maybe get a flight back from Dublin.

The rural stuff sounds good if you're travelling around by car but I don't think I can be arsed with buses and stuff, plus I'm a bit of an "urban" person really.

I've just realised that Belfast International Airport is about 6 miles from Antrim town plus there's a coach link from the airport to Antrim (edit: possibly).

Which is handy as I almost booked a flight the other day to Belfast City airport, which is on the "wrong side" of Belfast!

[twisted]

Antrim can't be considered urban I'm afraid. Luckily there's good coach links from Int'l airport to Belfast.

[Deareg]

if you are a history buff then belfast can be very interesting, there are diferent tours being done now around the various trouble spots and of miltown cemetary, where most of the republicans are buried, which are quite cheap