4 minute read
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
Irish eyes are always smiling
What better way to see Northern Ireland and Donegal than taking a road trip?
IF YOU WANT to get a proper feel for a country rather than ying in and sticking to the cities, hop in your car or a campervan and take a road trip. You can stay in a di erent location e ery night and go where the mood takes you in between.
Every mile of a tour around Northern Ireland and Donegal throws up an inspiring view: lush green meadows, pretty market towns and villages, breathtaking sea views or bustling cities like Belfast and (London) Derry. You do have to remember to keep your eyes on the road too!
The ferry crossing from Liverpool to Belfast takes eight hours so if that’s too long on the water for you, it’s worth sailing from Holyhead to Dublin which only takes three. Then you can head north and start your holiday immediately immersed in the ever beautiful scenery. This way you can also add in a whistle stop ferry crossing across the lough from Strangford to Portaferry giving you access to the east coast, south of Belfast. This will whet your appetite for the winding Causeway coastline in the north and the rugged Wild Atlantic Way through Donegal to the west. ut first you ll want to stop in elfast the birthplace of the RMS Titanic. Visit the Belfast Titanic Experience on the site of the former arland ol shipyard in the city’s Titanic Quarter and follow the legendary ocean liner’s fateful journey across the Atlantic. Then, visit the Peace Walls and learn about the Troubles which o cially ended with the Good riday Agreement in 1998 but, as we know, still reverberate through many aspects of life today. Lots of food for thought there. If you want to pick up supplies for your road trip, St George’s Market is the last surviving covered Victorian market in Belfast and well worth a pitstop.
Then it’s time to start your Causeway Coastal Scenic Drive which is 130 miles from Belfast to Derry and takes in various set locations for the Game of Thrones. There are some hair-raising twists and turns as you hug the coast but with designated areas of outstanding natural beauty along the way, the views are well worth it. The Torr Head Scenic Route takes you past one dramatic headland after another including Murlough Bay and Fair Head which, at 600m above sea level, is a mecca for climbers. It is believed to be the biggest expanse of climbable rock in Ireland and Britain. If visibility is good, The Mull of Kintyre is only 12 miles across the water from Torr Head. e t up is orthern sland s first UNESCO Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway. Some people suggest it is underwhelming but we would disagree. Standing in the shadow of the hills surrounding the Causeway and amphitheatre, the atmosphere is thrilling as you follow in the footsteps of legendary giant Finn McCool and wonder at the 40,000 basalt columns created almost 60 million years ago here are also di erent cli top walks for all abilities to give a bird’s eye view of the Causeway.
Next up is the Old Bushmill’s Distillery, the world’s oldest licenced distillery, but do book ahead if you want a tour. Passing Portrush with its wide Whiterocks beach surrounded by limestone cli s and popular for its watersports and caves you’re on your way to (London)Derry.
This city is packed full of history and is one of the finest e amples of a walled city in Europe with the only remaining completely intact walls and seven gates. Derry has been put on the map more recently because of the popular erry Girls series ou ll find a mural of the girls (and the English boy, James) in Orchard Street but do also make a trip to see the Derry murals at the People’s Gallery in the Bogside.
If you haven’t had enough of spectacular, rugged coastlines you may want to hop across into Southern Ireland and visit the county of Donegal. By a strange quirk of geography, Donegal is situated to the west of Northern Ireland and its tip is further north than the most northerly tip of Northern Ireland, Malin Head.
The Inishowen peninsula near Derry marks the start (or end depending on which way you approach it) of the Wild Atlantic Way. It stretches 2,700 km from County Donegal to Cork taking in the southern counties of Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry in between. There are extra side shoots to take if you want to put even more miles under your belt. This route shows you the wild side of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline which is stunning on blazing summer days and even more dramatic during the inevitable rain storms you’ll drive through. The grass doesn’t grow this lush and green without plenty of water.
In terms of places to rest your head each evening, you’ll be spoiled for choice. There are hundreds of self-catered cottages to rent, B&Bs, glamping pods, campsites and rooms in the ever welcoming Irish pubs.
Just remember to take your time, watch the road, and enjoy the ride!
