August visit to Ireland staying mostly north (geographically)

Welcome aboard Neil, hope you have a great stay in the North.

Omagh, I've done very little travelling in/around. you mention the ulster museum (I take it you mean the ulster/American folk park?) is that's your thing then there are a couple of other ulster/American things too. check out the Andrew Jackson cottage , Carrickfergus (also has the GI museum to the rear) and the folk end of the folk and transport museum outside Belfast.

I rate carrickarede better than the causeway itself, but could get lynched for saying that. Some of the glen forest parks a maybe worth a visit if you're round that way.

I have put links up to a couple of beach wild camps in/around Donegal. full reports when you join up, but check out silver strand and muckross/mucros on google earth. these might be further down than you want to go. if you do end up down there slieve league is unmissable, even if you only drive to the top car park and don't go any further.

howth harbour is probably the best camping near Dublin harbour. Don't go near Bull island (beach nearer to the port), it's a nogo with regard to camping, too much theft risk and visitors during the night expecting to share your bed!!

enjoy your stay. someone will be along with more info then me shortly

In the ROI they have just introduced Eircodes but I'm not sure if many SATNAV systems have them yet.
Best to get GPS Coordinates.
Enjoy your travels.

Having come from port Isaac in Cornwall with a Plymouth (Devon) postcode that covered a large area I like the eircode which is house/property specific I like eircodes especially when satnavs get them.

Thanks for advice so far.
I have been across Carick a rede many years ago but only made it to the car park of the causeway hence my desire to visit. I like going to places mentioned in Van Morrisson songs but most of them are too far east and for another trip. I believe it is the Ulster Folk museum that the wife wants to go to for a camping night which will involve leaving the luxury of our van to once again sleep under canvas. As I only have less that a week to read up and check maps before leaving, is joining worthwhile. Is this the forum with the wild camping map? Is Rathlin Island possible to visit? One other thought, is scuba diving, I would like to do a dive can anyone recommend a dive company Donegal or around that area where I can hire all equipment and dive? Thanks

Hi Neil, hope you enjoy your trip even though you are missing out the Sunny South East, Wexford. Forget about Eircodes, they're rubbish. You would be far better off using Loc8 codes, a system that works and has been in daily use for a number of years. Tom Tom, Garmin and others support Loc8. Check it out.
http://www.myloc8ion.com/

You can visit rathlin Island but only on foot or bicycle.

Yes we have the wild camping map.

With the giants causeway unless you are a national trust member there can be issues parking there, as well as the cost of walking through a building, my advice is, if visiting it then either walk around or over it as the causeway itself is free, it's the visitor centre which costs a fortune for very little content.

Thanks again for local advice, we do have national trust membership, so may visit the causeway and rope bridge to make uses of the membership I am also sure my young lads will be impressed by the causeway. It will complete the Finn Mc whats his name story. I parked at the causeway on my vespa about 20 years ago and didn't want to risk getting by bags knicked so missed seeing the actual causeway. I now have to seen those big stones. I have never heard of McGilligans ferry, looks interesting.
Having read earlier post about Howth harbour being a better choice for Dublin that Bull Island, on the map they look quite close, I have read that Howth is pretty dead on as they say in the north.

I have found a couple of sites on Achill Island Keel Sandybanks and Lavelle's Caravan and Camping park, the later of which looks nicer. Does anyone have experience of these sites. They look like the beach is walking distance from the camp site which is always a massive bonus.

Lough Foyle Ferry Company
www.loughfoyleferry.com/


Limavady Borough Council - Benone Tourist Complex ...
www.limavady.gov.uk › Visiting

these are 10 mins drive from each other,enjoy

Been about 5 years or so since climbed Croagh myself many' a young child passed me on my
Ascent and Decent some without footwear braver than me,does get loose under foot on the
last climb to the summit if you take your time and stop and rest with children you should be
okay Visitors center at foot of Croagh give you more info than me or someone more local.Small
Site near Croagh on main W'Port Louisburgh road think just after Visitors Centre I think looks good
to me don't think would be high in the star ratings if still open ?Belmullet and surrounding Area have
Some nice beaches one in particular a new favourite of mine a friend and member on here told me
about.Croagh was one of my Bucketlist to do's glad I did.

Try Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills ok it is 5*. Do visit the Hedges Armoy and Ballintoy Harbour where the Game of Thrones was filmed. For the area check out visitcausewaycoastandglen.com. Do remamber the Portrush Air Show Air Waves Portrush 5 & 6 September 12 - 5.30pm Reds on both days