Hi, im planning trip by car from Dublin to Hillsborough Castle to see the dress exhibition. Then hope to drive to Derry city to spend a few days there. Is there anything touristy between the 2 places. Of interest would be ancient history, petting farms especially with alpacas or Highland coos. Or even a nice shopping centre for a pit stop. Also as a mixed race family, is there anywhere to avoid. I've been to Belfast city many times and felt comfortable there. Just asking because of recent events. Similar stuff in dublin but I know where not to go there
Thanking you in advance
by Aggressive-Body-882
25 comments
I’d suggest a stop in Randlestown, just a beautiful town nothing explicitly touristy there but the town is lovely especially in the summer with a pretty nice walk over an old viaduct and few nice coffee shops its well worth a quick stop to take it in!
Looks like this route is bringing you through it anyway!
If you have the time, take the north coastal route to Derry.
Breathtaking scenery most of the way.
It’s not clear from your post where your home country is. Just be aware that Dublin to Belfast is an international border that may require a visa.
Check out Antrim Castle Gardens. It has a lovely walk which leads you to the marina at Lough Neagh.
Rose Park Farm is excellent but that might be a little out of the road as it’s in Ballymoney.
Bellaghy has the Seamus Heaney museum which is great but maybe only suitable for older kids. Also there is a lovely, albeit short walk at Church Island which is also linked to the famous poet.
If you decide to take the scenic route up over the Sperrins, check out the giants at the Sperrin Sculpture Trail. Ceoldán is located at the observatory and has toilets and a shop as well if you need a pitstop.
Hope you guys have a great trip.
Just a heads up that the dress exhibition, assuming it’s the royal one, is a 10 minute visit at most. But the castle tour is well worth the visit 🙂
[deleted]
Highland ‘coos’ are a Scottish thing. You might see that breed of cow in Ireland but don’t be that tourist who generalises and groups everyone from the UK and Ireland into the same bracket. People will thank you for educating yourselves.
just outside Derry, in Donegal, there is a wildlife sanctuary called Wild Ireland, no petting zoo in it, just viewing though
If you’re in Derry on a nice day, head over to Donegal and check out the Grianán of Aileach. It’s a hillfort that you can climb on, and the views are spectacular. If you’d like to see an ancient stone circle, [Beltany Stone Circle](https://share.google/OPmtTppX0GfmVKQZ7) isn’t too far away, and it’s one of the biggest in the country. It’s also located on a site with pretty spectacular views.
Check out Grange Water Open Farm, which is just outside Desertmartin which is around 4 miles from Magherafelt. It’s a smaller, lessor known petting farm but it would be a nice pit stop on your way, if looking for a petting farm. Have a great trip!
Gortin Glens to see the three Danbo Giants then on to American Folk Park in Omagh
We really enjoyed Wild Ireland outside of Derry. It’s a sanctuary for wolves and bears. Only been once, we hit nice timing so where able to make the the animal info talks as we walked around. https://wildireland.org/
I drove that way once hoping to finally see the largest lake in Ireland but it’s hidden away somewhere. Not sure how they manage to do it.
There’s a pyramid in Garvagh forest, for real not joking either
You’re well away from Ballymena so you’ll be fine.
Stop for a pint and a bite to eat at Ponderosa. Ireland Highest Pub
Jungle NI in Moneymore is OK for kids tree walking and Llamma trekking.
If you haven’t been to Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede roap bridge you should definitely go there. In that order (of importance).
There is nothing of interest for a tourist on this route other than scenery. I live on it and drive it regularly
If you want ancient history stop off at new grange in Co Meath it’s older than the pyramids and stone henge.
Hillsborough Castle 5 mins from Sprucefield. Opposite Castle is Old Fort with access to lake and park coffee Kiosk there too .Hillside or Plough bith lovely meals
https://preview.redd.it/ykbsx4y2hmkf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=9f5ad58ff69b822058448f0e9822bd7670fdc0d5
If you are in Derry, go to inishowen. There is a class alpaca farm below. Stunning views. Also go to grianan of aileach. If travelling to the north coast from derry go via the bishops road
[https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1524088-d19938844-Reviews-Wild_Alpaca_Way-Malin_Head_County_Donegal.html](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1524088-d19938844-Reviews-Wild_Alpaca_Way-Malin_Head_County_Donegal.html)
Go to cookstown beraghmore stone circle and the oga stone, really interesting one of the first written languages found on the island and there’s also a beautiful forest walk near the stone circles, really interesting sites
You can call into Magherafelt to experience life in Northern Ireland in 1996
If you have your own transport, I’d recommend [Wild Ireland](https://wildireland.org/) in Donegal. It’s less than 15 minutes from Derry. It’s home to animals that are (or were) native to the island of Ireland. It’s also involved with a lot of animal welfare charities, and some of their animals are rescues (notably the bears, who were rescued from a circus on the continent). It’s an interesting experience. 🙂
If you’re renting a car, you might incur some additional fees for crossing the border, so I’d check that out, but it’s well worth the spin. 🙂
Comments are closed.