CAR HIRE IRELAND - Northern Ireland 7 Day Tour

» Day 1 Belfast to Ballycastle [65 miles]

Head north on M5 past Cave Hill’s famous profile and on A2 through Carrickfergus (Norman castle, town walls, US Rangers exhibition). At Kilroot power station turn north to Glenoe, for waterfalls and icecream (Maud’s), and take scenic upper road towards Larne, stopping for panoramas. The famous Antrim coast road runs through Glenarm, Carnlough, Cushendall, all great stops, and passes close to Layd Church, Ossian’s Grave and Cushendun. Stay with A2 across plateau or detour via steep minor roads (low gears!) to Torr Head and Murlough Bay. Before Fair Head, park, and walk to headland. At Bonamargy Friary (layby) you’re very nearly in Ballycastle. Time to visit Carrick-a-Rede ropebridge before the sun sets.

» Day 2 Ballycastle to Coleraine [25 miles]

If you missed the ropebridge last night, pop along first thing and then, if your plan is flexible, catch a morning ferry to Rathlin.
Otherwise stay with the coast road (B15) passing Kinbane Head and Larrybane (best access to Carrick-a-Rede).
Take the twisting lane down to Ballintoy, and on to Whitepark Bay and ‘Ireland’s smallest church’ (12ft x 6.5ft) at Portbraddan.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills, famous whiskey village.
Dunluce Castle is a rewarding visit, romantic at sunset. Overnight around the resorts of Portrush and Portstewart or Coleraine, pleasant university town.

» Day 3 Coleraine toLondonderry [34 miles]

Another low-mileage day. Enjoy golf on magnificent links courses or feel the sand between your toes on beach walks.
Continue west to Castlerock, past thatched Hezlett House, built without foundations on a bare rock in 1690.
Stop at Downhill to walk up to Mussenden Temple perched on the cliff edge since 1785.
Further west Magilligan strand, 7 miles of golden sand with a national nature reserve and the strange Martello Tower at the point, may prove irresistible. But time presses, so from Downhill take the scenic route over Binevenagh mountain into Limavady for lunch, on through two London companies villages – Ballykelly (built by Fishmongers’ Company) and Eglinton (Grocers’)...
To end the day in the capital of the northwest.

» Day 4 Londonderry To Kesh [57 miles]

Up early to explore historic cathedral quarter and walk along city walls, admiring fine buildings, interesting public art (sculptures, murals). Step in to St Columb’s cathedral chapterhouse and Tower Museum before heading on A5 to Strabane, noted for American connections, and to Sion Mills, model linen village with exotic architecture, where linen yarn is still spun.
Continue on A5 beside the sparkling Strule river through Newtownstewart (17th-century castle, bridge) and past twin towers of 14th-century Gaelic castle. Visit the Ulster-American Folk Park near Omagh then travel via A32 to Irvinestown and on to lively lakes.

» Day 5 Kesh to Enniskillen [45 miles]

Off pronto to Belleek via A47 and Boa Island, stopping to see enigmatic Janus figures at Caldragh.
After touring Belleek Pottery, take A46 along south shore of Lower Lough Erne, stopping at ruined Tully Castle with its delightful formal garden. Detour to Lough Navar Forest viewpoint (entrance opposite Correl Glen) to see entire Fermanagh Lakeland spread out below. If you like stately homes, there are two magnificent ones near Enniskillen – Castle Coole and Florence Court, but you won’t want to miss Devenish and White Island monastic sites, both easily reached by public ferry...

And maybe fit in an underground boat trip at Marble Arch Caves. Overnight around Enniskillen.

» Day 6 Enniskillen to Newcastle [104 miles]

Say goodbye to the lakes and head east through characterful Clogher Valley villages. Soon A4 becomes M1.
Take exit 15 to Armagh and explore on foot (cathedrals, museums, observatory, etc). Complete your Armagh experience with a visit to nearby Navan Fort, capital of prehistoric Ulster.

Now the mountains of the southeast beckon: passing north of the great bulk of myth-wreathed Slieve Gullion, head for Newry city, and along scenic A2 into the Kingdom of Mourne which has its ‘capital’ at the lively fishing port of Kilkeel,
If time allows, a turn on to B27 leads quickly into glorious high Mourne country and Silent Valley reservoirs.
Staying with the A2, after Annalong and Bloody Bridge you reach Newcastle.

» Day 7 Newcastle to Belfast [60 miles]

Decide at breakfast which forest park – Tollymore (amazing garden architecture) or Castlewellan (national arboretum) – to see first.There’s time for both. Then north (A2), past Slidderyford dolmen and Dundrum Castle.
At Clough stay on A2 to Ardglass, known for its one big and 6 small castles, and take B1 to see St Patrick’s Grave at Downpatrick (cathedral, museums, etc). Head for Strangford village, past Struell Wells, Saul and Raholp churches – all strong St Patrick connections – and allow 10 mins to walk up Slieve Patrick to the holy statue before boarding Strangford car ferry (every 30 mins) to Portaferry (aquarium, castle). Take A20 passing Grey Abbey and Mount Stewart, to Newtownards and on to Belfast.