Yes, I do know how different Northern Ireland and Ireland are. I'm well traveled. I just spent some time this week learning a little bit about both and thought I would mention some gems of ideas for when you might visit the area. Both are great places to road trip, so here's some little gems.
1. Kilfenora Cathedral and the Crosses, Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland. Kilfenora is along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The tiny town is home to the Kilfenora Cathedral, finished in 1058 and is part ruins, part UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for it's crosses. In particular, the seven Celtic Crosses that date back as far as to the ninth century.
I mention this one because it's along such a great road trip route. To be honest, it's right on a map you can either get on your phone or in a tourist center along the way, but I love Celtic stuff, and this is a phenomenal site if you're interested in ancient Celts.
https://kilfenoraclare.com/kilfenora-cathedral-and-crosses/
https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/kilfenora-cathedral-and-high-crosses/
https://clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/kilfenora_stone_crosses/doorty_cross.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zUVU-K2nEY
2. The Titanic Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland. If you've never heard of the Titanic, I can't help you. However, it was built in Belfast. It sailed from Southampton, England, but it's origin is in this fascinating, and sometimes controversial city.
Anything you ever wanted to know about the defunct luxury ship you can find out in this museum. They have displays, artifacts, reproductions, interactive exhibits, and anything you can imagine about the now sunken ship. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, so you will want to reserve a spot ahead of time for your timed entry. Adults can enter for around 25 pounds and children and seniors for less. There are other optional tour items that are extra. The hours run most days from at least 9 to 6, but check the schedule online, because they have special days that they aren't open and the hours can vary off and on.
https://www.titanicbelfast.com/
https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/titanic-belfast/
https://www.irishtourism.com/the-titanic-museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2WLn40en4M
3. Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Most people I know have heard of this spot. It's a fantastic stop along the wild west coast on any number of fabulous road trips in Northern Ireland.
Where do I start? This UNESCO World Heritage site covers a park of roughly 70 Hectares along the coast. About 600 million years ago there was a volcanic eruption, and when all was said and done the area was covered with around 40,000 polygonal basalt rocks. It's really that simple. However, it is one of the coolest volcanic views you'll ever see, and while there are a couple of other places in the world you can see stones like this; this is the one to see while in Northern Ireland.
The Park is open dawn to dusk most days and there is an entrance fee of 14 to 15 pounds, depending on when you visit. Children and seniors are less. There's a lovely visitor's center on site as well and plenty of parking for your road trip car.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369/
https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/giants-causeway/
https://www.viator.com/Belfast-attractions/Giants-Causeway/d738-a680
4. Mussenden Temple, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. This great spot is another wild one along the northwest coast of Northern Ireland, south from Giant's Causeway. The temple is the round building that sits on the cliff. The temple is not open to the public, so this is a stop along a road trip.
The temple was built in 1785 and is part of the estate of the Earl Frederick Augustus Hervey. There are some other ruins to look at on the property, and oh my, the view. The temple sits on top of 120 foot high cliffs overlooking the sea. It's a great view and is one of the more photographed sites in Northern Ireland.
https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne-p675701
https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/mussenden-temple/
https://trenchfarm.com/attraction/mussenden-temple/
https://www.causewaycoast.guide/locations/mussenden-temple
5. Take a Speed Boat Tour along the North Coast, Northern Ireland or the coast of Ireland. It may not resonate with those who haven't spent time in the north close to the Atlantic, but it's wild up there. More and more Speed Boat Tours have become popular in these areas. It's a wild ride with some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see.
Northern Island and Ireland have joined the parade of boat tours over the years and you should check out the option of a speed boat tour. There are several companies to choose from, and different ports of call to leave from, visit and so on. If you decide to take a road trip along the coasts of these countries, you should really think about a speed boat tour along the way.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186469-Activities-c61-t190-Northern_Ireland.html
https://www.viator.com/Ireland-tours/Jet-Boats-and-Speed-Boats/d56-g17-c107
https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/strangford-lough-boat-tours-p762421
There you have it. If you choose to take a road trip along the coast, into the wilds of Ireland, or Northern Ireland, these are some ideas of things to do. Both countries are known for their wild side, and the views off the coasts are stunning and might just leave you speechless. Be aware, they are two separate countries; one is not a region of the other and they are separated by a body of water. If you love the outdoors, road trips might be for you and there's no better place to take one than in Ireland or Northern Ireland. So, if you're feeling it, rent a car, pack your bags and enjoy!
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