Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisP911
Jims5543 sounds like you guys had a great time, I just cant wait. I remember my father told me his Grandfather would just call it Belfast. We will be Traveling all through Ulster.
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If you like Whiskey make sure you head to Bushmills which is not very far from the Giants Causeway where Led Zeppelin shot the House of the Holy album cover.
Take a tour of the distillery, there are samples at the end, then you have an opportunity to buy their 12 y/o bottles which are only for sale there at the gift shop / tasting room. You cannot get a 12 y/o bottle anywhere else in the world except there.
Makes for a cool gift.
Also, my favorite City in the North outside Belfast was Londonderry, I want to go back and spend a few days there. It is the only city in all of Europe that still has its walls around it completely in tact. The walls were built in the early 1600's.
I did a LOT of reading before I went and while you will see evidence of the troubles in Belfast, it is really in your face in Derry. I felt it was the most raw and genuine city I had been in. Dublin is disneyland for American drunks, I did not see a Leprechaun my entire visit until I wound up in Dublin the night before I flew back out.
Everyone I met was really nice, we had some really great conversations with some locals, one waitress in Dublin gave us a list of places the locals frequent so we could get away from the tourist traps which we hate.
I also met a really cool guy at the Mussenden Temple he grew up in the area, he was ex IRA. We sat with him at a picnic table for about an hour while he told us story after story.
He also told us to take the Bishops Pass into Derry and wander away from the coast, it was a 1 lane road with 2 way traffic (lots of cooperation) up and over a "mountain" that was very scenic.
Also, we went in June it stays light out there until almost midnight then is only dark until about 2-3 am then is light again.
Bring some nicer clothing to change into for dinner, you can get away with Tshirt and jeans in most places nicer places it appeared button up shirt and slacks were the norm.
One last thing, Many hotels do not have AC and it gets damp there so keep that in mind as well.
I can go on and on, I loved my time there, I am excited for you, if you have any questions please ask, not sure where you are flying into and I am sure you already know the local currency is Sterling Pounds while the Republic is on Euro's