FREEONTOUR

Day

Basingstoke, UK

Friday 13th May and finally its 12 noon and the start of our trip around Ireland. Been planning our trip for month’, the places to see, the things to take in and highlights not to miss. Advice taken from all over, including YouTube and previous trips blogged on various platforms.

51° 15' 59.5" N 1° 5' 32.6" W

51.2665400 -1.0923964

☍ 358,6 km (3 hrs. 31 min.)

Birkenhead, UK

22:00 Stena line ferry to Belfast
Took nearly 6 hours to get to Birkenhead from Basingstoke. Traffic around Birmingham was awful as a Friday and rush hour, comfort breaks and a fuel also took their tolls on the journey time. Parked at the port ready for check in and boarding. Looked a full boat

53° 23' 17.2" N 3° 1' 47.7" W

53.3881164 -3.0299176

☍ 479,7 km (6 hrs. 39 min.)

Day

Belfast, UK

Alarm went off at 5am, bleary eyed we looked out the large round window to see the port of Belfast starting to appear in our view. We had already decided to skip breakfast on the ship and take it in the van once we had disembarked and parked up. Titanic experience today so we headed for the car park across the road which allows Motorhomes.
The tour is very informative and well worth the entrance fee. Headsets are provided and talks you through the history of the dockyard and the build of the liner. You also get the entrance to the SS Nomadic, a tender to the Titanic which is still as it was back in 1912.

54° 35' 50.2" N 5° 55' 48.4" W

54.5972850 -5.9301200

☍ 82,2 km ( 55 min.)

The Dark Hedges, Bregagh Road, Stranocum, Ballymoney, UK

A busy morning turned and onto the afternoon, A visit to the Dark Hedges Road from a Game of Thrones. Large car park only 10 minute walk from the road, the walk is flat but the path is not paved so a bit uneven in places. Worth the detour on our drive north to the coast.

Bregagh Rd, Stranocum, Ballymoney BT53 8PX, UK

55° 8' 4.9" N 6° 22' 51" W

55.1346929 -6.3808220

☍ 15,5 km ( 16 min.)

Causeway Coast Holiday Park

Booked in for one night, grass pitch and not very level. Staff were very friendly and welcoming, facilities could do with updating but were clean.

21 Clare Road,, BT54 6DB, Ballycastle, United Kingdom

55° 12' 32.8" N 6° 14' 50.6" W

55.2091200 -6.2474000

☍ 21,7 km ( 23 min.)

Day

Giants Causeway, Bushmills, UK

We leave the campsite and travel the 15 or so miles to the Causeway, an easy drive that only took about 30 minutes. We. Had planned on visiting Ballintoy Harbour, but a sign said No Motorhomes so we decided against it. If it was a weekday i would have attempted in but you never know with the weekends. Next time. For sure. Causeway car park was busy but we had booked tickets so straight in for us. I would recommend booking to avoid being turned away if busy. We parked right on the end of a row so we didn’t stick out to far.
Inside the entrance there is an interactive area with films and finds etc.. They explain the myths around the two giants fighting but i wont give it away. Good for both adults and children with a variety of things to do. We decide to walk down and get the shuttle bus back up, path is a little step in places but tarmac so sure under foot. The place is busy as you would expect but enough space not to feel cramped or rushed as you walk around. Good footwear essential on the stones, they are a little uneven as you would imagine.

Giants Causeway, Bushmills BT57 8SZ, UK

55° 13' 56" N 6° 31' 45" W

55.2322222 -6.5291667

☍ 55,6 km ( 53 min.)

The Happy Landing, Main Street, Eglinton, Londonderry, UK

Pub stopover for the night. Quiet car park with easy access. Great food and very friendly staff. Would recommend if passing through.

4 Main Street, Eglinton, Londonderry BT47 3PQ, UK

55° 1' 36.9" N 7° 10' 47.9" W

55.0269190 -7.1799780

☍ 46,3 km ( 43 min.)

Day

Inishowen Head, Ireland

We leave the pub after a peaceful sleep, we start the Wild Atlantic Way for real this morning. Travel to the start at Muff and then onto Inishowen Head for a picture of one of the viewpoint signs. Very blustery and not surprised when were the only ones there, a walk on the beach and time for us to have a walk. Joined 30 mins later by two men who have arrived for a cold swim, rather them than me that water was bloody freezing. Had a chat for a while and explained our route, they seemed envious. We watched them walk into the icy water and we headed for the van and a hot drink. Now onto Londonderry for a walk around the city.

55° 13' 60" N 6° 55' 0" W

55.2333333 -6.9166667

☍ 41,0 km ( 40 min.)

Londonderry, UK

Drove into the city and parked at Foyle Valley Railway carpark, easy access and plenty of room. we parked across two spaces so we did the right thing by purchasing two tickets. Do not want a parking fine in a city you don't know. The carpark really is only a ten minute walk into the centre from the carpark. We pass the "Hands Across the Divide" statue and onto the old City Walls. Next a pic of the Derry Girls mural, loved the show so had to visit. A bit of retail therapy in the shops and then back to the van walking over The Peace Bridge. Derry had a great feel to it and we will certainly be back. 1 hour drive and onto our campsite for the night.

Derry, Londonderry, UK

54° 59' 47.8" N 7° 18' 30.9" W

54.9966124 -7.3085748

☍ 59,9 km ( 55 min.)

Wild Atlantic Camp, Main Street, Creeslough, County Donegal, Ireland

Main St, Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland

55° 7' 11.4" N 7° 54' 16.9" W

55.1198403 -7.9047045

Day

Route description for May 2022 Wild Atlantic Way