Why Should You See Ireland North?
The north of Ireland has the most hidden gems and the least-visited places. Here you can see wave-pounding coastal views, dramatic cliffs, turquoise-tinged beaches, gorgeous gardens, view-encrusted hikes, and ancient Neolithic ruins. The Ireland North Itinerary includes counties Mayo, Donegal, and Meath in Ireland, as well as Derry and the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.
Author & Photographer: George Mitchell
Our recommendations are not influenced by affiliate links – we do not have any. Our advice is derived from our personal experience and knowledge based on living in Europe for seven years and studying its art, architecture and culture.
All of our recommendations are top-rated by Google Maps Ratings, which is based on everyone, not just tourists. Each place recommended in our custom Ireland North Map is appended with a Google Maps Rating (G0 to G5).
Ireland North Itinerary
Portacloy Beach to Downpatrick Head
Westport to Portacloy Beach & Downpatrick Head 136 km, 2:03 hrs.
Downpatrick Head to Sligo 92 km, 1:25 hrs.
The Safari to Sligo itinerary started at turquoise Portacloy Bay (G4.8). Then we saw the last remaining peat farms as we drove towards Neolithic Ceide (G4.4). We really enjoyed the near-empty, dramatic hikes and spectacular vistas at Céide Fields and Downpatrick Head (G4.9). The best part was how few tourists were here in County Mayo.
Sligo
The Sleeping in Sligo itinerary offers beaches, Neolithic ruins, and coastal views. We started with the wide expanse of Collenamore Beach (G4.8). Carrowmore was a pleasant park with the oldest megalithic (Stone Age) site in Ireland, dating to 5800 years ago – over 1100 years older than the first pyramid in Saqqara, Egypt. We discovered fossil-laced headlands at Streedagh Beach (G4.8). pièce de résistance was the rugged coastline of Mullaghmore Head (G4.8). We finished the day at the burial site of W. B. Yeats at Drumcliff Church (G4.5).
Sligo Abbey to Glencar Waterfall
Sligo to Glencar Waterfall 18 km, 0:22 hrs.
Glencar Waterfall to Gortmaconnell 46 km, 0:41 hrs.
The Travelling to Trim itinerary begins in Sligo. We enjoyed the dramatic architecture of the evocative Sligo Abbey (G4.4). Where did those pointed arches and stone tracery come from? It’s an easy day trip to Glencar Lough Viewpoint (G4.6) and the pleasant Glencar Waterfall (G4.7). Then we drove through pastoral mountains to the Gortmaconnell Walk (G4.7).
Donegal
The Drizzling in Donegal itinerary is a day trip from Donegal. It was a depressingly dreary day. We still appreciated the turquoise water lapping the Silver Strand Beach (G4.9) in Malin Beg. But the very high Slieve League cliffs (G4.9) were a bust due to the rain and the fog. We warmed up with some delicious cappuccino and pastry in Ahoy Cafe (G4.7) in Killybegs. We then explored the stone buildings and Donegal Castle (G4.5). We were delighted by the stone round tower of the Church of the Four Masters (G4.5).
Rambling to Ramelton
Donegal to Maghery Beach 63 km, 1:00 hrs.
Maghery Beach to Glenveagh NP 45 km, 0:43 hrs.
Glenveagh NP to Letterkenny 24 km, 0:23 hrs.
Letterkenny to Ramelton 13 km, 0:13 hrs.
The Rambling to Ramelton itinerary is a drive through Quintessential Ireland with white sheep on green hills and stone walls bordering paddocks. We enjoyed narrow lanes to isolated vistas of forts while contemplating Napoleon at Maghery Beach (G4.7). We visited the neo-Gothic St. Eunan’s Cathedral (G4.7) and enjoyed a meal in Letterkenny. We admired the Rabble Children Statues. Then we drove to our Victorian B&B in non-touristy Ramelton.
Beachcombing in Ramelton
Ramelton to Horn Head 40 km, 0:43 hrs.
Horn Head to Marble Hill Bay 12 km, 0:16 hrs.
Marble Hill Bay to Fanad Head 38 km, 0:42 hrs.
Fanad Head to Ballymastocker 15 km, 0:18 hrs.
Ballymastocker to Ramelton 20 km, 0:20 hrs.
The Beachcombing in Ramelton itinerary is a day trip from Ramelton to coastal cliffs, arches and beaches. In spite of the cloudy weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the two dramatic hikes and spectacular vistas at Horn Head (G4.8). Then we drove to the golden sand Marble Hill Bay Beach (G4.8). We feasted on delicious ice cream and cappuccinos at The Shack Cafe (G4.7).
We drove past melancholic Doe Castle (G4.6) to Fanad Head (G4.7). But we had saved the best for last. After the tiny town of Portsalon, we saw one of the nicest beaches of golden brown sand, the beautiful Ballymastocker Beach (G4.9). We ended the day by touring the Georgian architecture and the three-arch stone bridge (G4.5) of Ramelton.
Ambling along the Antrim Coast
Ramelton to Benone Beach 87 km, 1:21 hrs.
Benone Beach to Downhill Demesne 6 km, 0:07 hrs.
Downhill Demesne to White Rocks 26 km, 0:27 hrs.
White Rocks to Dunluce Castle 3 km, 0:05 hrs.
Dunluce Castle to Dunseverick 11 km, 0:14 hrs.
Dunseverick to Ramelton 114 km, 1:46 hrs.
Possible Bases: Ramelton, Letterkenny, Derry, Bushmills or Ballintoy
The Ambling along the Antrim Coast itinerary was one of the best days of our trip. This route offers lots of sandy beaches like Benone Beach (G4.8), but our favourite is White Rocks (G4.8). We paused at the gardens at Downhill Demesne (G4.7).
Once again, we had saved the best two things for last. First, we loved the mainly ruined but photogenic Dunluce Castle (G4.6). Second, we enjoyed our favourite hike along the ever-changing Giant’s Causeway Trail (G4.7) starting from the non-touristy side at Dunseverick Castle (G4.4).
Derry, Northern Ireland
Ramelton to Derry 45 km, 0:43 hrs.
Possible Bases: Ramelton, Letterkenny or Derry
The Doubling Down in Derry itinerary is a day trip to the town formerly known as Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Derry is a large city with a compact tourist area surrounded by the only walled city in Ireland and the last one to be built in Europe. We began our walk on top of the walls (G4.7) at Bishops Gate (G4.8). We visited the neo-Gothic St Columb’s Cathedral (G4.6) and St. Augustine’s Church (G4.8).
We learned that Austins was the world’s oldest department store (established in 1830). We were amazed by the restored Guildhall (G4.8), which was bombed multiple times by the IRA. Finally, we were amazed at the artistic quality of the Bogside Murals (G5.0), a poignant reminder of The Troubles.
Trim
Ramelton to Trim 222 km, 3:10 hrs.
Trim is a quiet town that has one of the best Norman castles in Ireland, Trim Castle (G4.7). Also worth viewing are the set of row houses in muted pastel colours and old pubs in brilliant colours on Castle Street. Trim is also a good base for the free Bective Abbey (G4.7) ruins, the Neolithic sacred burial on the Hill of Tara (G4.5) and Newgrange (G4.7), as well as Dublin Airport, 45 minutes away.
Neolithic Newgrange, Brú na Bóinne
Trim to Newgrange 34 km, 0:38 hrs.
Neolithic Newgrange (G4.7) is a guided walk through a dark passage into the centre of an amazing burial mound. It is remarkable when one considers that it was built 500 years before the Great Pyramids!
Detailed Itinerary Guides
Here are our detailed day-by-day itineraries.
Final Comments on this Itinerary
This is an action-packed itinerary. Most newbie tourists head to sites they have heard about, or what I call name recognition. The places we recommend are all highly rated by local people, as shown by the high Google Map Ratings. Remember, the most important “destination” is meeting the people.
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Itinerary Map & Resources
We spent 9 days on the above 10 posts. You will need more time to see the remaining Antrim Coast, Dark Hedges, Carrickfergus Castle, and Belfast. You may want a couple of days before and after this itinerary for Dublin and/or Trim. Trim is an excellent base to use to reach Dublin Airport.
If you have more than a week, then combine Ireland North with all or parts of the Ireland East itinerary below.
Google Maps Ratings
Google Maps provides a rating from 0 to 5 for all sights, hotels and restaurants (but not cities). All of our recommendations are appended with the rating (prefixed with a G) from Google Maps. As it is based on feedback from tourists and locals, it is much more reliable than travel booking websites. We consider a score of 4 to 4.39 to be Very Good; 4.4 to 5 to be Excellent.
Ireland FAQ
The Ireland FAQ post answers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) like:
- Where should I go in Ireland?
- What is the best season for travel?
- What is the best clothing?
- Where should I go? What are the must-sees?
- How much time do I need for Ireland?
- Can I see everything in a week?
- How safe is Ireland?
- How much cash should you take to Ireland?
- Should I pay in Euros or my own currency?
- What apps are useful for travel?
- Should I rent a car? Take a Taxi?
Terra Encounters 
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