Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

12  INTRODUCING IRELAND

Two Days in Dublin End the day with a trip to the
outstanding Titanic Quarter
(p283). Visit the interactive
Ireland’s vibrant capital is Titanic Belfast attraction to learn
fairly small, but jam-packed about the construction and
with things to see and do. voyage of the ill-fated ship.
• Arriving Dublin Airport is Day 2: Armagh and
12 km (7 miles) north of the Londonderry
city. The express coach, From Belfast, travel to Armagh
or a taxi, takes around (p278), worth visiting for the
30 minutes to get to the city. planetarium set in picturesque
The grand façade of Trinity College’s School gardens with good views
of Law, Dublin over the city, and for the two
Day 1 St Patrick’s Cathedrals facing
Devote an hour to the magnif- Three Days in each other across the city.
icent National Museum – Northern Ireland The mall in the centre of the
Archaeology (pp70–71). old town makes for a fine
Afterwards, visit Trinity College • Arriving Arrive and depart stroll. Continue on through
(pp66–7) to see the breathtaking from Belfast International Fermanagh to the walled city of
Book of Kells Exhibition, and or Belfast City Airport. Londonderry (pp262–3). Visit the
take a break in the college’s • Transport A car is essential Tower Museum for an unbiased
lovely grounds. From here, it’s a for the Antrim Coast and account of the city’s history
short walk to Temple Bar (p82), the Ards Peninsula. during the Troubles. Another
a good place to stop off for exhibit, An Armada Shipwreck,
lunch. Venture a little way out • Booking ahead In the focuses on the largest ship of
of the centre to visit the height of the summer the Spanish Armada.
Guinness Storehouse (p102) pre-booking a hire car is
to find out all there is to know advisable. Pre-book a black
about the nation’s famous brew. cab tour of the Belfast murals.
Take a trip to the National
Museum of Ireland –
Decorative Arts & History Day 1: The Ards Peninsula
(p105) where the rich history of Start early and head east out of
Ireland is told through its crafts. Belfast to explore a less-visited
In the evening see a play at the area, the Ards Peninsula (p284),

wonderful Gate Theatre (p94). for its wonderful sights and
beautiful scenery. Follow the
Day 2 coast road through Bangor
Begin your day with a visit to and the pretty seaside town
architecturally eclectic Christ of Donaghadee to Millisle,
Church Cathedral (pp84–5). where the fully functional
Just across the road is Dublinia Ballycopeland Windmill makes
and the Viking World (p83), an interesting place to pause.
where the history of Viking Head westwards towards Titanica, a sculpture by Rowan Gillespie, in
Dublin is on display. Take the Strangford Lough and stop at front of Titanic Belfast
excellent tour of Dublin Castle Mount Stewart House (pp286–7)
(pp80–81) and visit the Chester with its lovely gardens and Day 3: The Causeway Coast
Beatty Library (p81) to see the excellent guided tours of the From Londonderry, the day’s
beautiful historic manuscripts. house. From here, follow the driving brings you to some of
Pick up a picnic lunch and shores of the Lough southwards the finest unspoiled coastal
stroll down Grafton Street pausing to look at the ruins of scenery in the British Isles. The
to the pretty, ancient park of Grey Abbey. Take the ferry from journey begins on the North
St Stephen’s Green (pp64–5). Portaferry and continue on to Antrim Coastline (p265). Head
Walk to Fitzwilliam Square Downpatrick (p285) where the along the shores of Lough Foyle
(p72) and stop off at no. 29 for a County Museum and Down to Benone Strand (p264) to
fascinating insight into middle- Cathedral are both well worth enjoy the fine, golden sandy
class Georgian life. Visit the a visit. From here, head back to beach. Portrush (p264) is the
National Gallery of Ireland Belfast (pp280–83) where you next stopping point, a busy but
(p74–5) to see the small but can admire the unspoiled pretty seaside town. Moving on,
significant collection of Irish Victoriana of the Crown Liquor admire the ruins of Dunluce
and international art, and in the Saloon. A drive around west Castle (p265) before stopping
evening, enjoy the craic in one Belfast reveals the city’s dark off at the Old Bushmills
of the south side’s lively pubs. history, told in its vivid murals. Distillery (p270) for a tour and
For practical information on travelling around Ireland, see pp365–73

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm