Going South of the Border
Explore the exquisite emerald isle
20 years ago, a road trip that crossed the border, travelling from the capital of Northern Ireland to the capital of the Republic of Ireland would have been virtually unheard of. Now however, both cities are metropolitan and boast so much in the way of tourist facilitation.
Okay, so this route is veering slightly beyond the realms of Britain, but once you’ve travelled across onto the island of Ireland, it would be rude not too experience everything there is on offer. Also, if there is anything Ireland is good at, it’s food and drink.
Belfast to Dublin
- 7 days
- 729 miles
- £178.05 avg. fuel cost
Top three road trip gems...
Location: Belfast BT1 1RY
Cathederal Quarter: Based in the shadows of the stunning St Anne’s Cathederal on the periphery of Belfast city centre the Cathederal Quarter is awash with bars and restaurants, both traditional and contemporary.
Location: Princes St, Centre, Cork, Ireland
Described by Rick Stein as the best covered market in both the UK and Ireland, the English Market in the heart of Cork is a hub of exciting food and drink.
Location: 16-18 Parliament St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 VR94, Ireland
A visit to Ireland would not be complete without a pint of the black stuff in the infamous Temple Bar. This is your time to toast — “To Arthur!”.
Timings
All in all this monster of a trip will take you the best part of a week — obviously you could reduce it to five days if you wanted to avoid the likes of Dingle Bay in south-west corner of the island. But who wants to pass up the opportunity of dolphin spotting?
Unusual
Few road trips in the world would be enhanced by poor weather but that’s one thing you can rejoice in here as you navigate along the Wild Atlantic Way, progressing south from Sligo towards Cork — thanks to the fact the waves bouncing over the sea wall makes for great viewing.
Belfast Murals
Since the early 1970s there have been more than 2,000 murals painted on the gable walls of Northern Ireland. It has been suggested if walls could speak, these iconic pieces of history would tell the most illustrated story there ever was. Perhaps the most widely recognised murals are the ones dedicated to the Republican hunger striker Bobby Sands in the Falls area of the city, and the ‘Prepared for Peace, Ready for War’ mural in the Mount Vernon area of the city.
These paintings are not only distinguished aspects of Northern Irish history, they also exist as remarkable pieces of artwork. After visiting the murals, take advantage of a quiet pint of Harp in the Cathedral Quarter where you will be able to spot some ‘modern’ murals, established to celebrate the achievements of the nation.
Image credit: Paul J Martin / Shutterstock.com
Guinness Factory
No visit to Ireland is complete without a visit to the St James’ Gate Brewery, home of the black stuff. For those not particularly partial to a pint of the ‘ruby red’ stout, this is an opportunity to taste the beverage where it was intended to be drunk — notoriously, ‘Guinness doesn’t travel’. Discover the extensive brewing process in the creation, the history of the man known worldwide as Arthur Guinness, and stand inside a giant pint of Guinness capable of holding 14.3 million pints!.
One of Dublin’s most cosmopolitan restaurants, Urban Brewing & Stack A Restaurant, is located in the happening docklands area close to the 3Arena. Underground, in the 200-year old vault, admire the centenary brick and stone walls as you indulge in impressive fine dining alternatives.
Image credit: abd / Shutterstock.com
Blarney Stone
When in Cork, do as the Corkonians do and kiss the Blarney Stone. Approximately five miles from the city centre you will find this popular tourist attraction which legend suggests, once kissed, delivers the ability of the gift of eloquence — or, more popularly, the gift of the gab.