1

I would suggest that it very much is...Belfast is a great city and very different from the South...couple of days there would be well-spent...also, Derry is another fine city...and great scenery all down the east coast, from Fair Head in Co Antrim all the way to Dundalk, back in Co Louth...

2

You might do well to keep up with present media reports re: Belfast. There is some nasty unrest in parts of the city going on right now. Something to do with a flag!

3

There is some stupidity in a very small part of central Belfast at the moment and will die down once the US press go back home with H.C.

Yes Belfast is on my must go and see list for next year. With 3 weeks on the island I would put Belfast and the North at the front of the Itinerary, You can get the bus up from the Airport and have a couple of days there without a car, take a trip up to the Antrim coast and Causeway there is a good tour http://www.belfastphototours.co.uk/ the Titanic Exhibition and a Black cab tour are on my list.

Drop back to Dublin to start the South trip, I would add the other night to Kilkenny or slip Waterford into the Itinerary you posted http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=20490406#20490406 On the subject of that itinerary I would move the 2 nights in Doolin to Ennis http://www.visitennis.com/ which is a far better base for Clare and has a lot more than 2 bars and 1 restaurant. Nice place to visit for an hour and we do often but I wouldn't spend even one night there, I am not sure on the 2 nights Kenmare one night Killarney (which would be a far better winter option) they are only 1/2 hour apart, is it really worth upping and moving just for the sake of it?

4

You might do well to keep up with present media reports re: Belfast. There is some nasty unrest in parts of the city going on right now. Something to do with a flag!

Yes, just a little local difficulty...nothing for a visitor to worry about...just go there and enjoy yourself...

5

Belfast is a good city with some attractions. I don't think recent incidents have been influenced by Hillary's visit and it would be worthwhile keeping up with developments IMO. Some of the activity has been in the area of the Christmas market so some problems are obviously occurring in tourist areas.

I'm not suggesting Belfast should be avoided but just that it would be wise to keep yourself appraised of developments. Derry is also a great city worth visiting.

6

There have been a few difficulties recently with in some inner city areas. However this is isolated to certain areas and should not put you off visiting the city.

Belfast has a lot to offer and is a very welcoming place. I hope you have a good time if you choose to visit!

7

More nasty trouble last night!

8

The publication of the latest census results will no doubt keep participants excited and agitating for another day or two...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1212/1224327773537.html

9

hahah perfect I couldn't find any accommodation in Kenmare :)