Northwestern Ireland in November

We will be in Ireland for two weeks at the end of November. We have not really made any plans, but we have thought about going to Counties Sligo, Donegal, and Antrim. I know it will be winter, so does it make sense to visit this part of the country during that time? Any suggestions on must sees in those areas during this time? An alternative would be to see mayo, galway and maybe cork. Many thanks.

It always makes sense to visit Ireland ;-) And if you don't mind the rain you will enjoy your Tour!
Donegal and Sligo are absolutely beautiful. If you go from Donegal Town direction west along the coast you come to places that are even more beautiful then the 'oh-so-famous' Cliffs of Moher.
If you go through Co. Clare I would advice to see the Cliffs of Moher - as it is a Must-See anyway (although 8 Euro just for Parking). If you go further south go to the Loop head - the long narrow Peninsula of Clare in the South-West. THis is even more beautiful and if you go in the low season there will be only you and the sea! Absolutetly terrific!!!

And if you go to Cork (where I live) go and see Kinsale and Cobh (where the Titanic last saw Land).

Hope that helps. If you have any questions just ask ;-)

Cheers,
Nic

November is a particularly hard month to call in Ireland weather-wise. If very lucky you can get some nice late autumn type days - I can remember a few years back meeting English visitors who were talking in astonishment at having been able to sunbathe and swim in a sheltered beach in Cork in mid November. But likewise, it can be wet, stormy, cold and miserable. If early winter storms set in on the west coast they can last for days or even weeks on end. Another thing to remember is that the evenings are very short in November. By 5pm it will be dark enough that you can't sight-see. If stuck in a dull little rural town that will lead to very tedious evenings (you'll find out why Irish people drink so much).

Sligo and Donegal are lovely but I wouldn't recommend them for November. I'd suggest heading south of Galway, or the south-west. There are two main reasons for this:

1. Due to the gulf stream effect the weather is usually distinctly better that time of year in the south-west. It will at least be a little milder, but there is also a better chance of avoiding the worst of winter rain and wind. If lucky, you will find really very pleasant weather. Its possible in Sligo and Donegal too, but less likely.

2. The towns and villages are generally more interesting with more all-year round attractions. For all the beauty of Sligo and Donegal, the towns and villages are pretty dull places, especially in winter. There will be more accomodation options and restaurants open, and more things to do if there is really awful weather in places like Kerry, Clare, Cork and Galway. Towns like Dingle, Kinsale, Galway etc., are buzzing places all year round, there will always be fun things to do in an evening.

I would not be put off. Yes the weather can be variable but it there is much to see and do. For wet weather options there are always the larger towns such as Sligo, Enniskillen, Derry, Omagh etc.

Favourite areas include Slieve League (possibly better than Moher), Fermanagh Lakes, Bluestack Mountains, Aranmore Island (ferry from Burtonport and not to be confused with the Aran Islands), Tory Island (possibilty of being stranded there in November so be flexible), Giants Causeway coast through to Whitepark Bay (linear walk using Ulsterbus service for the return route), Yeats Country in Sligo / Leitrim.

The locals do not go into hibernation during the winter so you will meet people.

Happy travelling!

R

OH and another tip. IN Co. Sligo is a town on the sea (near the boarder to Northern Ireland) - you have to take a seaweedbath!!!! It is absolutely brilliant. I think you can actually get it in every county somewhere. Look out for it ;-) Absolutely perfekt for a rainy day!! And you feel relaxed afterwards!

Cheers,
Nic

It makes sense to go to sligo and donegal,but antrim is about a 3hour drive from donegal,
sligo and donegal are rite beside eachother...
if u drive to donegal and then to killybegs,then on to glencomilcil it is unreall view downs there..its a long way from anything but the views are unreal.other places in donegal that are nice would be up around malin as well,but that is a two hour drive from donegal town,long way away...
in sligo,if u take the road to eniskillan from sligo,there is a lake on that road and its class,also there is a waterfall about 10mins from sligo on that road.i think it is called glencare waterfall.its deadly and well worth seeing and only ten mins from sligo town..

but mark my words, glencolmcille is the way to go..such a cool looking place,kilcare also..a must see

Thanks for all the information. I think we might keep the plans flexible so in the event that the weather is really crappy in the north we can always go somewhere else. I'd really like to see Donegal, but not at the expense of 2 weeks of gale force winds and pelting rain.

its very mild here at the minute

It's almost impossible to say what the weather will be like here in any month of the year! We had a summer of rain, an abnormally mild Autumn and now the rain has hit us hard in November! Even if it's wild/wet/windy in the NW, the chances are it will be down the west coast as well, it's inevitable, with storms coming in off the Atlantic! :(

Anyhows, i personally think that even when the weather is atrocious in Sligo/Donegal, that's when it's at it's most beautiful. It's such beautifully rugid wild landscape and there's nothing as refreshing as taking a walk along any of Sligo's beautiful beaches in the wind!! :) I hope you enjoy your trip! Donegal is beautiful as well. Lots of beaches, mountains and breath-taking drives!