Day ?
Boyne Valley/Newgrange
Day 12
Donegal to Sligo
Today: Donegal • Sligo • Benbulben • Sligo Town
Driving: approximately 2–2½ hours, plus stops
Morning
Have breakfast and say goodbye to Donegal before heading south toward County Sligo.
I wouldn't be in a hurry. This is a relatively short driving day, so there's time for a final Donegal stop if there's something we missed or couldn't do because of the weather.
Afternoon
Once you reach County Sligo, head toward Benbulben.
I don't necessarily need a long hike here. I'd rather explore the area, find some good viewpoints and have time left to enjoy Sligo itself.
Depending on timing, Glencar Waterfall would be an easy addition before heading into town.
Check into the hotel and leave the car there for the evening.
Evening
Spend your one night in Sligo Town.
Find somewhere good for dinner and then a pub with traditional music. Since we're only here for one night, I'm definitely making the most of it.
Overnight: Sligo, County Sligo
🍴 WHAT TO EAT
🍷 WHERE TO EAT
🛍️ WHAT TO BUY
❤️ DON'T MISS THIS
📝 GOOD TO KNOW
🧳 If it were my trip:
DAY 13
One Last Road Trip
Today: Sligo • Northern Ireland • County Antrim
Driving: approximately 3½ hours, plus stops
Morning
Have breakfast in Sligo and start making your way north toward County Antrim.
This is our last real road-trip day, and I don't want to fill it with stops just because we're passing them. We've covered a lot of ground over the past two weeks, so I'd choose one place along the way that sounds interesting and leave the rest of the day fairly flexible.
Afternoon
Continue into Northern Ireland and on to County Antrim.
Check into the hotel and get settled. By this point, I'm ready to park the car and enjoy the last afternoon without another list of things we need to see.
Evening
Find somewhere good for our last dinner in Ireland, then find a cozy pub for one final pint.
If there's music and a good crowd, even better. There isn't anywhere else we need to be tonight.
Overnight: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
🍴 WHAT TO EAT
🍷 WHERE TO EAT
🛍️ WHAT TO BUY
❤️ DON'T MISS THIS
Make the last night part of the trip instead of treating it like an airport night. I'd rather stay somewhere with a good pub and a little atmosphere than end two weeks in Ireland at a generic airport hotel.
📝 GOOD TO KNOW
Tomorrow's flight is from Belfast, so I'd choose tonight's hotel partly based on which Belfast airport you're using and your departure time.
If it were my trip: I'd keep today simple. One worthwhile stop on the drive is plenty. I'd rather arrive in Antrim with time for a relaxed final evening than squeeze another full sightseeing day into the trip.
DAY 14
Time to Head Home
Today: County Antrim • Belfast Airport • Return Car • Fly Home
Have breakfast, check out and head to the airport.
Return the rental car, check in for the flight and head home.
I'm not planning any sightseeing today. After almost two weeks of moving around Northern Ireland and the northern part of the Republic, I'd rather leave plenty of time for returning the car and getting through the airport without watching the clock.
🍴 WHAT TO EAT
🍷 WHERE TO EAT
🛍️ WHAT TO BUY
❤️ DON'T MISS THIS
📝 GOOD TO KNOW
🧳 If it were my trip: