The final day of our road trip had come around much too quickly, a sure sign that we’d been enjoying every minute. Going down for breakfast at Belmore Court & Motel was one of the best as we started with cereals, fresh fruit, cheese, pastries and yoghurt.
If this wasn’t enough we then moved onto a full Irish accompanied with soda bread, black and white puddings, toast and chunky orange marmalade. Being set up for the day, it was just as well that there was little time in our plans for a lunch stop.
After packing up the car for the final time, we were soon on our way to the Lough Navar Forest Drive 20 minutes from Enniskillen and located in the Marble Arch Caves geo-park. The 7 mile (10km) scenic drive is clearly signposted and easy to drive along with its narrow section being one way traffic.
We followed the drive through the largest coniferous forest in Northern Ireland which rises to the top of the Magho cliffs. These cliffs are a 5.5 mile long escarpment dominating the southern shore of the lough and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Free parking is available at the Magho viewpoint where we experienced spectacular views over lower Lough Erne, its many small islands and across to Donegal Bay and the Sperrin Mountains.
The viewpoint there has an information board indicating what could be seen in the distance, picnic tables and is the starting point for several walking trails.
Leaving there, we headed back towards Enniskillen along the main A4 road so that we could visit Castle Coole, a magnificent 18th century mansion set in landscaped grounds. The property is owned by the National Trust who run 45 minute guided tours of the house (standard adult admission £5) or free for National Trust members.
We approached the mansion along a magnificent tree lined avenue just in time for the first tour of the day at 11.00 a.m. Our tour started in the grand entrance hall where our informative guide explained that this neo-classical country house had been built by the first Earl of Belmore in the 1790’s. We had been staying at the nearby Belmore Court but didn’t realise the significance of the name until the start of our tour.
We learnt that no expense was spared on the house which was built to impress and designed to outdo the home of his brother-in-law, the Earl of Enniskillen at nearby Florence Court (now also a National Trust property but closed at the time of our visit). Our tour took us into numerous rooms over two floors, where we marvelled at the lavish interiors and viewed the state bedroom created for an expected Royal visit of King George IV which sadly never materialised.
Photography is not permitted indoors so I am unable to illustrate the opulent rooms but Castle Coole is absolutely beautiful and I recommend fitting in a tour if you are visiting the Fermanagh Lakelands.
Our Irish adventure was almost at its end but on our way back to the City of Derry Airport we passed through Derry catching glimpses of this wonderful city that we had fallen in love with during the early part of our trip.
After stopping briefly to refuel our hire car we returned it to Hertz at the airport, seeing the same two friendly and helpful employees we had collected it from the week before. After our first two days in Derry when we didn’t need a car, we had travelled 536 miles visiting many wonderful places and viewing some unforgettable sights on our journey.
Checking in and making our way through security at Derry Airport was a dream and within a few minutes we were sitting down in the airside Fed and Watered cafe with large cups of frothy cappuccinos. Returning to London Stansted with Loganair was a joy as we were very well looked after with complimentary light refreshments served during the 85 minute flight.
It had been an epic trip starting in Derry before taking in the natural beauty of the Causeway Coast and Wild Atlantic Way, returning home with the most wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to everyone for taking such an interest in this series of posts and following our Irish travels. Hopefully, I might now have inspired some of you to visit these places for yourselves.
During our road trip we were guests of Tourism Ireland and their regional partners and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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Exploring Derry, Northern Ireland
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Sounds good
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It was a lovely final day of our road trip thank you.
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Yes, happy for you.
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A very enjoyable tour, Marion. Full of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
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Thank you Shane, the Navar scenic drive was beautiful and we timed our visit well yo Castle Coole just before a tour was due to start.
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Such a great drive through the forest and amazing views over the lake. This inspires me to return back to Ireland and explore this area. Looks like you are so enjoying this trip. Merry Christmas and let’s have a best 2022 New Year. Anita
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The forest drive was beautiful and it was a wonderful way to end our Irish road trip. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and a happy Christmas to you as well.
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That forest looks amazing. I’m so glad you had a great trip – and what better way to finish it off than with a caramel bar 🙂
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The Forest drive was beautiful Hannah and you are quite right, sometimes there’s nothing nicer than a Tunnocks caramel bar.
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very beautiful
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Thank you
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Beautiful pictures of the countryside. Thank you for sharing these.
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It’s my pleasure Ian, thank you as always for your valued thoughts.
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The forest drive looks quite fascinating and so does the views over the lake. We’ve been wanting to go on a Lough Navar Forest Drive for a while as Enniskillen is so close to where we live. We finally attempted to do it a few months ago, but where disappointed to find the road closed due to the maintenance. We can always return next year 🤗 Thanks for sharing and have a good day ☺️ Aiva
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What a shame that the road was closed when you tried to take the Lough Navar Forest Drive Aiva as it’s so beautiful. Hopefully you’ll be able to return sometime next year. Have you climbed The Stairway to Heaven in the geopark near the Marble Arch Caves? I would like to attempt that on a future visit as we really enjoyed Enniskillen. Thanks so much for following along on our road trip, it’s much appreciated.
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We’ve been to the Marble Arch Caves a few times and on each occasion we went on a boat ride which I have to say was an adventure to remember for sure, but I haven’t climbed the Stairway to Heaven. It’s definitely on my wish list 🤗
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The boat ride into the caves must be wonderful, hopefully I’ll get back when it’s running again sometime to experience it too.
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I have so loved following along on your Ireland trip! I just can’t get enough of those beautiful green hills and the striking cliffside views of the ocean. Sad to see this series come to an end, but also looking forward to seeing where you take us next 🙂 Merry Christmas Marion to you and your from me and mine!
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Thanks so much Meg for taking such an interest in this series of posts on my Irish road trip, it really was special! Happy Christmas to the three of you as well and here’s hoping to lots of travelling in 2022.
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The whole trip was an absolute delight and I enjoyed it all vicariously 🙂
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I’m delighted to read this Gwen, thanks so much for joining me on my Irish adventure.
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I’ve thoroughly had a wonderful time reading your Ireland travel series. Your photos in this post show just how absolutely green and iconic the country is, and they have since inspired me to return to explore the country’s nature– there’s a whole lot more to Ireland than just Dublin, that’s for sure!
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That’s so wonderful to read Rebecca. Dublin is a fine city to visit but there is a much more to the Emerald Island than that. Hopefully you’ll manage to get there when things settle down. Marion
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I really enjoyed your Ireland series! The nature views are truly spectacular!
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so pleased to read you enjoyed this series of posts.
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Such a great series, you’ve defiantly made me want to go to Ireland and visit the castles!
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Thanks so much Lyssy! Hope you are able to get over to Ireland before too long.
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Thanks for the beautiful tour and helpful information
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It’s my pleasure Alice, I’m so pleased to read you enjoyed our Irish road trip.
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You have definitely inspired me! Although this may have to wait on the back burner! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, hopefully you’ll get there one day!
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You are always set for the day, when you start with a full Irish. No black or white puddings for me, thanks. The forest drive and views look spectacular. Glad you had a great trip to the North. Thanks for sharing Marion. Allan
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Thanks for coming along on my Irish triad trip Allan, it’s been much appreciated.
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A fittingly splendid end to what looked like a great trip Marion. What I would give right now for an Irish (or English/Scottish/Welsh you name it) breakfast. Absolutely idyllic scenes from the forest drive and resulting viewpoint. Sladja and I would also be up for some exploring around Castle Coole, some great history there.
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Thanks Leighton, it was a wonderful 10 day trip and it just goes to show that you can derive just as much pleasure from a holiday in the British Isles as you can travelling somewhere exotic. Hopefully you’ll both be able to tuck into a traditional British breakfast in a few weeks time on your return to the UK. I’ve just had one in the centre of Manchester and it tasted delicious as always! Lovely sunny day here hope it’s nice with you too.
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I love the narrow road through the countryside. Talk about a scenic drive. The view from the Magho viewpoint of the coastline is spectacular. Sounds like you had a fantastic time in Northern Ireland. You have definitely provided inspiration and motivation for us to visit. Hopefully next year, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens with this new variant and fourth wave.
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Thanks so much Linda for following our Irish travels. I do hope that you get an opportunity to visit next year or soon after. Keep well and enjoy your festive preparations. Marion
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What a beautiful photo of the road between those high trees! And you had such beautiful views after your scenic drive. And a visit to yet another castle – love it!
Thank you Marion for taking me along on your Ireland trip … I’ve enjoyed it very much and saw beautiful places I never even heard of before!
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I’m delighted you enjoyed our Irish road trip and following our travels. We loved every minute of it too. Hopefully we’ll return to Ireland next year to explore the southern part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
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Wow! Nice Post!
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Thanks so much.
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