Ideas for 50th Birthday Celebrations

Hi
Looking for ideas where 3 couples can celebrate 3 x 50th birthdays over the weekend of 20/21/22 January 2017 - we like eating, drinking, walking, music, the great outdoors and a little bit of pampering.  We don't want to have to drive too far from our respective homes in Strabane, Portrush & Belfast, a maximum 3 hr drive for all of us, but we want to go somewhere other than where we live. 
Any ideas welcome!
Thanks in advance.
Sharon

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for contacting us here on the community forum.

If you fancy getting away from Northern Ireland without going too far, then Sligo and Donegal is a great option. 
 
For accommodation in the area, click on the links to choose the most suitable for you all in the Donegal and Sligo area. You will be spoilt for choice on finding the perfect spot to celebrate your collective birthdays.

At the start of the Wild Atlantic Way, there is plenty of opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy a walk and I’m sure you will find places to stop and have a drink and a meal to refresh you after a walk on a beach.
 
It is also possible for you all to make it down to Dublin within your 3 hour travelling limit. There you will find plenty of things to do and places to spoil yourselves.

Once again, choosing the perfect place to stay will be your starting point, allowing you to explore the delights of the capital city both day and night. 

Here is a link to another post within the community, which has gathered some useful information to help you on your way.

I hope this information is of use to you and enjoy your weekend of celebrations, :)

Thanks Martin

Hi Sharon.
Reading your post here in Killarney Co Kerry - so a spot too far for you. Only had to give this 10 seconds thought and I think you should head for "Harveys Point Hotel" in Donegal. I personally have never been there but I think they tick all the boxes for you. 
Have a great rolled into one - three x 50th birthday parties. 
Conor

Hi Sharon,

Why not try our new Game of Thrones Door Food Tour on the Friday night, this is to see some of the Game of Thrones Doors but also to enjoy some of the local cuisine.  The tour can start at any point within the Causeway Coast area, the first stop on the tour is Frank Owens Bar in Limavady where you all can enjoy some bread and a great selection of Broighter Gold oils, then on to the Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy having a wee glass of prosecco on the way to enjoy a lovely seafood chowder, the next stop on the trip would be Gracehill house where you can enjoy a meaty platter of wings, ribs and wedges, and to finish it off a lovely selection of cheeses, chutneys and biscuits with a wee glass of Red Rathlin ale. 

On the Saturday take a tour of the North Coast starting at Mussenden Temple to Carrick-a-rede rope bridge or if you like food there is a great Food Walking tour in Ballycastle on the Saturday morning https://www.facebook.com/BallycastleandNorthCoastWalkingTours .  Mark could also organise a great walk on the Saturday http://dalriadakingdom.com/, on the Sunday a stroll round the Bushmills Distillery or if they weather permits take a trip over to Rathlin Island.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like a price for the whole weekend or would like me to help arrange any part of it.

Best Regards
Frances

Thanks for all the replies.

Hello 5o

Stay close to home and go to The Galgorm Hotel and spa. It is really good with entertainment every night and a whole mix of people from around Ireland.. There is walk s in the grounds horse riding and the spa. Shooting can be had close by and a visit to Bellaghy to The Seamus Heaney Homeplace could also be arranged. 

Colin

Hi Sharon,

The http://www.leopardstown.com/The-Coral.ie-Hurdle-Raceday/ on Sunday sounds great, what about a pamper package in the Camden Hotel http://www.camdencourthotel.com/ you could head down to the Camden Hotel on the Friday afternoon, relax on the Friday night, enjoy a pamper day in the spa and pool on the Saturday, and go to the racing on the Sunday and home again on Monday morning.
You could hire my bus to go and you wouldn't even to worry about driving :)

So many great ideas, thank you for all the responses (unfortunately the system doesn't allow me to respond to each individual).  We are narrowing it down because we all want to avoid cities and go to a place none of us have been to before (that's the difficult bit as we are all well travelled in Ireland and one or all of us have already been to all the suggestions!).  Thanks again.

Hi Sharon
I know you want to avoid the City but why not take the train to Dublin, no worries about cars, you can take a day tour to Wicklow if you wish or jump on the train to Dun Laoghaire or visit us in Howth, or you could squeeze in a spot of shopping on the luas to Dundrum or Grafton Street.
Dublin is a City but you know it has the proper Village atmosphere at the end of the day and there are so many hotels to choose from that will cater for any budget 
You can explore the GPO, Glasnevin Cemetery, Kilmainham Gaol, EPIC Ireland, Little Museum of Dublin there is something for everyone on the doorstep of Dublin.
Either way you will have fun!
Advanced birthday wishes for you all and not forgetting that you wish to pamper yourself too , check out https://www.spas.ie/spas/dublin
Enjoy!
Majella