Lads,
Does anyone on here know the quickest route from Galway to Belfast. There are numerous ways of going so any first hand experiences would be appreciated.
Someone suggested these 2 possible routes to me...
Galway - Roscommon - Longford - Cavan - Monaghan - Armagh - Portadown - Lisburn - Belfast
Galway - Athlone - Cavan - Monaghan - Armagh - Portadown - Lisburn - Belfast
Anyone any ideas?
Also, I need to go to Castleblayney from Galway in a few weeks. What would be the quickest way of doing this? Should I go to Monaghan town and to Castleblayney from here or is there a shorter route.
Thanks a lot for any help on this as I have no experience of driving up north so have no idea of what routes to take etc.
I don't think theres any real difference between the two ways you just posted. I'd go the second though if I were going. Was going up to the Galway match there last year against Antrim and got a bit lost on the way but came home through Kells and onto Mullingar then Athlone. So you could try going through Mullingar. The one thing I would say though is try http://www.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/
i would usually go Belfast, Enniskillen, Sligo and then Galway. Or via Bundoran and Ballyshannon to Enniskillen/Sligo.
it may be a bit longer distance wise, but the roads would be a lot better and about the same time wise as your 2 routes!!
Quote from: stpauls on August 13, 2009, 12:23:10 PM
i would usually go Belfast, Enniskillen, Sligo and then Galway. Or via Bundoran and Ballyshannon to Enniskillen/Sligo.
it may be a bit longer distance wise, but the roads would be a lot better and about the same time wise as your 2 routes!!
Yep thats the way i would go too. Much better roads now, what with the new by-passes etc.
Galway-Tuam-Sligo-Enniskillen-Belfast.
The Tuam-Sligo leg of the journey can be twisty in spots e.g. around Tubbercurry and between Sligo and Enniskillen, but once you're past Enniskillen you can make serious time.
Here's a wacky alternative - go via Dublin, just take the M50 northbound and then the M1/N1, straight all the way. Well out of your way obviously, but it's motorway all the way from Ballinasloe to Belfast, so you could make it in 4ish hours instead of 5ish. On the flip-side, you'd get caught for 3 tolls!
I have used the following 2 routes for Belfast Galwayman -
Galway - Athlone - Mullingar - Kells - Ardee - Dundalk - Belfast
Galway - Tuam - Charlestown - Sligo - Enniskillen - Ballygawley - Lisburn - Belfast (my preference!)
Both are about 4.5 hours depending on traffic during the day. An early start and 4 hours is possible.
For Castleblaney, use the first route above as far as Ardee and its about 20miles to 'blaney from here.
Used to live in belfast & would take the dublin route. Otherwise sligo is the way to go. Bad road sligo to enniskillen but the rest is grand. Stay away from the middle of the country altogether, disaster. Esp armagh, brutal roads
Quote from: stpauls on August 13, 2009, 12:23:10 PM
i would usually go Belfast, Enniskillen, Sligo and then Galway. Or via Bundoran and Ballyshannon to Enniskillen/Sligo.
it may be a bit longer distance wise, but the roads would be a lot better and about the same time wise as your 2 routes!!
As an alternative you could try Sligo - B'shannon - Belleek - Omagh - Ballygawley - Belfast...a bit longer but avoids the Sligo Enniskillen road through Manorhamilton etc and also going through Enniskillen can be a nightmare depending what time of day and how man Southern shoppers are on the roads!!...also better roads and a by pass of Omagh in place now.
Those route planners and google maps are good but not infallible
Quote from: A Quinn Martin Production on August 13, 2009, 12:58:57 PM
Quote from: stpauls on August 13, 2009, 12:23:10 PM
i would usually go Belfast, Enniskillen, Sligo and then Galway. Or via Bundoran and Ballyshannon to Enniskillen/Sligo.
it may be a bit longer distance wise, but the roads would be a lot better and about the same time wise as your 2 routes!!
As an alternative you could try Sligo - B'shannon - Belleek - Omagh - Ballygawley - Belfast...a bit longer but avoids the Sligo Enniskillen road through Manorhamilton etc and also going through Enniskillen can be a nightmare depending what time of day and how man Southern shoppers are on the roads!!...also better roads and a by pass of Omagh in place now.
Those route planners and google maps are good but not infallible
yeah, that is another way via Kesk etc. Takes you away from the madness that is the traffic in Enniskillen.
Go via Dublin. tHe few bob extra on the toll will be more than compensated for by the fact that you will be far less tired on arrival. From Mayo I always have to go via Sligo-Enniskillen and it's a really tiring journey. A friend living in Galway always goes home to Belfast via Dublin.
Ignore all previous posts.
Without a doubt it's Sligo, Enniskillen, Belfast since the new road for Sligo to Galway was opened.
I do it a couple of times every few months and you can do it in 3.5 hours. Down through the country is a 'mare.
If I'm going to Galway from Blayney, I'd always go Blayney, Ballybay, Cootehill, Cavan Town, Canard, Ballymahon, Athlone - Glaway.
Its not great roads at times but its the best route.
What you at in Blayney? Business or pleasure?
To Castleblayney, this route is about 10 minutes shorter than Bingobus's ....
Galway - Roscommon - Longford - Granard - Cavan - Cootehill - Ballybay (mind now) - Blayney
On to Belfast
Blayney - Culloville - Crossmaglen - Newry (on to Bypass) and up the M1 to Belfast.
Quote from: thebandit on August 13, 2009, 03:10:24 PM
To Castleblayney, this route is about 10 minutes shorter than Bingobus's ....
Galway - Roscommon - Longford - Granard - Cavan - Cootehill - Ballybay (mind now) - Blayney
On to Belfast
Blayney - Culloville - Crossmaglen - Newry (on to Bypass) and up the M1 to Belfast.
I'll do it in my new yoke and I'll make up the ten minutes ;)
I'd also never go that way to Belfast.
I'd go Blayney - Keady - Armagh-Portadown-Motorway-Belfast.
Ignore all those suggesting a route via Dublin.
The roadworks and temporary speed limits at Newry, Sheepbridge,Loughbrickland, Banbridge x2 and Hillsborough will break your heart.
Without a doubt the most sensible route here is Galway, Sligo, Enniskillen, Belfast. However, as many have said the road from Sligo to Enniskillen is a disaster if you get stuck behind something (which you will as it is a busy road). There is a route you can take if you don't mind going cross country for a bit (I do this as I hate sitting in slow traffic). When you leave Tubbercurry you'll hit the N4 at a roundabout. Turn left for sligo and you hit another roundabout straight away. Turn right on this roundabout for ballygawley. You can then go Ballygawley, Ballintogher, Dromahair and then into Manorhamilton. Its a much quieter road. I suppose it depends on what time of the day you are travelling, if its before 8am you'll have no problems between enniskillen and sligo.
Quote from: thebandit on August 13, 2009, 03:10:24 PM
To Castleblayney, this route is about 10 minutes shorter than Bingobus's ....
Galway - Roscommon - Longford - Granard - Cavan - Cootehill - Ballybay (mind now) - Blayney
On to Belfast
Blayney - Culloville - Crossmaglen - Newry (on to Bypass) and up the M1 to Belfast.
That is a brutal stretch of road.
Quote from: Take Your Points on August 16, 2009, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on August 16, 2009, 07:05:35 PM
Ignore all those suggesting a route via Dublin.
The roadworks and temporary speed limits at Newry, Sheepbridge,Loughbrickland, Banbridge x2 and Hillsborough will break your heart.
I take it you have been near Enniskillen, Omagh to Dungannon recently.
I travelled to and from Galway from Omagh in the last week. Enniskillen to Sligo is a terrible road. Avoid coming into Enniskillen from Sligo direction as it can take a long time to queue in to the bridge, expect queues of over 2/3 miles at peak times. Ballygawley to Dungannon can be a problem with on-going road constructions and eejits on tractors.
I would advise heading to Dublin and then down M1 as far as Ardee junction, head to Castleblaney, Armagh, Portadown, M1 to Belfast if travelling during the day to avoid road construction problems.
Galway and Mayo must have some of the most useless TDs in the country given the terrible roads on the way up North with the exception of around Knock.
If you want to go to Castleblayney from the M1, Take the 2nd exit for Dundalk (Dundalk Central/Castleblayney). 5-10 mins quicker.