Holidaying in Donegal over the 12th

leftieM

How early do you need to book a holiday home in Donegal? We had the notion of going away only to find that anything decent was long gone. We weren't in a position to travel very far as one of the group is breastfeeding a baby (if you ever see a car mysteriously parked in the hard shoulder, you'll now know why!) We didn't think there was any point staying somewhere in NI as I presume everywhere is as dead as Belfast.
We want to be on the ball and get somewhere for next year but when should we book? What's too early and what's too late?
Thanks in advance.

belfastgirl23

I think you need to get it arranged after Christmas if possible. Post Easter gets a lot trickier.

But TBH I think a lot of people have standing arrangements and go back to the same place every year so it's often stuff that's just come on the books that's available.

Donegal cottage holidays website is pretty good if you're looking for more info.

arkonite_babe

Have a look through the Discover Northern Ireland site, it has some good links as starting points

leftieM

arkonite_babe wrote: »

Have a look through the Discover Northern Ireland site, it has some good links as starting points

At the risk of knackering NI tourism, is NI any good anywhere over the Twelfth (excepting for those partaking in the rather exclusive festivities)? I know there are lovely spots here but you want to be able to go out for a drink or food etc. We looked into going to Enniskillen but thought we'd be greeted by 'closed' signs everywhere.

belfastgirl23

Good question. I know I ended up in Andersonstown one twelfth and it was like a normal day, everything open as usual - you could always holiday there

Maybe if you tried to find a town that wasn't hosting a parade it might be better?

Cheers for the Discover NI site arkonite_babe - now with the non smoking rule in it might be nice to holiday at home

leftieM

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Good question. I know I ended up in Andersonstown one twelfth and it was like a normal day, everything open as usual - you could always holiday there

Lol - we'll think about it.

Maybe if you tried to find a town that wasn't hosting a parade it might be better?

That requires a bit more local knowledge than we have. We need the map the army had that coloured in areas using orange and green so the soldiers knew where they'd be welcome and where they wouldn't!
The times are a changin' though. Maybe 'Orangefest' will take off as the council hope (although my money wouldn't be on it.)