Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
Ballynoe Stone Circle on Ballynoe Road, BT30 8ET, is a free-entry prehistoric monument in the countryside near Downpatrick.
Struell Bath Houses and Wells is a free-access historic pilgrimage site on Ardglass Road near Downpatrick, BT30 6RA, with occasional access restrictions possible for works.
No: White Island Church and Figures is on an island in Lower Lough Erne, so the monument is not a normal drive-to-the-door heritage stop.
Tullynakill Church is a free-entry historic church ruin near Tullynakill Road, Comber, BT23 6AF, with occasional restrictions possible for heritage works.
Harry Avery’s Castle is a free-entry medieval ruin on Old Castle Road near Newtownstewart, BT82 8DY, subject to occasional access restrictions.
Newtownstewart Castle on Townhall Street, BT78 4AX, is listed by the Department for Communities as open **by arrangement**, not as a permanently open walk-in attraction.
Dromore Motte is a free-to-enter Anglo-Norman earthwork on Mount Street, Dromore, BT25 1FA, overlooking the River Lagan.
Yes. Narrow Water Castle, also called Narrow Water Keep, stands on Newry Road near Warrenpoint, BT34 2FJ, and is not listed as continuously open to visitors.
Bonamargy Friary is a free-access historic monument on the Ballycastle–Cushendall Coast Road, BT54 6QP, although conservation works can occasionally limit access.
Tully Castle on Loughshore Road near Derrygonnelly, BT93 6HP, is a free-entry heritage site on the shore of Lower Lough Erne.
Nendrum Monastic Site is on Mahee Island at Ringneill Road near Comber, BT23 6EP. The historic site is free to enter, subject to occasional restrictions for works.
Grey Abbey is a historic Cistercian monastery in Greyabbey village on the Ards Peninsula, but public visiting is subject to the heritage operator’s opening arrangements rather than guaranteed all-day access.
Dundrum Castle on Castle Road, BT33 0NF, is a free-entry historic site above Dundrum village; the Department for Communities warns that the sloping rocky hill can be difficult for wheelchair users.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park has its own car parks and is entered from Upper Malone Road. The lower entrance towards Drumbeg is useful for the Stables coffee shop.
Ormeau Park is a free public park in south Belfast, with entrances from Ormeau Road, Ormeau Embankment, Park Road and Ravenhill Road.
Mountsandel Wood is a wooded heritage walking destination on the River Bann near Coleraine, associated with one of Ireland’s earliest known settlements.
The Blackhead Coastal Path is a coastal walk from the Whitehead area towards Blackhead Lighthouse. Visitors should plan a walk rather than assume they can drive up to the lighthouse door.
Cranfield West Beach at the mouth of Carlingford Lough has visitor parking, toilets, showers and a children’s play area.
The An Creagán visitor complex near Creggan and Carrickmore provides parking for its short biodiversity trail and longer countryside walks.
Portmore Lough nature reserve has visitor parking and a path leading towards its bird hide and wildlife viewing areas near Aghalee.
Magheracross Viewpoint is a roadside viewing and picnic stop on the A2 near Portrush and Dunluce Castle. It is not the Whiterocks beach-access car park.
Garron Point is a coastal viewpoint and picnic stopping place on Garron Road in the Glens of Antrim. Tourism NI identifies picnic benches and a view across the rocky coast.
Donard Park in Newcastle has a public car park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, making it a recognised access point for walks towards Donard Forest and Slieve Donard.
Yes. Magho Viewpoint in Lough Navar Forest is reached by the forest’s scenic drive, allowing visitors to enjoy views over Lower Lough Erne without making a full hill hike.
Meenameen Lough has a car park used as a starting point for the Lough Navar Lakes Walk in County Fermanagh. It is not the same stopping point as the Magho panorama.
Palace Demesne is a free public park close to Armagh city centre, with on-site parking. Its published access arrangements distinguish pedestrians from vehicles.
Inch Abbey is a free-access historic ruin on Inch Abbey Road, Downpatrick, BT30 9AX, with a path leading from its parking area to the abbey remains.
No. Devenish Island’s monastic remains in Lower Lough Erne are accessible only by water; you cannot park beside the round tower or drive across a bridge.
The Janus Figure is in Caldragh graveyard on Boa Island in County Fermanagh. Official tourism information describes the monument as free to visit.
Yes. Seamus Heaney HomePlace provides two free visitor car parks: one near Main Street and another off Gulladuff Road in Bellaghy.
