ESSENTIALS

Getting there & around

Stena Line operates ferry services from Cairnryan, Liverpool and Holyhead to Belfast, while P&O sails from Larne to Cairnryan. stenaline.ie poferries.com Loganair flies from Liverpool and Stansted to Derry. EasyJet, Aer Lingus and British Airways fly to Belfast from a range of UK airports. loganair.co.uk easyjet.com aerlingus.com ba.com Average flight time: 1h25.

Ulsterbus and Goldline offer bus services throughout Northern Ireland, but a car is best for this trip. Rental companies operate in Derry and Belfast. translink.co.uk rentalcars.com

When to go

May, June and September offer warm weather with lighter crowds. For dark skies, consider November to February.

Places mentioned

OM Dark Sky Observatory. omdarksky.com

Davagh Forest & MTB trails. mountainbikeni.com

Seamus Heaney HomePlace. seamusheaneyhome.com

Ulster American Folk Park. nmni.com Auld Bank Coffee Shop. facebook.com/theauldbankcoffee

Where to stay

Sperrin View Glamping, Davagh. Cabins from £110. sperrinviewglamping.com Ardtara House & Restaurant, Maghera. Doubles from £189, B&B. ardtara.com An Creagán, Creggan. Self-catering cottages from £50. ancreagan. com

More info

discovernorthernireland.com exploreomaghsperrins.com darksky.org

How to do it

EMBRACE TOURS offers a one-night package including accommodation, breakfast and a picnic at Beaghmore Stone Circles from £250 per couple. embrace.tours

J&K COACHES offers build-your-own tour packages in mid-Ulster. jandkcoaches.co.uk