A great wee spot…
Northern Ireland, what a place. The North is home to naturally beautiful coasts, majestic mountainscapes and Titanic legends. So if you’ve got a day off or a weekend free coming up, why not hop in the car, head on up the road, and check the place out. To help you on your way, here are ten unmissable things to see and do in Northern Ireland.
And no, before you ask, going to visit Nadine Coyle’s house is not one of them.
1. Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic, Belfast
Some might say that this is an obvious choice but but believe us, this place is fantastic, and it’s really no surprise that Titanic Belfast has become the North’s most popular tourist attraction.
Image via Discover Northern Ireland.
Your journey takes you through nine galleries of this state-of the-art visitor experience telling the story of the Titanic. A word of warning though, they probably don’t appreciate it when you start shouting “Rose” and “Jack” at the top of your lungs.
As a bonus, right next door to the museum is the 100-years-old SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship which has been restored to her original glory.
Just click here for more info on Titanic Belfast.
2. Giants Causeway, County Antrim
The Giant’s Causeway is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and it certainly deserves its title.
Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim by Ian Gazzard.
Resulting from an almighty volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The natural wonder has attracted visitors for centuries and it’s packed with a wealth of local and natural history.
For more info on the Giant’s Causeway just click here.
3. Dark Hedges, Ballymoney, County Antrim
Apart from the aforementioned Nadine Coyle, the Dark Hedges is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in the North and a popular attraction for tourists from across the world.
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted waaaaay back in the eighteenth century, so it’s even older than your Granny. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have been used as a filming location in HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones, representing the dangerous and deadly King’s Road.
4. Have a cold pint of Guinness at the Duke of York Pub, Cathedral Quarter
Mmmmmmmm, a cold pint. It’s your round though.
Image via Discover Northern Ireland.
Nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke pub offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour. Hosting regular traditional sessions there really is no better place to sample the real taste of the city – simply step in and drink an Irish whiskey washed down with a pint of creamy stout. You can’t beat it.
More info on The Duke is right here.
5. Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
The Marble Arch Caves complex is one of Europe’s finest show caves, allowing visitors to explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Just make sure you don’t watch The Descent before heading in.
Tours of the caves last approximately 75 minutes and are suitable for people of average fitness. Looks like we’ll need to hit the gym then so.
More info on Marble Arch Caves is available here.
Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh by Terry McCartney.
6. Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, County Antrim
Situated along the Causeway Coastal Route, Carrick-a-Rede is reachable via a short coastal footpath… as long as you have a head for heights of course.
On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. Whatever you do though, do not let us see you with one of those ridiculous selfie sticks.
Image via Discover Northern Ireland.
Visitors travel from all over to take the fantastic rope bridge challenge and, while visiting, you’ll also have the opportunity to spot the diverse birdlife in the area, as well as an uninterrupted view across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. Look! They’re waving!
For more info on Carrick-A-Rede Ropebridge click here.
7. Game of Thrones Locations, all across Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones fan? Of course you are.
Why not swap the sofa for the real thing and experience the real filming locations in Northern Ireland AKA Westeros? You’ll be surprised by how easy it is to go from Dublin to Dragonstone or from Wicklow to Winterfell.
For the ultimate immersive experience, book into one of the Game of Thrones inspired tours, take archery lessons while dressed in the Stark family clothing or recreate famous scenes from the show, such as Melisandre’s birth to the shadow baby, filmed at the caves at Cushendun and the cliffs at Larrybane Head.
Who knows, if you’re lucky enough you might just run into some knights of the realm or a Stark as you discover the iconic landscapes that have characterised Game of Thrones®.
8. Dunluce Castle, County Antrim
Dunluce Castle is a medieval castle full of Irish history which dates back to the 14th century. The fantastic building is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, and there’s even archaeological evidence of a village that surrounded the castle.
Image via Discover Northern Ireland.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to approach the place on horseback or anything like they did in the olden days, the castle is now accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland.
More info on Dunluce Castle available here.
More info on the other historic castles in Northern Ireland: Explore Northern Ireland’s Historic Castles.
9. The Walled City of Derry, County Derry
A walk around the 400-year-old walls in Derry reveals a superdeedooper city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene. This is actually the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. We’ve visited every single one of them so you have to believe us.*
*We haven’t actually visited them all, but Derry’s walls are definitely still the best.
Image via Discover Northern Ireland.
For more information on The Walled City click here.
10. Take a Belfast black taxi tour with a local
Take an authentic black taxi tour around Belfast Quarters with a local guide, featuring local stories and some trademark Ulster wit.
Start your tour in the City Centre, then move through the shipyards and see where HMS Titanic was built and launched from. You can then head on to the political districts, before seeing the elegant University Quarter and Museum district. Plus you can finish off woth that pint we mentioned earlier.
More info on Black Taxi Tours.
For more information on Northern Ireland visit Discover Northern Ireland.
Main image via Discover Northern Ireland.
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