Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is blessed with beautiful countryside and fabulous beaches and a vibrant heritage. From castles, monuments and monasteries to a wealth of galleries that celebrate the arts and culture of this unique area. There are many distinctive landmarks to explore, including the famous Giants Causeway and Slemish, a reminder of the country’s volcanic past. Brewing plays a big part in Northern Ireland too, with big names such as Bushmills resident here, brewing distinctive whiskeys popular the world over.
Places to go in Northern Ireland
Parades are an important part of Northern Irish culture and take place in cities and towns across the country, but most frequently in the capital Belfast. Parades take many forms, from political marches like the Orange walks to carnival-type processions like the Lord Mayor's parades. Murals are also important cultural symbols and they adorn the sides of buildings in Belfast and other urban areas. The murals are political and religious statements, but they are also works of art that immortalise the country’s history and well worth going to see. Among the most famous murals is ‘Free Derry Corner’. Outside of the urban areas the landscape is a mixture of mountains, rolling hills, and fertile plains. The centrepiece of Northern Ireland's geography is Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles. You can explore the lake on boat trips run out of many of the port towns. Derrywarragh Island features a 17th century fortified house known as O'Connors Stronghold.
Our Top Picks in Northern Ireland
We want you to enjoy the best that Northern Ireland has to offer and so here's a selection of our favourite things to see and do;
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
For anyone with a fear of heights, this is not the place to come unless you are hell-bent on conquering that fear. The 20-metre wooden rope bridge, suspended some 30 metres above rocks and crashing waves below, links the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island. Although no one has fallen off the bridge, there have been instances where people have been ferried back to the mainland by boat because they couldn’t face going back across the bridge.
St. Patrick's Day parades
If you plan to be in Northern Ireland over St. Patrick's Day then you most certainly have to celebrate the occasion at one of the many parades that take place on the day. Belfast’s celebrations never disappoint, offering a colourful carnival atmosphere. In addition the parade itself there are usually free concerts and parties going on across the city.
Derry city wall
Derry is home to the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland. Built in the 17th Century, the walls stretch 1km around the inner city. You can walk along the top of the wall, which provides a unique promenade to view the city, including the Gothic cathedral of St Columb that was built around the same period.
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