A small country filled with history, beautiful landscapes and great food.
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Plagued by over 30 years of violence known as the Troubles, Northern Ireland has never had the best reputation. However, today, in 2021, my home country has evolved into a peaceful, exciting and beautiful place. Here are my top 22 things to do in Northern Ireland:
This UNESCO world heritage site is made up of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, jutting out into the Irish Sea. It it believed to have been formed around 60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, bringing in close to 1,000,000 visitors in 2019. What’s more, it’s free to visit; you can bypass the visitor’s centre (which charges an entry fee) and head straight down to the rocks. Just remember your coat as it tends to get quite windy! More info here.
Belfast is home to the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. This attraction was opened in 2012, just beside the dock where the actual Titanic was built. The building’s unique star shape (representing the ship’s mother company The White Star Line) is the same size as the boat’s hull, offering an up close and personal chance to experience the scale of the original vessel. Throughout the museum, you can immerse yourself in all things Titanic — read the passenger’s stories as you walk your way through each stage of the journey, from the construction of the boat to the discovery of its wreck. Experience reconstructions of the staterooms, the dining rooms and the grand staircase and see genuine artifacts recovered from the seabed. Prices start at £19.00 per adult and £8.50 per child. More info here.
Located near Ballintoy in County Antrim, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede island. It is 20 metres long and swings 30 metres (100 feet) above the sea below. If you’re brave enough, you can cross the bridge for a small price of around £8.00, although pre-booking is essential due to the large number of visitors the site attracts. Once again, remember to bring a coat as the conditions can get pretty wild. More info here.
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended to impress visitors to their Gregorian mansion, however now, the trees have become one of the most photographed places in the country due to their dark, eerie setting. The avenue was used as a filming location for HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones, representing the King’s Road. More info here.
This 19th and 20th century jail was home to some of the worst criminals in the country; murderers, republican and loyalist terrorists and suffragettes. On a tour, you’ll be shown around the now disused jailhouse, the tunnel which connects it to the courthouse and the cells. You’ll hear stories of the riots, escapes and hunger strikes that took place there before finishing up in the ‘Condemned Man’s Cell’, where 17 inmates were hanged. If you’re feeling especially brave, the jail offers a guided night tour, where you can expect to be scared stiff by actors and ghosts alike. More info here.
Located in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens (number 11 on my list), Northern Ireland’s largest museum hosts over 8,000 square metres of public display space. Some of its exhibits include applied art, archaeology, textiles and fashion, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history, zoology, botany and geology. Perhaps its most famous exhibit is a 2,600 year old mummy from Ancient Egypt called ‘Takabuti’; she was believed to have died in her twenties after being stabbed in the back during a violent attack. In the museum, you can see her coffin and body up close through a glass cabinet. More info here.
The seaside town of Newcastle is a must-see for visitors to N.I. Enjoy an ice cream from one of the many parlours before having a leisurely stroll along the promenade, taking in stunning views of the Mourne Mountains. You can head to the base of the Mournes and even attempt to climb the largest, Slieve Donard. If climbing isn’t your thing, head round the back of the mountains where you’ll discover ‘Bloody Bridge’. Here, you can jump into one of the rock pools and refresh yourself in its icy water. More info here.
Another UNESCO site, the Marble Arch Caves offer visitors the opportunity to explore ‘fascinating secrets of a world of subterranean rivers, winding passages, lofty chambers and an array of delicate cave formations’. A carefully constructed path enables you to comfortably traverse the caves whilst discrete lighting displays the cave’s features to their best. During your walk, a guide will talk you through the stories and history surrounding the caves, delivering a truly one-of-a-kind experience. More info here.
These neighbouring seaside towns are the true staycation destinations for locals. Recently hosting the British Open in 2019, Royal Portrush Golf Club is set in the most stunning coastal landscape. Meanwhile, in Portstewart you can enjoy an array of independent shops as well as a plethora of cafés and bistros. Barry’s Amusem*nt Park is a real hidden gem; featuring multiple attractions alongside classic arcade machines — it cannot be missed. More info here.
Known as the ‘Queen of the Glens’, Glenariff Forest Park covers over 1,000 hectares with planted woodland, lakes, outdoor recreation spaces and conservation areas. There is a timber walkway (boardwalk) that winds through the glen, allowing visitors to stand at the base of one of the park’s tallest waterfalls. The boardwalk was built over 100 years ago and has recently been reconstructed to provide a spectacular, scenic walk. More info here.
Head to the grounds of the world famous Queen’s University Belfast — where Hillary Clinton is Chancellor —to visit Belfast’s Botanic Gardens. First established back in 1828, the gardens consist of extensive rose beds, rare oak trees, herbaceous borders and a palm house. There is also a tropical ravine, a large, glass building housing plant species from across the globe. With free entry, this is a lovely place to spend an afternoon in Northern Ireland. More info here.
If history is your forté, take a trip to the Shankill Road and the Falls Road to see some of the remains of Belfast’s ‘peace walls’. Erected during the Troubles, these walls were intended to separate the two communities, Catholic and Protestant, and deter any violence. However today, even though the Troubles are over, many people’s political view remain unchanged and therefore, the walls remain standing. Along both sides of the wall, you can see various murals painted to depict each side’s story. You can go on a guided walking tour and hear about the conflicts first hand from someone who lived through them. More info here.
Situated right in the heart of Belfast City’s harbour, The Big Fish is a printed ceramic mosaic sculpture by John Kindness. The 10 metre long statue was constructed in 1999 and its image appears on tourism material related to Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is a representation of The Salmon of Knowledge, a creature which features in Irish mythology and it is widely viewed that kissing the fish will bring good luck. More info here.
This traditional indoor market has been operating since 1604 and is one of the UK and Ireland’s best. You can sample some of the finest local produce, from baked goods to meat, and fish to cheese. Also on offer is some international produce, including paella, crepes and burgers. The best time to visit is early on a Sunday morning, as this is the main trading day and therefore the day with the best atmosphere, allowing you to experience St George’s to the full. More info here.
Approximately 2 hours away from Belfast by car or train, Derry~Londonderry is situated on the River Foyle. The city, one of only four in Northern Ireland, is known for its beautifully intact 17th century walls with seven gates. It was awarded UK City of Culture in 2010 and exercised this title in 2013. One of the city’s most well known features is the Peace Bridge crossing the Foyle; opened in 2011, the bridge stands as a monument to peace in the city and has been traversed by former president Bill Clinton, a big name in the Northern Irish peace process. More info here.
Another prominent filming location for the TV show Game of Thrones is Dunluce Castle. The iconic site, now in ruins, was built in 1500 by the MacQuillan family and had a tumultuous history, being seized by several other clans over the years. The dramatic history of the castle is matched with tales of a banshee and how the kitchens fell into the sea one stormy night in 1639. The castle even has its own smartphone app, which you can find on the UK App Store by searching ‘Dunluce Castle’. More info here.
Mount Stewart has always been the stately home of the Londonderry family. It hosts vast gardens of ‘unique and rare quality’ which members of the public are allowed to explore and enjoy — it is often considered to be one of the most outstanding gardens in the world, according to the National Trust. More info here.
Northern Ireland’s only aquarium, Exploris, is a great day out for the whole family. Newly renovated, the aquarium features a touch tank — allowing you to get up close and personal with sting rays, fish and baby sharks, a tropical zone with over 100 species of marine life and a seal sanctuary for rescued and injured seals. Prices start at £9.45 for an adult or £8.10 for a child. More info here.
Mussenden Temple is a small circular building located on the cliffs near Castlerock, high above the Atlantic Ocean. It was originally designed as a library and was built for the niece of the 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. It is one of the best places in the country to get a sunset photo due to the stunning landscape and ocean waves below. More info here.
Telling the story of the brave emigrants who made the journey to America hundreds of years ago, this open-air museum consists of thatched cottages and log cabins where costumed actors reenact traditional crafts such as horse shoe making and weaving. You can even board a full-scale emigrant ship to experience the conditions faced by many as they set sail for a new life in America. More info here.
Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in the entire world — it was founded in 1608. Take a guided tour and learn about the copper pot stills and production process of their triple distilled whiskeys and finish up with your very own whisky tasting experience. You can even buy a bottle straight from the distillery to take home as a momento. More info here.
Tayto is a Northern Irish crisp (chips for the Americans out there) producer in N.I. Its factory is situated in its very own castle in Tandragee. You can head to the castle for a guided tour of the factory, experiencing every step of the production process from the picking of the potatoes to the packaging department. This is a really unique experience and I can personally recommend it, having been twice myself. To finish, every visitor is given a free multi pack of crisps! More info here.
If you’ve never been to Northern Ireland before, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your bucket list. If you’re coming from the States, you can fly to Dublin (only a 1hr 30min bus/train ride from Belfast). Carriers like United, Delta and Aer Lingus offer direct flights from U.S. cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as one-stop flights from L.A., San Francisco and Houston among others.
If you’re coming from Europe or the U.K., there are many flights operating to Belfast International Airport from across the continent; from Poland to Italy, Paris to Prague.
I hope to see you soon!
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