Northern Ireland offers visitors a glimpse into some of the most spectacular natural and historical sites in Europe. Whether you are visiting a medieval castle, or walking the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland is a beautiful place to behold. Here is an overview of the best attractions to visit in Northern Ireland:
10. Mount Stewart House
flickr/Deirdre Gregg
Mount Stewart House is located in County Down. The fantastical grounds as well as the gorgeous estate were home to the Marquesses of Londonderry, the seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family who played a large part in the Irish and British social and political interactions. The vast estate covers 98 acres of land and is an absolutely stunning place to visit.
9. Belfast City Hall
flickr/Leo Ye
Located in Donegall Square in Belfast, this large and stylish public building was once the site of a linen manufacturer. The Baroque Revival style of the building along with the green grasses of the grounds allow for tourists and locals alike to marvel in it’s splendour and significance. Visiting the Belfast City Hall is a must in Northern Ireland.
8. Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
flickr/Tewkes (780K)
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is located in Cultra, 11km east of Belfast. This outdoor museum allows for visitors to discover what life was like 100 years ago. Cottages, farms, schools and shops have all been designed to transform the area into a turn of the century wonder. Steam engines and horse drawn carriages from the transport museum allow for a unique experience.
7. Ulster Museum
flickr/Steve Thompson
The Ulster Museum is located in the Botanic Gardens of Belfast and offers free admission to anyone wishing to see the wonders within. The 8,000 square meters of mummies, dinosaurs, paintings and many more fantastic things allows for any visitor to experience the vast world of history.
6. Dunluce Castle
flickr/Andrea Pucci
Dunluce Castle is a medieval castle located in County Antrim. The castle is surrounded by beautiful, yet dangerous cliff sides and crisp sea air. The castle is currently in ruins, yet it remains an important historical site for those interested in early Christianity, Vikings and Medieval times. The site is open to the public and is visited most in the summer months.
5. City Walls (Derry)
flickr/flyingkiwigirl
The City Walls of Derry were built in the early part of the 17th century. Derry is the only remaining walled city in all of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The four original gates were named the Bishop’s Gate, Gerryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate. The walls are about 1.5km around the city and offer visitors and locals the opportunity to walk the city, see the original Renaissance Style street plan, as well as view the beautiful scenery around the city itself.
4. Causeway Coastal Route
flickr/Ryan McMurray
The Causeway Coastal Route is a scenic drive from Belfast to Derry. Drivers and passengers making the trip along this route will see some of the most beautiful cliffsides, scenery and natural wonders Northern Ireland has to offer. The route allows for stops in many cities including Ballycastle, Bushmills and Portrush.
3. Crumlin Road Gaol
flickr/Dmitri Korobtsov
The Crumlin Road Gaol is a Victorian Era prison located in Belfast. The prison was opened in 1845 and remained a working prison until 1996. After several renovations, the gaol was opened to the public for guided tours, the underground passageway to the courthouse and many other fascinating bits of history. Tickets and tour hours are easily accessible.
2. Titanic Belfast
flickr/David Nesbitt uk
The Titanic was one of the world’s most tragic occurrences. The memorial of the lives that were lost on the great ship’s voyage is located in Belfast at the site of the ship builders Harland and Wolff who built the Titanic as well as the Olympic. The site serves as both a memorial and a museum to the great shipping industry that once encompassed Belfast.
1. Giant’s Causeway
flickr/Darragh Sherwin
The Giant’s Causeway is located northeast of the town of Bushmills. The causeway’s legend is that it was built by an Irish giant who was challenged to fight a Scottish giant and built the pillars across the North Channel so that the two could meet. The Giant’s Causeway was, however, formed by volcanic activity about 50 to 60 million years ago. This site is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in all of the United Kingdom, and definitely worth the trip.
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