Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Discover Ireland’s North
The North of Ireland crams a huge variety of scenic and historic attractions into a small space. From the legendary stepping stones of the Giant’s Causeway to the historic walls of Derry, it offers a wealth of experiences. Here are some of the highlights:
Belfast
Belfast City is a confident revitalised hub that offers some unique visitor experiences, including its famous murals and the gleaming multimedia spectacle of the Titanic Museum. Other attractions include:
- The W5 exhibition at the Odyssey
- Black Taxi Tour – Shankill Road & Falls Road
- St. George’s Market
- Belfast Castle & Cave Hill Visitor Centre
Games of Thrones
Much of the hugely popular HBO series Game of Thrones was filmed at Old Castle Ward, just 40 minutes from Belfast. You can tour the large demesne of Old Castle Ward and explore more than 20 of the most celebrated filming location hotspots, including Bran’s fall from Winterfell Castle, the Winterfell archery range, Walder Frey’s twins, and the tree branch where Brienne confronts Starkmen. You can even have a go at archery with full Game of Thrones costume.
The Dark Hedges
An eerie tunnel of entangled beech trees along County Armagh’s Branagh Road, The Dark Hedges is among the most photographed natural occurrences in Northern Ireland. The trees were planted in the 18th century by the Stuart Family, who hoped the otherworldly avenue would unsettle guests as they approached their Georgian manor, Gracehill House. The Dark Hedges was used as a filming location for the Game of Thrones series, and, according to local legend, it is often visited by an apparition known as Grey Lady.
Derry
Derry is Northern Ireland’s second-largest city. It underwent an extensive makeover for its year as the UK City of Culture 2013, and it is now an artistic and cultural delight. New attractions include the Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square, and the revitalized waterfront and Guildhall area. Other visitor favourites include the famous Derry walls and bogside murals.
The Giant's Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway consists of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, created by an ancient volcanic eruption, about 5km northeast of the town of Bushmills. Declared a World Heritage site in 1986, it is one of Northern Ireland’s most famous attractions. Part of the appeal is the legend that explains the causeway as a path created by the Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill to meet the Scottish giant Benandonner. It is just a legend, but the way the tops of the columns form stepping stones that disappear under the sea lend this natural attraction a touch of real magic.
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Belfast
Belfast City is a confident revitalised hub that offers some unique visitor experiences, including its famous murals and the gleaming multimedia spectacle of the Titanic Museum. Other attractions include:
- The W5 exhibition at the Odyssey
- Black Taxi Tour – Shankill Road & Falls Road
- St. George’s Market
- Belfast Castle & Cave Hill Visitor Centre
Games of Thrones
Much of the hugely popular HBO series Game of Thrones was filmed at Old Castle Ward, just 40 minutes from Belfast. You can tour the large demesne of Old Castle Ward and explore more than 20 of the most celebrated filming location hotspots, including Bran’s fall from Winterfell Castle, the Winterfell archery range, Walder Frey’s twins, and the tree branch where Brienne confronts Starkmen. You can even have a go at archery with full Game of Thrones costume.
The Dark Hedges
Set in the heart of Dublin City, Dublin Castle was the seat of English (and then British) rule in Ireland from 1204 until 1922. It is well worth taking a guided tour of the castle for some fascinating insights into the past, taking you from the excavation site of Viking and medieval Dublin to the Gothic Chapel Royal and finally to the magnificence of the former viceregal State Apartments.
Derry
Derry is Northern Ireland’s second-largest city. It underwent an extensive makeover for its year as the UK City of Culture 2013, and it is now an artistic and cultural delight. New attractions include the Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square, and the revitalized waterfront and Guildhall area. Other visitor favourites include the famous Derry walls and bogside murals.
The Giant's Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway consists of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, created by an ancient volcanic eruption, about 5km northeast of the town of Bushmills. Declared a World Heritage site in 1986, it is one of Northern Ireland’s most famous attractions. Part of the appeal is the legend that explains the causeway as a path created by the Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill to meet the Scottish giant Benandonner. It is just a legend, but the way the tops of the columns form stepping stones that disappear under the sea lend this natural attraction a touch of real magic.
