Northern Ireland Travel Guide
Once forming the ancient kingdom of Ulster, Northern Ireland has
been home to Gaelic kings, ancient Irish clans and seafaring
Vikings. It is the Land of St Patrick and the giant Finn McCool,
and is steeped in myths and legends of a mysterious and heroic
past. Its appeal encompasses beautiful scenery, historic forts and
castles and a rich legacy of Celtic Christianity, as well as the
Ulster people who are welcoming and genuine, with an impetuous
sense of humour. Another attraction is the small size of the
country - its sights are all within a short, scenic drive of each
other along mostly rural roads whose only traffic jams are caused
by flocks of sheep and cattle crossings.To the south east lies some of Ireland's loveliest landscapes in
the Kingdoms of Down, an area recognised worldwide as an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty - it combines miles of spectacular
coastline with fishing villages, seaside resorts, loughs, forests
and the Mountains of Mourne. To the north is the dramatic Antrim
coastline with its soaring cliffs, unblemished beaches and the
magnificent glacier-carved Glens of Antrim. Among the unusual rock
formations glimpsed from the coastal road, none is stranger or more
memorable than the famous Giant's Causeway, the legendary tourist
attraction that is fabled to be the highway built by giant Finn
McCool, to bring his lady love to Ulster from an island in the
Hebrides. This World Heritage Site is a mass of thousands of basalt
columns tightly packed together to form stepping stones leading
from the foot of the cliffs into the sea.The gateway to the northwest is the historic walled city of
Londonderry, or Derry, a city that encompasses poets, storytellers,
music and festivals, and is a centre of culture and creativity.
Across the Sperrins is the city of Belfast, surrounded by hills and
a wealth of industrial sites, such as old linen and corn mills that
are a reminder of Northern Ireland's industrial heritage. Belfast
played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution and the
development of its manufacturing businesses quickly turned the
17th-century village into a robust metropolis that today is home to
a third of the country's population and some wonderful
architecture.With its green hills, rivers and lakes, mountains and
spectacular coastline, Northern Ireland is the perfect setting for
most outdoor activities, while in the towns and villages visitors
will undoubtedly be invited to join in the 'craic' or good fun,
centred on a traditional Irish music session and a pint or two of
the black stuff.
Northern Ireland Travel Guide
Money:
Pound Sterling (GBP)
Time:
Electricity:
Electricity is 230V, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are
used.
Language:
English, Irish, Ulster Scots
Health:
Tipping:
Safety:
Customs:
Business:
Duty Free:
Northern Ireland Travel Guide
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Description:
Once the city's centre for trade and its warehouse district, the
heart of Belfast's cultural and tourist hub is Cathedral Quarter,
so named because of the presence of St Anne's Cathedral. There are
some lovely examples of Victorian and Art Deco architecture,
several galleries, dedicated performing arts venues, good
restaurants and bars, and the area plays host to the Belfast Film
Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival annually. Given
some time, the Quarter could rival Dublin's Temple Bar district for
a good time in Ireland.
Address:
City centre, between Royal Avenue and the Dunbar
Link
Postcode:
Telephone:
028 9023 2403
Email:
Website:
www.cqaf.com
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Description:
The Belfast Botanic Gardens date back to 1828, but were only
opened to the public in 1895. The Gardens boast the Palm House, a
cast iron and glass house built in 1852, rose gardens, green
walkways and the Tropical Ravine greenhouse, which was built in
1889. The Gardens are popular with office workers, students, locals
and tourists alike, and at the main entrance to the Gardens is the
fascinating Ulster Museum. Founded in 1821, the Ulster Museum is a
treasure trove of fascinating exhibits on a range of subjects
(including Irish and local history), as well as being home to an
excellent art collection.
Address:
Between Botanic Avenue and Stranmillis Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
During closure call (0)28 9042 8428. Otherwise, call
(028) 9038 3000 (Museum); (028) 9032 4902 (Gardens)
Email:
Website:
www.ulstermuseum.org.uk
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Description:
The Belfast Zoo is packed with animals from all over the world -
from sea lions to giraffes - housed in a range of habitats, and
offers a fun-filled day out for the whole family to enjoy. The zoo
also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year, such as
reptile displays, birds of prey exhibitions and more, and has
active breeding and conservation projects. There is also cafe and
gift shop to be found on site.
Address:
Antrim Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(028) 9077 6277
Email:
challism@belfastcity.gov.uk
Website:
www.belfastzoo.co.uk
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Description:
Built between 1890 and 1896, St George's Market is one of the
city's oldest attractions, and the last remaining Victorian covered
market in the region. After painstaking (and expensive)
restoration, the market has reopened. On Fridays, the Variety
Market, as the name suggests, offers a range of different items
from antiques to clothes; while the City Food and Garden Market is
on Saturdays, and offers the freshest local, international and
speciality foods.
Address:
May Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(028) 9032 0202
Email:
markets@belfastcity.gov.uk
Website:
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket/index.asp
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Description:
The fascinating and mysterious Giant's Ring, near Shaw's Bridge,
is made up of a circular enclosure nearly 656 feet (200m) in
diameter with five entrances, and an older Neolithic passage tomb
dating back to roughly 3,000 BC. Although the exact purpose of the
henge is not known, some say that it served as a meeting point and
ritual area, and several packages and urns full of bones have been
excavated in the surroundings. There are beautiful views across the
Lagan Valley, and the Ring is a favourite spot for locals and
tourists alike to relax, picnic, cycle or walk.
Address:
Ballynahatty, near Shaw's Bridge
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
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Description:
The Ulster American Folk Park is an open-air museum that focuses
on the large-scale emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th
and 19th centuries, and is the biggest of its kind in Europe.
Displays illustrate the everyday life of the emigrants through
reconstructed original and replica buildings, a full-size replica
of a sailing ship and daily demonstrations of printing, cooking,
spinning and blacksmithing practices. There is also a fascinating
indoor museum and a dockside gallery. The park also hosts a number
of events, including popular music festivals such as the
Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival.
Address:
Mellon Road, Castletown
Postcode:
Telephone:
(028) 8224 3292
Email:
Website:
www.folkpark.com
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Description:
The focal-point of Belfast's trendy Cathedral Quarter district,
St Anne's Cathedral is a gorgeous monument, and a proud symbol of
all the best that the beleaguered nation of Northern Ireland has to
offer. With its foundation stone laid at the turn of the 20th
century, the Cathedral was constructed around an old parish church
- of which, only the Good Samaritan window still remains, viewable
in the sanctuary of St Anne's. In 1924, the west front of St Anne's
Cathedral was built in memoriam of the Ulster men and women who
lost their lives in World War I, and in 1932, mosaics of St Patrick
were inlaid to celebrate the 1,500-year anniversary of the Saint's
arrival in Ireland. However, the most intriguing sight for
present-day visitors to Belfast is the 130-foot (40m) stainless
steel spire that was added to the Cathedral in 2007. Known as the
'Spire of Hope', the structure is illuminated at night, and stands
as a symbol for the rejuvenation of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter,
and for the new hope and optimism that is beginning to flourish in
Northern Ireland's historically troubled capital.
Address:
Donegall Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
www.belfastcathedral.org
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Description:
The pride of Northern Ireland's tourist attractions, the Giant's
Causeway is a must-see sight for visitors to the northern half of
the Emerald Isle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant's
Causeway is a series of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, a
wondrous geological feature caused by ancient volcanic eruptions
along the Antrim coastline. The hexagonal columns, the tallest of
which are about 39 feet (12m) high, were formed over 60 million
years ago, and today, present visitors with a terrain that truly
does look like it must've been the handiwork of superhuman beings.
As you walk along the one mile (1.6km) causeway, you'll notice a
few famous formations among the columns, that have been given names
such as The Chimney Stacks, The Harp, The Organ and The Camel's
Hump. An on-site Visitors' Centre is open every day of the year,
and provides some interesting information about the origins and
myths surrounding the incredible columns that make up the Giant's
Causeway.
Address:
Antrim Coast
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
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Description:
Situated in an area of significant natural beauty - with views
of Rathlin Island and Scotland stretching out in the distance - the
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of Northern Ireland's newest and
most popular tourist attractions. The rope bridge, which connects
tiny Carrick Island with the mainland on the Antrim Coast, is the
latest in a 350-year series of bridges between the two points, and
offers a thrilling walk along the 66-foot (20m) divide, with
visitors suspended 100 feet (30m) above the rocks below.
Carrick-a-Rede has only been a tourist attraction for about five
years, but already boasts about a quarter of a million annual
visitors. Despite being quite scary, especially in high winds,
Carrick-a-Rede has an impeccable safety record, and the extreme
beauty of the rugged coastline on which it is built makes for a
highly worthwhile day trip for visitors to Northern Ireland.
Address:
Carrick Island, Antrim coastline
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
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Description:
One of the best-known bars in Northern Ireland, the Crown Liquor
Saloon stands proudly in Belfast's trendy Cathedral Quarter
district, delighting all comers with its 'olde world' charms and
inimitable atmosphere. A classic example of a Victorian 'gin
palace', the Crown has undergone several restorations and
refurbishments in its 130-year history, and today stands as
beautifully finished as ever before. Used as a setting in many
films, the Crown Liquor Saloon is an aesthetically pleasing place
to load up on some liquid refreshments or traditional pub fare, its
interior featuring mosaic tiles, gas lamps, a granite-topped bar,
carved ceilings and stained-glass windows. A must for visitors to
Belfast, the Crown Liquor Saloon is a great place to unwind after a
heavy day's sightseeing in the Cathedral Quarter.
Address:
46 Great Victoria Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)28 9024 3187
Email:
Website:
www.crownbar.com
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