Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland packs in the attractions with a rich cultural heritage, striking scenery and a sweep of stunning coastline
Activities
World class golf, mind-blowing rock climbing, magnificent horse racing and a whole host of watersports
Bird Watching
Check out Rathlin Island, County Antrim, where you can find divers, grebes, shearwaters, petrels, swans, geese, ducks, waders, skuas, terns, auks, dippers and kingfishers.
Cruising
Take to the waters in your very own boat and explore the beauty of the Fermanagh Lakes and the Shannon Erne Waterway.
Fermanagh Lakes, County Fermanagh
These pretty lakes offer excellent watersports, great fishing and sublime scenery.
See more highlightsFishing
Shoals of adult bream are often huge in the Erne at Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, while roach are also prolific around there, too. Or seek out the roach/bream hybrids in the smaller loughs around Banbridge, County Down.
Golf
Ireland is one of the best places in the world for spectacular and scenic golf courses, and Northern Ireland has plenty to offer the adventurous golfer. The Ardglass Golf Club in County Down boasts spectacular cliffs overlooking the sea; Castle Hume sits picturesquely on the shores of Lough Erne; and the Royal County Down enjoys magnificent scenery with the Mourne Mountains as a backdrop.
Horse Racing
Enjoy all the thrill of the sport of kings at Down Royal and Downpatrick Race Course, County Down.
Riding
High-quality facilities, a lively equestrian scene and spectacularly pretty countryside make Northern Ireland a wonderful spot for horse riding.
Rock Climbing, Surfing and Biking
There are a host of wonderful spots to indulge yourself in these outdoor pursuits for all levels of expertise.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is on offer at Strangford Lough, Belfast Lough and the North Antrim coast.
Water-skiing
Pull on your wetsuit and enjoy waterskiing for all abilities at the Craigavon Lakes, County Armagh.
Children
Northern Ireland delivers the goods with fun for all the family.
Armagh Planetarium
Get stellar with meteorite impacts and space robots, build a rocket, and see a star show.
Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival, Londonderry
Don a silly mask and get into the spirit of things with Ireland’s largest Hallowe’en party.
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, County Antrim
Find out if you’ve got a head for heights with this rope bridge, which hangs over an 80ft chasm. No one’s ever fallen off, but some visitors are so scared they can’t face the return journey and have to be taken off the island by boat!
See more highlightsExploris Aquarium, County Down
With a seal sanctuary caring for injured or abandoned pups, excellent discovery pools, and a large open sea tank, Exploris is ideal for getting close to marine life.
Sperrin Heritage Centre, Tyrone
This multi-media centre covers life in Tyrone, from local customs to the quest for gold.
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Take a journey through time at this transport museum with original buildings, horse-drawn carts and steam locomotives.
Ulster American Folk Park, County Tyrone
This open-air museum tells the story of Irish mass emigration to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Watertop Open Farm, Ballycastle, County Antrim
Watertop is a beautiful big sheep and cattle farm in the Glens of Antrim offering pony trekking, boating, fishing, scenic walks, shearing demonstrations and an assault course.
Culture & Festivals
Satisfy your erudite side with exciting cultural events from opera to oyster festivals
Castle Ward Opera Season, County Down
Enjoy world-class opera in the grounds of this stunning National Trust Property.
Fiddler’s Green Folk Festival, County Down
Attracting singers from around the world to the small town of Rostrevor, the highlight of the lively Fiddler’s Green Folk Festival is the biggest crossroads céilí in the world. Get your dancing shoes on, folks!
Hillsborough Oyster Festival, County Down
Set in the pretty Georgian village of Hillsborough, the International Oyster Festival features the World Oyster Eating Championships, as well as lots of entertainment, food and drink.
See more highlightsJazz & Blues Festival, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
Tap your toes and chill out with great tunes at this excellent Jazz & Blues Festival featuring three great jazz concerts over three thrill-packed evenings.
Millennium Forum, Londonderry
This multi-purpose theatre offers a variety of entertainment from concerts to pantomimes.
Ould Lammas Fair, Ballycastle, County Antrim
The streets of this seaside town get closed off to make way for the bustling annual sheep, pony and livestock sale. But it’s not just about the animals – a host of market stands line the pavements of this small village and foodies can gorge on unique sweet and savoury treats, as well as a host of local produce.
St Patrick Centre, County Down
The Centre in Downpatrick houses the first permanent exhibition to tell the story of Ireland's patron saint.
The Hysterical Comedy Festival, County Londonderry
Held by An Grianan Theatre, the Hysterical Comedy Festival serves up the best of national and international comedians and comedy acts. Check the website for current dates and programme.
The Tower Museum, Londonderry
This award-winning museum tells the story of Londonderry from its geological formation to the present day.
Ulster Museum, County Antrim
The Ulster Museum contains Northern Ireland’s expansive collection of art, archeology and natural science, as well as changing exhibitions.
Eating, Drinking and Luxury
Test your culinary skills at a top-class cookery school or taste the finest food at one of Northern Ireland’s Michelin-starred restaurants.
Beech Hill Country House Hotel, County Londonderry
A wonderful 18th-century country house surrounded by 32 acres of parkland with landscaped gardens, pools and waterfalls.
Belle Isle Castle & Cookery School, County Fermanagh
Enjoy the romance of Belle Isle Castle, which was built in 1680 and has been kept in its original layout. It’s now home to Northern Ireland's first residential cookery school.
Bushmills Inn, County Antrim
This multi-award-winning hotel is replete with turf fires and gaslights, boasts an extensive range of intriguing bedrooms, an atmospheric restaurant, a turf-fired old kitchen and a Victorian bar.
See more highlightsGlassdrumman Lodge, County Down
A delightful country house situated in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains overlooking the Irish Sea. Glassdrumman Lodge is a rural jewel where luxury and comfort go hand in hand.
Malmaison Boutique Hotel, Belfast
Choose from a swish rock ’n’ roll suite or a slinky room you'll never want to leave. The brasserie offers a wide variety of deluxe food in a plush decadent environment at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Saint Ernan’s Country House, County Donegal
Offering superb hotel accommodation in County Donegal, the four star St Ernan’s Country House Hotel is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Soaked in Regency period atmosphere, the house is surrounded by eight acres of woodland giving it a real feel of a hideaway despite being only two miles away from Donegal town.
St John’s Country House, County Donegal
Sitting prettily in a remote location on the shores of Lough Swilly in Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula, St John’s is as renowned for its spectacular views as it is for its award-winning cuisine.
Star Treatment
Taste the finest food at Northern Ireland’s Michelin starred restaurants - Shanks & Oriel.
Gay & Lesbian
From indie bars to award-winning venues, Northern Ireland’s gay scene has to be experienced.
Belfast Pride
Week-long series of events including parties, film, arts, entertainment, sports and debates.
Forbidden Fruit @ Club Milk (Tomb Street)
A dressed-up club crowd keeps things glam on a Monday night.
Howl @ The Pavillion (296 Ormeau Road)
An alternative gay club focusing on indie and alternative music.
See more highlightsKremlin (96 Donegall Street)
One of Belfast’s biggest and best-known gay clubs.
Liquorice @ The Potthouse (1 Hill Street)
Gay night every Thursday at this trendy bar, which is a modern version of a traditional Irish pub.
Mynt (2 Dunbar Street)
An award-winning gay complex featuring a spacious lounge bar and two clubrooms with DJs, entertainers and periodic live acts.
Pepes Bar & Nightclub, Londonderry
Popular bar and club in the heart of Londonderry.
Shopping
Northern Ireland’s shopping complexes are legendary so make sure to bring an extra suitcase!
County Down Crafts, 11b Scotch Street, Downpatrick, County Down
A good selection of quality crafts, which make stunning gifts for friends back home.
Lisburn Square, Lisburn
An award-winning shopping complex with a unique blend of upmarket retailers.
Newry Market
An institution in the city, this colourful variety market has operated for more than 100 years every Thursday and Saturday.
See more highlightsShambles Market, Cathedral Road, Armagh City
As well as a glut of top name high street fashion stores, you can rummage around for something unique at the Shambles Market every Tuesday and Thursday where over 35 traders ply their wares.
The Linen Green, 1 The Linen Green, Moygashel, County Tyrone
This designer outlet village on the site of a former linen mill includes top brand names such as Paul Costelloe, Anne Storey, Helen McAlinden and Foxford Giftware.
The Quays Complex, Newry
Extensive shopping mall stocking all the major high street fashion stores including a|wear, Faith, Oasis and River Island.
Sightseeing
With castles and cathedrals, forts and scenic gardens, get set for some spectacular sightseeing.
Carrickfergus Castle County Antrim
This castle first appears in the official English records in 1210 when the notorious King John laid siege to it and ultimately took control. These days, it’s remarkably intact despite 750 years of continuous military occupation.
Castle Coole, County Fermanagh
Designed by James Wyatt for the Earls of Belmore, and completed in 1798, Castle Coole is a perfect example of late 18th-century Hellenism with a fine Palladian front.
Devenish Island, County Fermanagh
Devenish Island is famous for its perfect 12th-century round tower and Carrickfergus Castle.
See more highlightsDown Cathedral, County Down
Situated on the Hill of Down, the cathedral’s organ is one of the finest in Ireland. And St Patrick is reputed to be buried in the graveyard.
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim
Dating back to the 16th century, the dramatic ruins of Dunluce Castle, located on the North Antrim coast, stand on a 100ft high basalt stack with a sea cave underneath.
Enniskillen Castlel, County Fermanagh
This fine castle, once the home of the Gaelic Maguire chieftains, represents an important part of Fermanagh's rich history and heritage.
Mount Stewart House & Gardens, County Down
Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, Mount Stewart is a neo-classical house with gardens that are among the finest in Europe.
Navan Fort, County Armagh
A large earthwork on the summit of a hill, Navan was known in legend as Emain Macha, ceremonial and spiritual capital of ancient Ulster, associated with tales of the warrior Cuchulainn.
The Ulster History Park, County Tyrone
A colourful and living vision of the past through exciting reconstructions, the Ulster Park focuses on the period from 8000BC to the 17th century.
Mount Stewart House & Gardens, County Down
Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, Mount Stewart is a neo-classical house with gardens that are among the finest in Europe.
Navan Fort, County Armagh
A large earthwork on the summit of a hill, Navan was known in legend as Emain Macha, ceremonial and spiritual capital of ancient Ulster, associated with tales of the warrior Cuchulainn.
The Ulster History Park, County Tyrone
A colourful and living vision of the past through exciting reconstructions, the Ulster Park focuses on the period from 8000BC to the 17th century.
