Northern Ireland

Fishing

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.

Exploris 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. This beautiful area stretches from the shores of Lough Neagh to just south of County Londonderry.

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.

Jazz & 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.

Glassdrumman 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.

Kremlin (96 Donegall Street), Belfast

One of Belfast’s biggest and best-known gay clubs.

Liquorice @ The Potthouse (1 Hill Street), Belfast

Gay night every Thursday at this trendy bar, which is a modern version of a traditional Irish pub.

Mynt (2 Dunbar Street), Belfast

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.

Shambles 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

Bushmill’s Distillery, County Antrim

Bushmill’s is the oldest legal whiskey distillery in the world and has been in business since 1608. You can visit the distillery and get a guided tour and, of course, indulge in a spot of golden whiskey tasting.

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.

Causeway Coastal Route

One of the best scenic drives in the world, this route takes in the magnificent Giant’s Causeway, with its 40,000 basalt stone columns that step into the Irish Sea.

Devenish Island, County Fermanagh

Devenish Island is famous for its perfect 12th-century round tower and Carrickfergus Castle.

Down 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.

Fermanagh Lakes, County Fermanagh

These pretty lakes offer excellent watersports, great fishing and sublime scenery.

Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim

Giant’s Causeway is quite simply a mind-blowing formation of 15,000-year-old basalt columns. It looks like nowhere else on earth and is a World Heritage Site.

Glens of Antrim, County Antrim

Outstandingly beautiful, the Glens of Antrim are completely unspoiled, with a landscape dominated by a high plateau cut by deep glens that sweep eastward to the sea.

Londonderry City Walls

Stretching 1.5km around the city, take in the views over the glistening River Foyle, immerse yourself in history by peering round the ancient canons and get your bearings with a bird’s eye view over the cityscape.

Mountains of Mourne, County Down

Wild, remote and famous for their granite tors and sea views, the Mourne Mountains are amongst Ireland's tallest and visually stunning.

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.

Mount Stewart House, Newtownards, Co Down

The glorious gardens at Mount Stewart House were only planted in the 1920s, but despite their relative youth they’ve recently been nominated for World Heritage Site status.

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.

Rathlin Island, County Antrim

Sample island life at its most wild and beautiful. Rathlin is a unique spot of extraordinary ecological value and social interest.

Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone and County Londonderry

Threaded by streams and small roads, the Sperrins are bounded by the towns of Strabane, Dungiven, Magherafelt and Newtownstewart.

St Patrick Centre, County Down

The Centre in Downpatrick houses the first permanent exhibition to tell the story of Ireland's patron saint.

Strangford Lough, County Down

Located on Ireland's northeast coast, Strangford Lough is an area of splendid natural beauty – the perfect setting for a magical holiday.

The Tower Museum, Londonderry

This award-winning museum tells the story of Londonderry from its geological formation to the present day.

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.

Ulster Museum, County Antrim

The Ulster Museum contains Northern Ireland’s expansive collection of art, archeology and natural science, as well as changing exhibitions.

Whitepark Bay, County Antrim

Whitepark is a stunning bay on the north coast of County Antrim with dramatic coastal views.