navigating northern ireland
The South tends to be where tourists head, but the North has a charm of its own. Quaint villages, historical spots, rugged coastal terrains built by giants, and of course more green fields as far as the eye can see. It’s worth a trip I promise and I thought' I’d share some of my top picks incase you did fancy crossing the Irish sea.
My top four picks for visiting the North of Ireland:
1. Of course number one has got to be the visually magnificent Giant’s Causeway on the North shore.
There is so much to do and see on the North coast but this has got to be Northern Ireland’s greatest gem. It was adopted by the National Trust and is now quite pricey (if you want to avoid the charges you can still visit the causeway but you must park elsewhere and swerve the on site museum). There is a bus which drives up and down the large hill between the visitor’s centre and the stones (for a small fee) if you aren’t able to walk far. Pack your camera and a picnic because it offers the perfect photo opportunity - and be sure to walk along the coastal path to gape at the Giant’s ‘organ pipes’. On a sunny day you might even be able to spy Scotland across the Irish sea.
Once you have worked up an appetite, head back to ‘The Nook’ for some lunch. They serve a delicious menu of Irish inspired favourites, in an historic listed building which was once an old schoolhouse.
If you aren’t done sightseeing for the day, hop in the car and drive along the coast to the ‘Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge’ (another National Trust site erected by salmon fishermen in the late 1700’s.) Finish by heading into Portrush for some of Maud’s ice cream, a game on the penny slots at ‘Barry’s Amusements’ and a tour of the ‘Bushmill’s Distillery’.
2. Visit the quaint village of Hillsborough.
This is where the Queen comes to stay when she visits Northern Ireland and I think that says it all really… if it is good enough for the Queen…!
I’d start by booking a morning tour of ‘Hillsborough Castle’ - they offer a guided tour of the royal rooms and then afterwards you are free to wander around the beautiful stately gardens. The tours are really interesting and often the groups are small, and very engaging. When you begin to feel peckish, head to ‘The Plough’ for a pint of Guinness and ‘The Hillside’ for a spot of lunch. Two very attractive little pubs in the village.
Once you have filled your belly, finish off by going for a walk around ‘Hillsborough Forest Park’ (there is a path which meanders all around the lake) and climb the 17th century ancient fort there. That should help you work off the delicious feed you’ve eaten at the Hillside pub… or at least try to!
3. Take a stroll around Lough Neagh.
As the largest body of freshwater in Europe - this lake boasts plenty of spots to cycle, walk or simply meander around at your own pace taking in the views.
You could head to the ‘Oxford Island Nature Reserve’, where you can find the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Loughside café for a spot of lunch, and activities for little ones. Alternatively you could head to ‘Rea’s Wood’ and wander along a different section of Lough Neagh’s shoreline, with Antrim Marina close by to grab a bite to eat.
If you go to the lough in the summer, you might even be able to pack a picnic to eat on one of the many picnic benches - just watch out for the pesky midges by the open water!
4. Explore Belfast.
Catch the train to Great Victoria street station so that in true Irish spirit you can enjoy a pint of Guinness or two. Across the road from the station is ‘The Crown Liquor Saloon’ - which dates back to the mid 1800’s. Head straight upstairs for some brunch to set you up for the day. They offer traditional Irish stew or steak and Guinness pie (both of which I sampled before becoming vegetarian).
Once you’re full to the brim, head off to purchase a Belfast City Sightseeing bus ticket from one of the many ticket holders grabbing tourists at Castle Place. (You can often wrangle a good deal - so get your bartering hat on). The big red bus is great for hopping on and hopping off as you wish whilst listening to fun facts about the city as you drive along, and allows you to safely photograph and appreciate the magnificent peace walls and murals around Belfast.
I’d recommend hopping off at the Stormont Estate to wander around the gardens and take some photographs, and again at the Titanic Visitor Attraction. Permit yourself some time to visit the Titanic museum, wander along the historic slipway where the Titanic was built, and tour the dock and pump house, before hopping back on the next red bus.
If you feel like another drink before you head back home - Filthy McNastys has a great beer garden (weather permitting) and there are plenty of nice bars in the Cathedral Quarter.
