Northern Ireland Destination Guide

Overview of Northern Ireland

Scrabo Tower, County Down
Photo credit: Guliolopez

Once 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 the myths and legends of a mysterious and heroic past. Northern Ireland's appeal encompasses beautiful scenery, historic forts and castles, and a rich legacy of Celtic Christianity, as well as the Ulster people themselves who are welcoming and genuine, with a lively sense of humour. A major draw is the small size of the country; its sights are all just a short, scenic drive from each other along mostly rural roads whose only traffic jams are caused by flocks of sheep and cattle crossings.

To the southeast lie some of Ireland's loveliest landscapes in the Kingdoms of Down, a region recognised worldwide as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. County Down 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 UNESCO 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 popularly home to poets and storytellers, which hosts plenty of live 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 many outdoor activities, while in the towns and villages, visitors will undoubtedly be invited to join in the craicor good fun, centred on a traditional Irish music session and a pint or two of the black stuff.

Key Facts

Language:: English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.
Passport/Visa:: If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
Currency:: The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
Electricity:: The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.

Travel Advisories

Travel to Northern Ireland

Climate

Ireland has a temperate oceanic climate, with weather that is generally mild, wet and changeable. Northern Ireland enjoys warm summers and mild winters, warmed up all year by the North Atlantic Current. Extreme heat and extreme cold are both rare. Inland areas tend to be colder in winter and warmer in summer than the coast. Northern Ireland is cloudier and cooler than England on average, because of the hilly nature of the terrain and the proximity to the Atlantic. July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging around 64ºF (18ºC). The highest temperatures occur inland and rainfall is more frequent in the mountains of Sperrin, Antrim, and Mourne, as is snow. Rain is possible at any time of year, with December and January being the wettest months.

Most travellers visit Northern Ireland between May and September, when it is warmest. The summer months of June to August are the most popular. Winter, between November and February, is generally avoided because it is the wettest as well as the coldest time of year. Late spring and early autumn - May and September - are good times to visit for those travelling on a budget as the weather is still pleasant but prices tend to drop outside of the peak season.

Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK.

Customs in United Kingdom

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.

Duty Free in United Kingdom

Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume. The EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) continues to apply to travel between Northern Ireland, EU Member States and third countries.

Doing Business in United Kingdom

The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to 'read between the lines' and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person's ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn't be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.

Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it's worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.

Communication in United Kingdom

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.

Tipping in United Kingdom

Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn't expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.

Passport/Visa Note

If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:: US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.
Entry requirements for Canadians:: Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
Entry requirements for Australians:: Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:: Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:: New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 6 months.
Entry requirements for South Africans:: South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

Currency

The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.

Exchange rate for 1 GBP - U.K. Pound Sterling
0.00 BMD Bermudan Dollar	1.17 EUR Euro	1.26 USD U.S. Dollar	192.05 JPY Japanese Yen	1.72 CAD Canadian Dollar	1.14 CHF Swiss Franc
1.90 AUD Australian Dollar	49.45 UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia	557.22 KZT Kazakhstani Tenge	116,833.28 LBP Lebanese Pound	6.10 LYD Libyan Dinar	8.61 BOB Bolivian Boliviano
0.00 NPR Nepalese Rupee	0.00 OMR Omani Rial	0.00 QAR Qatari Rial	1.70 SGD Singapore Dollar	13.59 SEK Swedish Krona	0.00 TTD Trinidad Tobago Dollar
0.00 VEF Venezuelan Bolivar	72.95 DOP Dominican Peso	0.00 HRK Croatian Kuna	21.28 MXN Mexican Peso	766.38 XOF West African CFA Franc	0.00 PGK Papua New Guinean kina
0.00 BSD Bahamian Dollar	0.00 FJD Fiji Dollar	0.00 HNL Honduran Lempira	168.04 DZD Algerian Dinar	0.00 MMK Myanma Kyat	0.00 BWP Botswana Pula
4.67 PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol	1,177.99 CLP Chilean Peso	485.58 AMD Armenia Dram	29.24 CZK Czech Koruna	22.13 MDL Moldova Lei	175.60 ISK Icelandic Krona
15,794.18 UZS Uzbekistan Sum	4.67 ILS Israeli New Sheqel	0.89 JOD Jordanian Dinar	0.00 KWD Kuwaiti Dinar	47.89 UYU Uruguayan Peso	0.00 MUR Mauritian Rupee
0.00 NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba	13.66 NOK Norwegian Krone	5.06 PLN Polish Zloty	4.71 SAR Saudi Riyal	0.00 LKR Sri Lanka Rupee	46.18 THB Thai Baht
4.60 AED U.A.E Dirham	6.39 BRL Brazilian Real	5.81 RON Romanian New Leu	9.81 HKD Hong Kong Dollar	766.38 XAF Central African CFA Franc	31,890.75 VND Vietnamese Dong
1,102.57 ARS Argentine Peso	0.00 XCD East Caribbean Dollar	0.00 GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal	12.63 MAD Moroccan Dirham	0.00 BHD Bahrain Dinar	1.26 PAB Panamanian Balboa
2.13 AZN Azerbaijan Manat	4,920.62 COP Colombian Peso	110.99 KGS Kyrgyzstan Som	454.41 HUF Hungarian Forint	13.67 TJS Tajikistan Ruble	20,176.67 IDR Indonesian Rupiah
60.19 EGP Egyptian Pound	1,705.70 KRW South Korean Won	9,359.87 PYG Paraguayan Guaraní	5.95 MYR Malaysian Ringgit	638.07 CRC Costa Rican Colón	2.09 NZD New Zealand Dollar
348.80 PKR Pakistani Rupee	114.72 RUB Russian Rouble	23.23 ZAR South African Rand	3.93 TND Tunisian Dinar	0.00 BBD Barbadian Dollar	2.29 BGN Bulgarian Lev
40.59 TRY Turkish Lira	71.91 PHP Philippine Peso	40.56 TWD New Taiwan Dollar	1,462.18 NGN Nigerian Naira	0.00 XPF CFP Franc	0.00 GHS Ghanaian Cedi
0.00 JMD Jamaican Dollar	0.00 ANG Neth. Antillean Guilder	0.00 BND Brunei Dollar	136.70 RSD Serbian Dinar	9.09 CNY Chinese Yuan	8.71 DKK Danish Krone
4.38 TMT New Turkmenistan Manat	104.71 INR Indian Rupee

Exchange Rate for
U.S. Dollar to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 USD = 0.80 GBP

Exchange Rate for
Euro to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 EUR = 0.86 GBP

Exchange Rate for
Canadian Dollar to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 CAD = 0.58 GBP

Exchange Rate for
Australian Dollar to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 AUD = 0.53 GBP

Exchange Rate for
New Zealand Dollar to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 NZD = 0.48 GBP

Exchange Rate for
South African Rand to U.K. Pound Sterling

1 ZAR = 0.04 GBP

Airports in Northern Ireland

Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Belfast International Airport
http://www.belfastairport.com

Location: Belfast The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) northwest of Belfast.

Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9448 4848.

Getting to the city: The Airport Express operates between the airport and the city centre every 15 minutes from outside the terminal building, 24 hours a day. The International Airport Taxi Company offer taxis outside the right hand door of the airport exit lobby with a list of fares displayed in the exit hall of the terminal.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National and can be found in the Arrivals hall.

Airport Taxis: International Airport Taxi Company offer taxis outside the right hand door of the airport exit lobby with a list of fares displayed in the exit hall of the terminal. The journey takes around 25 minutes.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include bureaux de changes, ATMs, WiFi, duty-free shopping, a travel agent, a business lounge, an information desk, and a variety of shops and restaurants. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for.

Parking: There are four parking options at Belfast International Airport: short-stay parking, the main car park, long-stay parking, and park and fly.

Departure Tax: None. 2762.7

Belfast City Airport (BHD)
George Best Belfast City Airport
http://www.belfastcityairport.com

Location: Belfast The airport is situated five miles (8km) east of Belfast.

Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9093 9093.

Getting to the city: Approved taxis are available outside the terminal building. The Airport Express 600 bus service departs every 30 minutes from the airport terminal to the Belfast Europa Bus Centre in the heart of the city.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt.

Airport Taxis:

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, bureau de change, wireless Internet, restaurants, and shops. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for.

Parking: Short-term and long-term parking is available at the airport.

Departure Tax: None.

Belfast

The fortunes of Belfast have risen and fallen dramatically over time. It began as a Bronze Age settlement; grew hugely in power as well as size during the Industrial Revolution; suffered extensive World War II bombings; and has famously been a hotspot in the massive civil conflict that has split Ireland. Today, the capital of Northern Ireland is a thriving city that has regained some of its old charm and industry, and has begun to lure a stream of curious travellers. City breaks in Belfast are becoming increasingly popular, with a variety of low-cost European carriers offering cheap flights to Northern Ireland's capital.

Belfast is situated near the mouth of the River Lagan, and blossomed in the 17th century with an influx of English and Scottish settlers. The port city grew in prominence during the Industrial Revolution, with booming linen, rope-making, and shipbuilding industries. The ill-fated Titanic was built here in the Harland and Wolff shipyards, and today Belfast still boasts the world's biggest dry dock, as well as a restored Waterfront Complex that houses chic restaurants, shops, and ubiquitous Irish pubs.

Much of the city's architectural heritage was destroyed during repeated bombings in World War II, as well as during The Troubles: a period of civil conflict between Roman Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists that raged from 1969 until the late 1990s. Several exquisite Victorian and Edwardian buildings still remain and have been filled with trendy bars, boutiques, galleries, museums, and restaurants in an attempt to regenerate the city's image. Evidence of The Troubles can still be seen in the many murals that line Falls Road and Shankill Road, and the Europa Hotel has become famous as one of the most-bombed buildings in Europe, having being targeted no less than 33 times.

Belfast is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but its fascinating history, ongoing struggles, numerous attractions, and, above all, the warmth and acerbic wit of its inhabitants, make it an interesting stop on any tour of the United Kingdom. It also serves as an excellent base from which to explore the many natural wonders of Northern Ireland.

Climate in Belfast

Typical of Ireland as a whole, Belfast has a temperate climate, with a narrow range of fairly mild temperatures and plenty of rainfall all year. In summer, between June and August, average temperatures range between 49F (9C) and 66F (19C). Although rain is possible at any time of year, the summer months are slightly less rainy than the rest of the year. June is the driest and the sunniest month and July is generally the warmest. In winter, between December and February, average temperatures range between 37F (3C) and 46F (8C). November, December and January are the wettest months. The city seldom gets snow, with an average of less than 10 snowy days a year.

The best time to visit Belfast is between April and August, when the city is least wet and overcast. October is a good month to visit for culture vultures, as this is when the Belfast Festival (the second biggest arts festival in the UK behind Edinburgh) is held. Around the 12 July every year some Protestant marches and parades are held in Belfast; the marches are usually peaceful nowadays, but it is still a tense and potentially violent period in the city and travellers tend to avoid it.

Sightseeing in Belfast

Belfast is a great place for travellers to enjoy sightseeing, as the layout of the city and its public transport make it easy for visitors to get from the centre of Belfast to the surrounding suburbs within 20 minutes, even during rush-hour. Moreover, many of Northern Ireland's most famous and worthwhile sightseeing attractions are just a short drive outside of the city.

Visitors can take a trip to City Hall and admire the turn-of-the-century British architecture and the memorial to the victims of the ill-fated Titanic (which was built in Belfast), and a statue of Queen Victoria. They can also head to the trendy Cathedral Quarter, where the beautiful St Anne's Cathedral provides a wonderful backdrop for the small shops, boutiques, galleries and eateries lining the streets around it, and take in the magnificent architecture in the area that is marketed as Belfast's 'cultural' district.

For a more relaxing day of sightseeing, travellers can visit the Botanic Gardens with a book and a packed lunch, and then head to Falls Road or Shankill to see some of the world's finest political murals. Animal lovers should visit the Belfast Zoo to meet the famous prairie dogs that run free around the zoo's grounds as well as many other exotic and endangered animals; and opera lovers will be thrilled at the opportunity to visit the Grand Opera House for a tour or a performance.

Belfast Attractions

Cathedral Quarter

The Orb at the Cathedral Quater Arts Festival
Photo credit: Recycled Alien

Once the city's centre for trade and its warehouse district, the Cathedral Quarter is now the heart of Belfast's cultural and tourist hub. The district is named for St Anne's Cathedral. The cathedral itself is a beautiful Romanesque place of worship, more than a century old, which houses many art works and historical artefacts, and welcomes tourists as well as worshippers of all faiths. Four services are held every day in the cathedral. There are some lovely examples of Victorian and Art Deco architecture in the Cathedral Quarter, as well as several galleries, dedicated performing arts venues, and good restaurants and bars. The area plays host to the Belfast Film Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival annually, as well as a number of other entertaining events and festivals. Popular performance art venues and general gathering spaces in the Cathedral Quarter include Custom House Square (Belfast's largest outdoor venue), Writer's Square, Cotton Court, the Cathedral Gardens, and the recently opened Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC). Given some time, the Quarter could rival Dublin's Temple Bar district for a good time in Ireland. Many tourists choose to find accommodation in the district, particularly those interested nightlife. Another must-see in the trendy Cathedral Quarter is the Crown Liquor Saloon, which is one of the most famous bars in Northern Ireland. 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, having lost none of its old-world charm.

Website: http://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com

Belfast Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum

Belfast Botanic Gardens
Photo credit: www.sxc.hu

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 are a delightful venue for a picnic. Concerts and music festivals are frequently held at the Stranmillis Embankment end of the gardens, with past performances by international stars such as Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Snow Patrol, and U2. Alcohol is technically banned in the park, but it remains a popular meeting place for young people. At the main entrance to the gardens is the fascinating Ulster Museum, which is one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the city. Founded in 1821, the Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits on a range of subjects, with dinosaur exhibitions rubbing shoulders with Egyptian mummies and Irish politics. The museum also houses an excellent art collection. The Ulster Museum has recently been renovated and greatly improved and is a wonderful attraction for people of all ages. There is also a good cafe at the museum.

Website: http://www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-museum/

Belfast Zoo

The Belfast Zoo is packed with animals from all over the world housed in a range of habitats, and offers a fun-filled day out for the whole family to enjoy. The zoo is home to more than a thousand animals covering something like 150 different species. Animals in the zoo include bears, lions, a variety of monkeys, seals, cheetahs, lemurs, snakes, ferrets, kangaroos, wolves, tortoises, tigers, and gorillas. There is a separate bird park, containing many exotic and rare birds. The African animals, including elephants, zebras, meerkats, porcupines, and a large herd of giraffes are very popular with visitors. Another highlight is Rainforest House, a walk-through exhibition containing fruit bats, among other things, in a tropical landscape. 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 a cafe and gift shop at the zoo, as well as picnic tables, a play park for young children, and a farm. There are good walking trails and the Belfast Zoo, located on the side of Cave Hill, even offers some great views over the city. The location on the hill does mean that some areas can be quite steep and perhaps difficult for those with mobility issues.

Website: http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk

St George's Market

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. It is considered one of the best markets in the UK, having won many awards locally and nationally. On Fridays, the Variety Market, as the name suggests, offers a range of different items from antiques to clothes, and is also famous for its fish market. The Variety Market hosts about 250 stalls and visitors can find books, crafts, food and pretty much anything else. The City Food and Craft Market is on Saturdays, and offers the freshest local, international and speciality foods, as well as crafts, flowers, plants, art, pottery and glass and metal work. There is usually live music at the market, so that visitors can shop to the jolly strains of local musicians. The Sunday Market is a mixture of the other two markets, also offering a staggering array of goods. St George's Market also hosts a special Christmas craft market every year during the festive season. The market may also be the best place in Northern Ireland to shop for souvenirs!

Website: https://visitbelfast.com/partners/st-georges-market/

Giant's Ring

The fascinating and mysterious Giant's Ring, in Ballynahatty, 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 2,700 BC (meaning that it predates the Egyptian pyramids!). 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. Similar ancient monuments can be found in Britain and Ireland, but Giant's Ring is one of the finest of its kind, evoking a powerful sense of mystery. There are some glorious walking trails in the area, including the Giant's Ring Path, which takes walkers through the beautiful countryside of Minnowburn and Ballynahatty, beginning in the car park by Minnowburn Beeches. This trail takes about two hours and is a circular route, which will loop back to where visitors left their cars. Giant's Ring is a very short drive from Belfast, and should not be confused with the famous Giant's Causeway.

Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/minnowburn/trails/minnowburn-giants-ring-trail

Ulster American Folk Park

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 hosts regular temporary exhibitions, some of which are fascinating and so popular that they stay up for years, such as the Titanic exhibition, which looks at the Irish immigrants who sailed on the famous ship. The park also hosts a number of events, including popular music festivals such as the Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival. Admission costs increase on days when the park is hosting major events and travellers should check the official website to see what's on during their visit. The park gives visitors a taste of what life was really like for the Irish at home and after making the journey to America over the past three centuries, allowing travellers to stroll through history at their own pace and see the buildings, clothes, and crafts that sustained daily life. As it is an open-air museum weather is a factor and visitors should come prepared when it is raining.

Website: http://www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-american-folk-park/

St Anne's Cathedral

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 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. Although St Anne's is an Anglican cathedral, the church welcomes people of all faiths as well as tourists. There are many historic treasures and works of art housed in the church.

Website: http://www.belfastcathedral.org

Giant's Causeway

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 the handiwork of giants. As visitors walk along the one mile (1.6km) causeway, they will 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. Despite looking like a work of art, the Giant's Causeway is a completely natural landscape. An on-site Visitors' Centre is open every day of the year, and provides some interesting information about the origins and myths surrounding the unique landscape. The Giant's Causeway Visitor's Experience includes a multi-lingual audio guide and greatly enriches the visit to the Causeway, particularly for those travelling with children.

Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway/

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede
Photo credit: Supermac1961

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 boasts about a quarter of a million annual visitors and, despite being quite scary, especially in high winds, has an impeccable safety record. The extreme beauty of the rugged coastline on which it is built makes for a highly worthwhile day trip for visitors to Northern Ireland. Although there is no real danger, a number of tourists have chickened out and refused to cross the bridge again after reaching the far side! If this happens, the only alternative is getting back to the mainland by boat. Although opening times vary, the bridge is almost always open to visitors for at least a few hours every day.

Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carrick-a-rede/

Events in Belfast

Belfast Marathon
Sunday May 03, 2020 (3 May 2020)

Where: From City Hall to Ormeau Park

For more than 30 years, the Belfast City Marathon has attracted thousands of participants and spectators. These days the race, always run on May Day, attracts more than 20,000 participants, and is very well supported by spectators. As well as a full marathon, there is also a walk, wheelchair race, team relay race, and a fun run. Don't miss the pre-marathon Pasta Party at City Hall, where participants can carbo-load and enjoy traditional Irish music and dance. The marathon begins at City Hall and ends at Ormeau Park. There was a brief attempt to change the route some years back, to make it a flatter run, but the change met with huge resistance because the new route by-passed some of the best spectator streets, lessening the party atmosphere of the marathon - the traditional route was quickly reinstated. A glance at the winner's list for the Belfast Marathon reveals the growing internationalism of the event, as the recent winners have hailed as much from Africa and Europe as the UK. The full name of the event is Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon.

http://www.belfastcitymarathon.com

Belfast Film Festival
Wednesday April 01, 2020 to Thursday April 09, 2020 (TBC)

Where: Various

The annual Belfast Film Festival is a must for cinephiles and offers a range of exciting films, a short film competition for up and coming filmmakers, and plenty of sneak previews. The festival showcases the best in local cinema but also choice international films. The organisers aim to be provocative as well as entertaining, determined to make the festival a platform for debate tackling the religious, cultural, and social issues in Northern Ireland and the world.

They are delightfully innovative and creative with their choice of venues, with past screenings taking place on boats, in historic buildings, and even on the Thompson dry dock from which the Titanic departed. A festival pass is available which offers a massive discount and access to all the films on offer. Tickets can be booked online via the official website, where the full programme can also be found. The organisers also screen the odd film during the rest of the year, pairing classics with atmospheric venues. Movie-lovers should check what's showing during their visit.

http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org

Belfast Pride
Sunday July 26, 2020 to Tuesday August 04, 2020 (TBC 2020)

Where: Various

Celebrating the diversity, history, and culture of Northern Ireland's gay and lesbian communities, the annual Belfast Pride festival is a riot of colours and sounds. There is a range of events on offer, from walks to river cruises, talks, photographic exhibitions, parties and shows, all culminating in the festive Pride Parade through the streets of downtown Belfast. Belfast Pride is Ireland's largest gay festival, now attracting about 35,000 people onto the streets of the city to celebrate and support the LGBTQ community.

The Custom House Square is one of the main sites for entertainment and festivities, but Belfast is strewn with venues hosting special events during Pride. A Pride Village has recently been established just opposite the Custom House Square, with lots of fun activities and attractions. The event is careful to strike a good balance between protest and celebration, as the fight for equality for the gay community in Northern Ireland is far from over. Of course, Pride is also a huge party, and every year a fun theme is established, prompting much dressing up. For details on the event check out the official website listed below.

http://www.belfastpride.com

Airports in Belfast

Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Belfast International Airport
http://www.belfastairport.com

Location: Belfast The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) northwest of Belfast.

Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9448 4848.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National and can be found in the Arrivals hall.

Parking: There are four parking options at Belfast International Airport: short-stay parking, the main car park, long-stay parking, and park and fly.

Departure Tax: None. 2762.7

Belfast City Airport (BHD)
George Best Belfast City Airport
http://www.belfastcityairport.com

Location: Belfast The airport is situated five miles (8km) east of Belfast.

Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9093 9093.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt.

Airport Taxis:

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, bureau de change, wireless Internet, restaurants, and shops. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for.

Parking: Short-term and long-term parking is available at the airport.

Departure Tax: None.

Northern Ireland Attractions

Overview

Although Northern Ireland is perhaps best known to travellers for its beautiful rural countryside and pretty coastline, the cities also have charm: industrial Belfast and the 17th-century walled city of Derry are two of the most popular urban destinations in Northern Ireland and are both great travel hubs for tourists. Northern Ireland is delightfully compact, meaning that the distance between sightseeing attractions tends to be small; a rare advantage when looking at the top attractions in a country and trying to plan an itinerary!

Belfast is an interesting city, once one of the major powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution, and a cauldron of political strife for many decades. The city is undergoing a wholesale rejuvenation, centring on the trendy Cathedral Quarter, famous for its performing arts venues and vibrant nightlife. The charming old city of Derry is less than two-hours drive from Belfast, and boasts many museums and historic sites of its own.

Those staying in Belfast can make quick excursions to a number of wonderful sites, including Giant's Causeway, on the scenic Antrim Coast, which is generally lauded as Northern Ireland's top tourist attraction. Whiskey lovers visiting Giant's Causeway should also be sure to detour to the nearby Bushmills Distillery, in the town of Bushmills, which is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. Another gem near Belfast is the mysterious Giant's Ring, a Neolithic henge that many visitors will find fascinating. Lastly, the delightfully scary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which offers splendid views, is also only a short drive from the city.