Northern Ireland Having come out of 35 years of strife and war, Northern Ireland is flourishing like never before. New bars and restaurants are opening up all the time; shopping centers are to be found not only in the cities, and Lonely Planet readers have just voted its wonderful coast line the second most beautiful coastal route in the world! (No. 1 being the Great Ocean Route in Australia).
With only 1.7 million inhabitants and a capital city of just under 300 000, it is amazing what change has been achieved in just a few years. Whilst tourism now is a growth industry, the country is still relatively unspoiled, and most attractions can be visited without having to pay an entrance fee.
In Belfast alone, this includes the wonderful City Hall; Queen’s university; the Botanic Garden, Palm house and tropical ravine; the Ulster museum; Titanic Quarter and the then largest dry dock in the world, the Thompson dock.
Likewise you can visit the main cathedrals free of charge or walk along the roads learning about history and politics from the political wall murals, or follow the river walk along the Lagan and marvel at the great variety of public art; the choice is yours.
Out of the capital the coastal route is well worth a visit – and a stay if you have the time! See the romantic Glens of Antrim with the raised beach that is now coastal road. Visit the Carrick-A-Reed rope bridge where the salmon fishers bring in their catch. Visit Rathlin Island and the largest puffin colony on the British Isles.
See how whiskey is produced in Bushmills, the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Walk the Giant’s Causeway and listen to the mythology surrounding these famous octagonal stones. Visit Derry, the walled city or Enniskillen, the island town. Walk the Sperrins, the Mourne Mountains, or the Ulster Way – the choice is yours.
For professional tourist guiding services, see www.privateguidesineurope.com/ireland or http://www.bluebadgeireland.com/.
For high class self-catering accommodation with great sea views only half an hour north of Belfast click here or Cottage Holidays.
Anna Eggert, Seabreeze©
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