Meet the Game of Thrones® Direwolves! RTE Presenter Ryan Tubridy Takes a Trip to the North Fantastic Places to Stay and Visit
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Meet the Game of Thrones® direwolves! RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy takes a trip to the North Fantastic places to stay and visit on your autumn/winter break Murlough Beach, situated near the Mourne Mountains, Co Down 2 | NORTHERN IRELAND - Say Hello to More Derry Halloween Contents Castle Coole, Co Fermanagh 04 Spending 48 hours in Belfast We share some of the main highlights to experience in Northern Ireland’s unique capital 06 The history and charm of Northern Ireland From museums and art exhibitions to book stores and the homeplace of famous poet Seamus Heaney, there’s an enriching experience for everyone & Clayton Hotel Belfast: Where every moment matters With an ideal location in the centre of Belfast City, Clayton Hotel is the perfect base for a relaxing break away 08 Kings in the North Break away to Clodagh Dooley speaks to Ross Mulhall, owner of Northern Inuit’s Odin and Thor, who starred as the direwolves in Game of Thrones® Sir Thomas and Lady & Northern Ireland Dixon Park, Belfast A ferry well-kept secret Enjoy the breathtaking landscape There are many reasons why surrounding Portaferry Hotel, Co Down Titanic Belfast you should visit Northern 09 A perfect destination rooted in history Whether you desire a night in luxurious Ireland at least once in surroundings, a fun-filled family getaway, a round your life - here are five of golf or the perfect location to plan your special day, The Dark Hedges Estate is where it all begins reasons why this autumn 10 Winter is here or winter is the right time We profile some of the incredible Game of Thrones® experiences in Northern Ireland which will satisfy any fan of the show Follow the crowd The number of people visiting the North from & the Republic of Ireland has jumped in the past 3 reasons to stay at Westville Hotel this autumn year, so why should you follow suit? Get more from your autumn break in The “Tourism Northern Ireland has welcomed Fermanagh Lakelands and enjoy a stay at the the Central Statistics Office data (released family-owned 4-Star boutique Westville Hotel on 22nd June) which shows a 13pc growth in overnight trips from Republic of Ireland 12 Take a walk in the North between January and March 2017, with signif- When you are visiting Northern Ireland, make sure icant increases in revenue driven by high- to experience some of the incredible walkways er-spending business and holiday visitors,” which truly make it a walker’s paradise says Fiona Cunningham, ROI Market Manager & at Tourism NI. Enniskillen Castle - a rich and varied heritage “Within these figures, pure holiday trips in- Ballintoy, this route will bring you to many of To get into the spooky spirit, families can Stop by and discover the rich history of creased by 36pc. In the same period (January Northern Ireland’s sandy beaches, gorse-cov- join in on the four-day celebration of the Derry Enniskillen Castle in Co Fermanagh to March 2017), trips taken by UK and over- ered valleys and clifftop paths. Hallowe’en Festival (28th October-31st Octo- seas residents increased by 8pc in the same ber), which is the biggest Halloween event in 13 Awe-inspiring sights at Marble period in 2016, with holiday trips increasing Right next door Europe. And, you might make it to the North Arch Caves Geopark by 23pc.” With no airport security, passports or flights just in time for the end of Oktoberfest Belfast Fiona says that value for money coupled involved, getting to the North couldn’t be any (Friday, 20th October and Saturday, 21st Exciting tours for the whole family this autumn with world-class attractions such as Titanic easier and you don’t need to book a week or October) at King’s Hall on the Lisbon Road. Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway and the ‘Game of two away. Spending just a weekend there is For more upcoming events to watch out for in 14 Destination Derry Thrones’ phenomenon right on their doorstep enough time to tour around and come back Northern Ireland this autumn/winter, turn to We share an itinerary for your getaway to Derry means that more Republic of Ireland visitors home feeling refreshed and inspired. page 16. are exploring Northern Ireland, and coming And, good news for those who plan on using 15 Good enough to eat back for more. public transport to get around the North when New experiences From cookery schools to catching fish, “When Sterling is weak, visitor attractions they visit. A new customer satisfaction survey This September, Seamus Heaney Home- here we give you a taste of Northern and hotels in Northern Ireland see a rise in released by Translink shows that the public Place in Co Derry has just celebrated its first Ireland’s greatest food experiences visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Value for are on board when it comes to Northern anniversary, welcoming over 40,000 local & money is a key motivator for Republic of Ire- Ireland’s bus and rail services. Public percep- and international visitors through its doors. Top off your Fermanagh stay at Mahon’s land residents. The favourable exchange rates tion of the Metro service has risen to 75.9pc But alongside regular popular attractions, Situated in the centre of The Fermanagh Lakeland, have helped to entice more visitors from this up from 69.1pc last year, while Ulsterbus saw many new ones have opened around Northern Irvinestown Mahon’s Hotel is an ideal break key market and encouraged them to spend an increase of 7pc in the number of customers Ireland this year. more when holidaying in Northern Ireland.” that felt it offered value for money. NI Rail- “Everybody knows by now that there are 16 Something for the weekend ways also saw its customer performance over 25 breathtaking filming locations Make the most of your break away to Northern Atmospheric adventure index rise from 77.6pc up to 82pc. for HBO’s Game of Thrones® to Ireland by planning it around one of the excellent Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons explore, but a new temporary events happening this autumn and winter to get out and about, and take in the magnif- An eventful trip installation, Game of Thrones® icent orange and brown colour palette across For those with a love of all Season 7 Tapestry is in the 18 Off the beaten track the usually green landscape. From Glenariff things cultural and creative, Ulster Museum,” says Fiona. In Northern Ireland, there are plenty of unique Park in Co Antrim to Crawfordsburn Country there is a variety of events “The 80-metre long tapestry experiences just waiting to be seen. Here Park in Co Down, there is a diverse range of taking place in Northern Ire- weaves the story so far from picture-perfect woodland walks to explore. land this autumn. Running seasons 1-6, and it is free for are 10 of the most exciting hidden gems RTE presenter and broadcaster until 28th October, fans to see. & Ryan Tubridy, who recently enjoyed the eclectic Belfast “Tourism NI are encour- Say hello to more and explore a visit to Titanic Belfast, was also International aging visitors to ‘Say Hello to Omagh and The Sperrins impressed with the natural Arts Festival has More’ in Northern Ireland – Why the region is the perfect beauty of Fermanagh: “Fer- a host of exhi- more time for you, more special base for an autumn break managh was a joy to visit and bitions, theatre moments and more unique in particular getting out on performances, experiences. A BeCreative Editorial Production the Erne Water Taxi. The lake talks and “There’s also the www.becreative.ie was like a mirror, the sights music In this supplement, you will find opening of new hotels Editor: Clodagh Dooley and sounds such as father shows to suggested itineraries, ideas and and many more on Deputy Editor: Shauna McCrudden and son fishing on the banks, choose inspiration for your Northern Ireland the horizon, which Contributor: Brendan O’Donohue people out water-skiing and a from. The means Northern Ire- INM Sales: Carol McMenamin (048) 43 75 1912 break. For more information and ideas, rowing club going through their MAC also land offers excellent Design: Susan McClean, check out www.discoverni.com where you manoeuvres. And this was by way of has a variety choice, value for INM Design Studio, Belfast getting to the restaurant for dinner! of comedy, will find activities, culture, restaurants and money and some- Repro: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) It is a great place to switch off and Fiona Cunningham theatre, exhibi- accommodation ideas to suit all ages and tastes thing a little bit dif- Limited, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 enjoy the natural beauty of the area.” with Ryan Tubridy tions and dance ferent. Be prepared Not to forget, the Causeway Coastal Route productions on from Oc- for a warm welcome is known as one of the world’s best road trips, tober right through to the and book as early as taking its pilgrims around the North-East new year, including family possible to get the best coast. From Belfast to Slemish, Carnlough to show, Hansel and Gretel. deals and availability.” Images throughout the supplement courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland 4 | NORTHERN IRELAND - Say Hello to More Say Hello to More - NORTHERN IRELAND | 5 Writer’s Square Belfast City Hall Explore Titanic Belfast Visit CS Lewis Square 48 hours Shop ‘til you drop at Victoria Square in Belfast When booking a city break, it’s always best to plan ahead and have a ‘must-see’ list Conveniently, the area is also the heart of Bel- creator CS Lewis.