Northern Ireland Visitor Guide Discovernorthernireland.Com
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Northern Ireland Visitor Guide discovernorthernireland.com The variety of our small country is amazing – from rolling landscapes and hazy mountains, intriguing towns and villages to some of the most vibrant, cultural and history-rich cities. Contents Map of Tyrone & Sperrins 18 Find a place to stay 42 Northern Ireland 02 Fermanagh Lakelands 22 Information On The Go 46 Welcoming You 04 (Networked Visitor Armagh 26 Information Centres) Belfast City & Greater Belfast 06 Mourne Mountains 30 Travel Information 48 Causeway Coast & Glens 10 Strangford Lough 34 Derry~Londonderry 14 Lough Neagh & its Waterways 38 CONTENTS County Fermanagh Fermanagh County Walking at Lough Navar Forest, Forest, at Lough Navar Walking 01 2014 02 distance BELFAST between 103 DUBLIN 165 40 80 ARMAGH towns 65 123 262 158 234 CORK 405 253 374 miles 83 108 52 214 ENNISKILLEN 133 173 83 342 kilometres 23 126 64 284 106 LARNE Y 37 202 102 454 170 10 94 31 253 74 36 LISBURN 16 150 50 390 118 57 73 140 70 275 61 72 72 LONDONDERR 117 230 112 440 98 115 115 31 86 40 244 92 54 26 99 NEWCASTLE 49 138 64 390 147 86 42 158 38 66 18 224 70 61 29 88 27 NEWRY 61 106 29 358 112 98 44 141 43 68 110 36 241 27 73 59 34 78 54 OMAGH 109 176 58 386 43 117 94 54 125 86 61 160 66 294 97 54 62 39 92 99 70 PORTRUSH 98 256 106 470 155 86 99 62 147 158 112 202 98 180 128 206 225 193 242 191 163 213 258 ROSSLARE 323 157 288 205 330 360 308 387 306 261 341 413 211 132 188 77 168 234 202 221 206 178 203 243 140 SHANNON 338 211 301 123 269 374 323 354 330 285 325 389 224 125 133 93 208 42 148 116 84 133 111 68 120 198 136 SLIGO 200 213 149 333 67 237 185 134 213 178 109 192 317 219 = = = = Sperrins Driving Routes = Visitor Information Centres = Seasonal Visitor Information Centres 2014 Map for illustration purposes only © Tourism Northern Ireland 2015 03 discovernorthernireland.com Welcoming you If ever there was a time to experience Northern Ireland, then this is it! Come join us and experience it all. We’ve no doubt that when you have visited – you will want to return. Here’s a taster of what makes Northern Ireland so special. The Legend of Titanic The Giant’s Causeway & Only in Belfast can you follow Titanic’s remarkable Causeway Coastal Route journey from the drawing board to the slipways, or stand on the vast floor of the dock where she The Giant’s Causeway is a spectacular natural attraction and was fitted out – her last footprint on land. Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the world-class visitor centre. Are the basalt columns the work of Learn more: Page 6 giant, Finn McCool or Mother Nature? You decide. Explore the full www.discovernorthernireland. com/titanic Causeway Coastal Route, a road trip recognised as one of the Top 5 drives in the world. Its many attractions include The Gobbins, an exhilarating coastal path first enjoyed by the Edwardians and recently reimagined for the 21st century. Learn more: Page 10 www.discovernorthernireland. com/causeway Images: (top left) Benone Beach, County Londonderry, (bottom left) Titanic Belfast, Belfast, (bottom right) The Gobbins, County Antrim. 04 Literature & Theatre Northern Ireland is home to Nobel Laureates and award-winning playwrights. Tour Heaney country in Magherafelt and gain an insight into the landscape that inspired the late, world-renowned poet Seamus Heaney. Enjoy a new play by local writers including Marie Jones and Owen McCafferty, classic works from internationally-acclaimed Made for Golf Brian Friel, or touring productions at TV & Film Northern Ireland is made for golf and our world-class theatre venues including the Many locations across Northern Ireland have home-grown talent in Darren Clarke, Graeme MAC in Belfast. Maybe even take in one of our been used in TV & Film productions, McDowell and Rory McIlroy is testament to this. excellent literary festivals or summer schools. showcasing our wonderful natural landscapes It really is the playground of champions. Perfect Learn more: and hosting global production companies. your technique on the superb world-class links www.discovernorthernireland.com/literature Northern Ireland is home to world-famous of Royal Portrush and Royal County Down names – such as Liam Neeson, Jamie Dornan, (which played host to the Irish Open in 2012 and Fabulous Food Michelle Fairely, Ian McElhinney, James 2015 respectively), consistently ranked in the Nestbitt, Conleith Hill and Bronagh Gallagher world’s top 20 courses or hone your skills on a Northern Ireland is a great destination for – as well as playing a temporary home to diverse range of parkland and seaside courses. lovers of good food and drink. From sea-front international actors whilst filming here. Various We have over 90 great courses to choose from. restaurants along the Causeway Coastal Route productions have been filmed in Belfast Don’t miss the Irish Open’s first visit to Lough to seafood bars at the foot of the Mourne including BBC’s ‘The Fall’, ‘Good Vibrations’ Mountains, contemporary city restaurants, Erne Resort in County Fermanagh in 2017. and BAFTA-awarded short film ‘Boogalaoo and and hearty pub grub in beautiful rural spots. Learn more: Graham’. Oscar-winning short film ‘The Shore’ The quality and authenticity of our local www.discovernorthernireland .com/golf was filmed in Killough, County Down. ‘Game of produce is undeniable too – with a number Thrones®’ features many stunning Northern of recent world-wide accolades. Visit in 2016 Ireland locations – the perfect setting for the Historical during Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and epic story, with its rugged coastlines, historic Northern Ireland Drink, with lots of great foodie events plus castles and breath-taking scenery. Experience new trails and experiences. ‘Game of Thrones®’ here with self-guided and Whether it’s Saint Patrick and Christian Learn more: guided location tours, immersive experiences, Heritage, RMS Titanic or our historic cities – www.discovernorthernireland .com/food replica costumes, themed menus and there’s something for everyone. Our 92-mile interactive adventures! Saint Patrick’s Trail allows you to follow Patrick’s footsteps and his legacy. Belfast has an An Adventure Learn more: impressive industrial heritage, not least its www.discovernorthernireland.com/nifilm shipbuilding. Then there is Londonderry Playground www.discovernorthernireland.com/ (also known as Derry), a city with an eventful We have activities for all skills and preferences. gameofthrones 1,400 year history and 400-year-old city walls Paddle along canoe trails, surf or body board on among the best preserved in Europe. Join us in waves coming from the roaring North Atlantic September during European Heritage Open or head to the Mourne Mountains, which you Days, when our wonderful historic sites throw can walk, climb, mountain bike, horse-ride in open their doors to the public – for free. the foothills or even experience through the Learn more: adrenaline-pumping world of wet bouldering www.discovernorthernireland .com/history at Bloody Bridge. Fermanagh is perfect for www.discovernorthernireland .com/ehod cruising, canoeing and all things water-based. Multi-activity centres are a great way to pack in several activities in a day and try something Unmissable Music new – caving, sailing, parachuting or white Love music? Then check out a scene that is water kayaking. Less extreme, cycling is one of vibrant, exciting and cutting edge. Traditional the best ways to take in idyllic areas such as the sessions in local pubs, global superstars in Sperrins, with off-road family routes to more concert, the next big thing in a local rock venue challenging mountain bike trails. Mountain Biking – or great festivals in wonderful settings – you’ll Learn more: see it all in Northern Ireland. Unearth the rich www.discovernorthernireland.com/activities Embrace the Mud music heritage that attracted MTV to stage the www.discovernorthernireland .com/adventure Widely regarded as one of the world’s fastest EMA here or take a musical bus tour of Belfast growing adventure activities, mountain biking and see the city that influenced Van Morrison, has well and truly landed in Northern Ireland. Snow Patrol, Ruby Murray and many more. Genealogy – We have over 100km of official purpose-built Learn more: Trace Your Roots trails, with four new trail centres opened in 2013 www.discovernorthernireland .com/music at Rostrevor, Davagh Forest, Castlewellan and Northern Ireland’s rich migration history has Barnetts Demense (outside Belfast). These Glorious Gardens created a diverse population and culture at give enthusiasts additional cross-country and home and an extended family the world-over, downhill routes making Northern Ireland a & Houses with millions of people boasting a direct family must visit mountain bike destination! Come connection to the region. Visit Northern Ireland We aren’t afraid of a bit of rain here – it’s what and enjoy the full beauty of our landscape – in search of your roots or retrace the footsteps makes our gardens grow – and we have plenty two wheels and endless possibilities! of your ancestors and gain a deeper insight of exciting locations to choose from. There are Learn more: into your own family history. grand gardens, walled gardens, woodland www.discovernorthernireland.com/ gardens – even Japanese gardens. The Antrim Learn more: mountainbiking Garden Trail includes a mix of public and www.discovernorthernireland.com/ancestry private gardens. Learn more: www.discovernorthernireland .com/gardens Images: (top left) Northern Ireland’s Golfing Giants – Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke. © Press Eye Ltd.