Belfast
These narrow alleyways running between High St and Ann St were once bustling commercial and residential thoroughfares; Pottinger's Entry, for example, had…
Must-see attractions in Northern Ireland
County Antrim
The skyline to the east of Ballymena is dominated by the distinctive craggy peak of Slemish (438m). The hill is one of many sites in the North associated…
County Down
In a wonderful island setting, the 5th-century Celtic monastic community of Nendrum was built under the guidance of St Mochaoi (St Mahee). Its scant…
Counties Fermanagh & Tyrone
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822–85) led Union forces to victory in the American Civil War and later served as the 18th US president. His maternal grandfather,…
Belfast
At the far end of Queen's Rd is an impressive monument to the days of the great liners – the vast Thompson Dry Dock where the Titanic was fitted out.
County Down
Just south of Bessbrook, and 4km west of Newry, is Derrymore House. The elegant thatched cottage was built in 1776 for Isaac Corry, the Irish MP for Newry…
Glens of Antrim
From the car park beside the beach (follow the golf-club signs), a coastal path leads 1km north to the picturesque ruins of Layd Old Church, with views…
Counties Down & Armagh
This long grassy expanse east of Armagh's centre was a horse-racing, cock-fighting and bull-baiting venue until the 18th century, when Archbishop Robinson…
Belfast
Dedicated to one of Belfast's most famous authors, East Belfast's CS Lewis Square has some impressive public art. Irish artist Maurice Harron has created…
Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum
Belfast
Named for the late Republican activist who envisaged the museum, the collection here contains artefacts, newspaper articles, photos and archives relating…
County Londonderry
This lovely country park, 3km south of Limavady, has walks stretching for 5km either side of the River Roe. The river is famed for its salmon and trout…
Belfast
Rolling meadows, woodland, riverside fields and formal gardens make up this beautiful park, along with a walled garden, a Japanese-style garden, a…
Belfast
The striking marble and stained-glass interior of the Italianate Harbour Commissioner's Office (1854) features art and sculpture inspired by Belfast's…
County Down
The spectacular drystone Mourne Wall marches across the summits of 15 surrounding peaks, including the highest, Slieve Donard (853m). You can walk the 2m…
Belfast
This huge prehistoric earthwork, nearly 200m in diameter, is a circular neolithic ritual complex with a dolmen (known as the Druid's Altar) in the centre…
Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum
County Antrim
The history of Lisburn's once prosperous linen industry is celebrated at this interesting museum, inside the 17th-century Market House. The 'Flax to…
Derry (Londonderry)
Outside the city walls to the southwest is Long Tower Church, Derry’s first post-Reformation Catholic church. Built in 1784 in neo-Renaissance style, it…
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House
County Down
Adults and kids alike will enjoy this oasis in the Seaforde demesne, which is home to an 18th-century walled garden with ornamental flower beds, a hedge…
Belfast
Housed in a red-brick, former Presbyterian church, this Irish language and cultural centre is the focus for West Belfast's community activity. It's a cosy…
County Antrim
There is plenty to see at this interesting museum run by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, an organisation set up to preserve and repair steam…
Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience
County Antrim
Built into the hillside and walled with tall black basalt slabs that mimic the basalt columns of the Causeway, the Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience…
County Down
Castlewellan Forest Park offers gentle walks around the castle grounds, one of the world's largest hedge mazes, the Peace Maze (entry free), and, from…
Belfast
The cylindrical-shaped Odyssey Complex is a huge sporting and entertainment centre on the eastern side of the river at the edge of the Titanic Quarter…
Belfast
Built by Charles Lanyon in 1857–58 to meet the spiritual needs of visiting sailors, this part church, part maritime museum has a pulpit shaped like a ship…
Ballycastle
On a limestone headland jutting out from the basalt cliffs, with stupendous views of Rathlin Island and Scotland, this castle, now ruined, was built in…
Belfast
At the east end of High St is Belfast's very own leaning tower. Erected in 1865 in honour of Queen Victoria's dear departed husband, it is not as…
County Down
This magnificent Greek Revival building, built as a Presbyterian church in 1841, is thought to have been modelled on the ancient temple of Nemesis on the…
Counties Down & Armagh
The Armagh Observatory was founded by Archbishop Robinson in 1789 and is still Ireland's leading astronomical-research institute. The observatory building…
County Down
Historical treasures displayed in the converted laundry, stables and stores of Bangor Castle include the Raven Maps (the only complete folio of Plantation…
Belfast
Catholic St Malachy's was built between 1841 and 1844 by Thomas Jackson and extensively renovated in the past decade. Its exterior resembles a Tudor…
County Londonderry
Just 1.5km south of Coleraine town centre, on the east bank of the river, Mountsandel Fort is a massive and mysterious earthwork that may have been an…
Antrim Castle Gardens & Clotworthy House
County Antrim
Pass through the Barbican Gate (1818), a portion of the old castle walls, and the underpass beyond to reach Antrim Castle Gardens. The castle burned down…
County Antrim
The glass-fronted Museum and Civic Centre on Antrim St houses the local museum, which has an interesting collection of artefacts relating to the town's…
Counties Fermanagh & Tyrone
What these Neolithic stone circles lack in stature – the stones are all less than 1m tall – they make up for in complexity; the impressive complex has…
Belfast
Housed in a barge moored on the River Lagan, this museum tells the story of Belfast's maritime and industrial history, bringing together old photographs,…
Belfast
The UK's last surviving WWI Royal Navy cruiser has been converted into a floating museum, docked in Titanic Quarter. Audio tours take in the captain's…
Counties Fermanagh & Tyrone
Originally planted for timber production, this coniferous forest is now a 15-sq-km park. The main car park is the starting point for a series of walking…
County Fermanagh
This park has pleasant woodland and lakeshore walks and cycle tracks, in the former estate of 18th-century Archdale Manor and the adjacent forest park,…
Belfast
The centrepiece of Belfast's Botanic Gardens is Charles Lanyon’s beautiful Palm House, built in 1839 and completed in 1852, with its birdcage dome, a…
Counties Down & Armagh
Aimed mainly at educating young people, the Armagh Planetarium has an interactive exhibition on space exploration, and a digital theatre that screens a…
