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Go an adventure to Northern Ireland

Make your way to Northern Ireland, home to both rural tranquillity and energetic cities. See the hot spot landscapes, from the scenery featured in Game of Thrones, to the CS Lewis inspiration of the Mourne Mountains. Explore the sights where the Titanic was built, visit St Georges Market, wander around City Hall, check out the Causeway Coastal Route and savour a slice of Irish cultural richness. Take a bite of the thriving foodie and drink hubs – taste and hear it in the cuisine (an ‘Ulster fry’ breakfast or a bowl of champ mash) served to a soundtrack of pipes and fiddles amid local craic (witty banter) in pubs and cafés across the land. 

Fly-drive holidays in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland.

Travel from Belfast along the beautiful Antrim coast to the Giant’s Causeway. There you’ll encounter the legend of the mythical giant, Finn McCool, at this world heritage site, a geological wonder of basalt columns leading down to the ocean. South of Belfast lies Downpatrick, a shrine to Ireland’s patron saint. Visit his grave then continue the coastal route to Newcastle’s world-renowned golf links and the towering mountains of Mourne.

City breaks in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland.

History matters; it shouts from the walls. Discover Belfast’s backstreet murals during a colourful guided tour of its recent past. Or taste its nightlife in the lanes around the cathedral. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and docks, where the liner was built, resurrects the 1912 disaster in an interactive visitor centre on a scale befitting the tragedy. Or visit Derry-Londonderry, to walk its ancient walls, scene of 17 century sieges, or cross the Peace Bridge over the winding River Foyle.

Things to do in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s western counties – Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry-Londonderry – spring quiet surprises. Glenelly Valley, among the lonely, unspoilt peaks of the Sperrin Mountains, brims with rare birdsong and chattering streams. Pan for gold there or head southwest to Fermanagh’s loughs to find hundreds of islands replete with a history of pre-Christian occupation, pagan rituals and Viking raids.

Holidays in Northern Ireland and beyond

Causeway Coastal Route

Add a hire car to your charming Irish break away and cruise your way along the dazzling Causeway Costal Route from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry. Relish every moment of this 120-mile trip, bursting with famous sights and outstanding coastal scenery – earning it a well-deserved reputation as ‘one of the world’s great road journeys’. Watch out for the highlights, including the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Glenariff Forest Park and Londonderry. Be sure to head off route now and then, to capture even more unforgettable views in the surrounding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Walled City of Derry-Londonderry

Take a road trip from Dublin to the bohemian scenes of Galway City. Wander around the historic alleyways of Kirwan’s Lane, then find a local restaurant and try Galway oysters with a slice of soda bread. Discover unique craft shops, with a variety of lovely locally-made ceramics, jewellery and knitwear. Ramble along to the famous 16-century Spanish Arch and medieval church of St Nicholas –then discover more about the city’s history at the Galway Museum.

Giant’s Causeway

Hire a car in Belfast and visit the magnificent Giant’s Causeway on the north east coast of Co Antrim. Shrouded in mystery, this remarkable geological formation on the north east coast is made up of nearly 40,000 basalt columns that stretch out to sea. During your visit, why not walk the 11 miles to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge? Or travel by steam train along the coast to the historic town of Bushmills, home to the famous ‘Old Bushmills’ Distillery. 

Find inspiration in our travel articles

Wicklow Mountains on Lough Tay Lake.

Four of the best Ireland road trips

Prepare to lose yourself in the glorious greenery on an Ireland road trip – the distances are short, you’ll drive on the left both sides of the Irish border, and the roads are refreshingly empty. The promise of legend, landscape and a warm Irish welcome will exceed all expectations.

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