Northern Ireland Attractions Part I
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Giants Causeway (dam of the giant)
west of Ballycastle around 40,000 evenly shaped, up to 12 m high and mostly hexagonal basalt columns form a kind of dam that runs about 3 km long from the cliffs into the sea. They emerged from cooled magma about 2 million years ago and form an impressive natural monument. The name of the coast is derived from the legend of the giant Finn McCool. There are also a large number of beautiful bays nearby, which can be reached via coastal paths. The Giants Causeway was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland to date.
Cities in Northern Ireland
Belfast
The capital of the country Belfast, in the outskirts of which the Northern Ireland conflict took place in the 1970s, is also a bishopric and university city. Almost the entire city center is car-free due to the numerous bomb attacks in the past. To the west is the so-called Peace Line, which still separates the Catholic from the Protestant residential areas.
Derry (Londonderry)
The medieval old town of Londonderry is particularly beautiful, surrounded by a 1.5 km long and up to 8 m high walkable city wall. Other attractions in Derry include the Tower Museum of City History and the Bloody Sunday Monument.
Armagh
With its numerous Gregorian houses, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Special buildings
City Hall (City Hall) in Belfast
The City Hall was built in 1903
Stormont Castle in Belfast
This is the seat of the Northern Irish government.
Brewery in Bushmills
The oldest brewery in the world has been proven to have been in operation since 1276.
Historical printing works Grays in Strabane
Here you can visit printing presses from the 18th century.
Crown Liquor Saloon
Located on Great Victoria Street, Crown Liquor Saloon is probably Northern Ireland’s most famous pub. The house originally opened by Felix O’Hanlon and then known as The Railway Tavern was finally taken over by Michael Flanagan, whose son Patrick renovated it in 1885 and given it its current name. The building is worthwhile for its wonderful architecture and grandiose interior design, which was restored in 1978 in the Victorian style. What is striking about the interior are the ten adjoining rooms that were used by more reserved guests.
Royal School in Mountjoy
The oldest school in the country was founded in 1614 by the English King James I.
Tyrone Crystal Factory in Mountjoy
Operas and theater
Grand Opera House
Frank Matcham designed this opera house, which opened on December 23, 1895. As a historical part of Belfast, it has already met prominent visitors such as Eisenhower or Montgomery. After serving as a cinema between 1949 and 1972, the Grand Opera House was demolished and reopened in 1980. Despite much destruction during the Northern Ireland conflict, the opera house continued to host musicals, live concerts and pantomomic art performances. After further restoration work, the theater was able to reopen in 2006.
Museums
Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum provides further political, social and religious insights into the Northern Ireland conflict, but also into the overall history and culture of the Emerald Isle. The exceptional museum is located in the Belfast Botanical Gardens. It was once an architecturally closed museum that was designed in the classical style. In the 1970s it was expanded to include some modern elements, the beauty of which is debatable. The museum, which will be closed until spring 2009, does not cost any admission.
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is located outside of Belfast and deals with the cultural history of Ireland. It shows in particular replicas of residential and work buildings from the 19th century as well as original handicrafts.
Tower Museum
The popular Tower Museum in Londonderry was opened in 1992 and illustrates the history of Derry/Londonderry in various exhibitions.
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum near Belfast
In addition to replicas of typical Ulster buildings, there are also spectacular finds of the Spanish ship “Girona”, which sank in 1588. St. Patrick’s Center in Downpatrick The life story of the Irish national saint is documented here. Planetarium and observatory in Armagh Open Air Museum Ulster History Park near Omagh Here the history of the Emerald Isle is presented over several millennia. Ulster-American Folk Park near Omagh This open-air exhibition is dedicated to the mass emigration of the Irish to the USA during the 18th and 19th centuries. Tullaghoge Fort near Cookstown The burial place of the O’Hagans family dates from the 11th century.
Palaces and castles
Bangor Castle and Park
Carrickfergus Castle
The Norman castle in the place of the same name was built by John de Courcy in 1180 on a black basalt rock. Today it houses a museum and a collection of antiquities.
Kyllymoon Castle in Cookstown
Strangford Lough Castle at Downpatrick
The Norman castle, surrounded by small round hills, was originally built in the 5th century.
Florence Court Castle in Fermanagh
Located in the middle of Florence Court Forrest Park, this 18th century country house was formerly the seat of the Earls of Enniskillen. It houses an impressive collection of fossils.
Enniskillen Castle and Fermanagh County Museum and Fusilier Museum
Castlecoole Castle near Enniskillen
The neoclassical building with Palladian was built in 1790 by James Wyatt.
Belfast Castle
The castle on Cave Hill was built over a Norman castle from the 12th century.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is often referred to as the most beautiful and romantic castle in all of Ireland. It was originally inhabited by the MacQuillan family and then by the MacDonnells until the 16th century. During a storm, part of the castle fell from the cliffs into the sea.
Enniskillen Castle
Enniskillen Castle and Museum overlook Lough Erne in Enniskillen. The castle was built by Hugh Maguire in the 17th and 18th centuries as a shelter during the Gallic Rebellions and as a castle barracks. Also worth mentioning is the nearby Fermanagh Folk Museum.
Historical
Beachmore Stone Circles north of Cookstown
Seven stone circles and graves from the Bronze Age were discovered here in 1950.
Monuments on the islands of Lough Erne in Fermanagh
Numerous early Christian and pagan monuments have been preserved on the many islands of this lake.
Ruins of Dunluce Castle near Portrush
The fortress was built in the 13th century by Richard de Burgh, the Earl of Ulster, on a basalt rock protruding into the sea.
Boa Island (Lough Erne in Fermanagh)
There is a double-faced sculpture from the pre-Christian era.
Church ruins from the 12th century on White Island (Lough Erne in Fermanagh)
The seven imposing early Christian stone figures, including the famous Sheila-na-Gig, are particularly worth seeing.
12th century abbey and round tower on Devenish Island (Lough Erne in Fermanagh)
Technical
Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge at Ballycastle
The suspension bridge is in operation between April and September each year.
Craigavon Bridge
The Craigavon Bridge is one of two bridges in Derry/Londonderry. It spans the River Foyle and is the only double-decker bridge in Europe.
