Ten Places to Visit in Northern Ireland

Ulster American Folk Park

The Ulster American Folk Park would be a very nice place to visit because there is a lot to look at. Immerse yourself in the world’s famous story of Irish emigration at the museum that brings it to life. Follow the emigrant trail as you journey from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full scale emigrant sailing ship leading to the log cabins of the American frontier. Meet costumed characters on your way with traditional crafts to show, tales t tell and food to share. Celebrate the "American Wake".

Countless thousands of people left Ireland in the 1700s and 1800s. For many, the hours before departure became known as the American or Living Wake. The Ulster American Folk Park is home to wide variety historic buildings from throughout Ulster.

They include a simple cabin whose origins pre-date the Great Famine; an 18th century Mass House; a National School from 1845; and, the historically significant Mellon House, childhood home of Thomas Mellon, founder of the Mellon Bank in United States of America. The buildings in this collection reflect over two hundred years of social and economic change in this part of Ireland.

Giant’s Causeway

Giants Causeway would be a very nice place to visit and if you go on the walk in the Giants Causeway there are a lot of rocks and there is one shaped like a boot. The Giant’s Causeway consists of 40,000 polygonal basalt columns, some 6ft in height, and all side-by-side and is explored by 350,000 visitors yearly.



Basalt columsns at the Giant's Causeway



Among the many theories and local legends, the most scientific reason for these formations is that about 55 million years ago during the early. Tertiary period lava flowed from a nearby volcano and settled on the shore and there is a mountain. I think it is a very nice place in Northern Ireland.

The Giant’s Causeway is open from the 1^st March to the 31^st May at 9.30am to 5.00pm, 1^st June to 30^th June at 9.30am to 6.00pm, 1^st July to 31^st August at 9.30am to 7.00pm, 1^st September to 30^th September 9.30am to 6.00pm, 1^st October to 31^st October 9.30am to 5.00pm, 1^st November to 31^st  December 9.30am to 4.00pm. If you go in by car it is £6 and by motorbike it is £2.

The Ulster Museum, Belfast

The Ulster museum was made in 1988 and reopened in 2008. The mummy is the most famous thing in the museum. She died at the age of 30.Her name is Takabuti. The mummy was unwrapped in 1835. She died at the age of 30.Her name is Takabuti.

There is a cafe and there is a restaurant at the front of the museum.

Peter, Polar bear died in August 1972 he is famous because he was the first polar bear to live in Belfast for a while.

If you are blind, guide dogs are welcome. 

Information
Opening times: 10.00 / 17.00
But it is closed on Mondays [besides bank holidays]
Price: free to get in.

The Marble Arch Caves

The Marble Arch Caves is in the Global Geopark and is located in of counties Fermanagh and Cavan. It boasts some of the finest natural landscapes in Ireland and offers a window into the area's 650 million year past.

A Geopark is an area recognised by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to have exceptional geological heritage.

The caves were first explored by Édouard-Alfred Martel and Dublin naturalist Lyster Jameson in 1895, starting at the Cladagh Glen resurgence, already a popular tourist attraction.  Using a canvas boat, and with candles and magnesium flares for light, Martel and Jameson found 1,000 feet (305 m) of passages, including the junction where the Owenbrean and the combined Aghinrawn and Sruh Croppa waters meet. In 1908 and later in 1935, groups of English cavers from Yorkshire Ramblers' Club explored further and discovered more chambers, the latter group reaching the limit of today's show cave. In the late sixties a major breakthrough was made when a bypass to sump 1 was found, giving access to the Legnabrocky Way and Skreen Hill 2 and Skreen Hill 3 sections of the cave. A notable feature of the Legnabrocky Way is the Giant's Hall, a large chamber 60 m long, 30 m high and 15 m wide.

In 2009 and 2010 diving connections were made to the nearby cave systems by Artur Kozlowski, firstly to Prod's Pot – Cascades Rising, doubling the total length of the system from 4.5 to 9 km (5.6 mi), and subsequently to newly established Monastir Sink - Upper Cradle system , extending the system further to 11.5 km (7.1 mi). The discoveries make this the longest cave in Northern Ireland.

Cave Hill

Cave hill, one of the most familiar and visible landmarks of Belfast.

Cave Hill Country Park gets its name from five caves - which could be early iron mines - located on the side of the main Belfast cliffs.

Visitors to Cave Hill Country Park can enjoy panoramic views across Belfast City from vantage points on the hillside.

There are also way marked trails which are suitable for casual walkers or serious ramblers.

It’s great for taking your dog for a walk, learning more about nature or even having a family picnic on a sunny day. And lots and lots more.

There is also Cave Hill Adventurous Playground nearby.  It is located in the grounds of Belfast Castle Estate, just off Antrim Road in north Belfast.

It is suitable for children aged three to 14 and includes cradle swings, slides, spring rockers, a sand play unit and a bicycle roundabout.

Prices

Valid from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011:

• single admission - £2.10

• Season ticket - £37.50.

W5

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR INFORMATION.

Opening hours
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, last admission 4pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm, last admission 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 6pm, last admission 5pm

W5 is  part of the Odyssey, Northern Ireland’s Landmark Millennium Project, based in the Abercorn Basin beside the River Lagan in Belfast. Upper floors of W5 have spectacular views of Belfast’s cityscape and far beyond.

With nearly 200 amazing interactive exhibits in four incredible areas, W5 provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. In addition to permanent exhibits, W5 also presents a changing programme of large and small scale temporary exhibits and events. We have a daily programme of live science demonstrations and shows throughout the day.

W5’s location, on the bank of the River Lagan, at Odyssey, the Northern Ireland Landmark Millennium Project, provides spectacular views of Belfast and the River and is only a short walk from Belfast City Centre.

W5 opened on the 31st March 2001. Over the past decade we have welcomed over 2 million visitors from around the world. W5 has become one of Northern Ireland's top visitor attractions winning many awards and the hearts of thousands of young people.

 There are lots of special events to enjoy. They have put together some of the most popular events and created some amazing stuff.

Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle occupies a prominent site on the slopes of Cave Hill, some 400 ft above sea level. This magnificent sandstone building, now managed by Belfast City Council, has close associations with the city’s past.


Its sense of history, the superb setting and the new, refurbished visitor centre makes Belfast Castle a ‘must’ for every visitor. Discover the history of Cave Hill from Stone Age to current times.

Public tours are held at various times throughout the year however a private tour can be arranged at any time (depending on numbers).

Belfast Zoo

Belfast Zoological Gardens is home to more than 140 species of animal, many of which are in danger in their naturalhabitat. The zoo also carries out important conservation work and takes part in over 90 European and global collaborative breeding programmes which help to ensure the survival of many species under threat.

As one of the oldest visitor attractions in Northern Ireland, many visitors have fond memories of visiting the gardens, which have been home to the animals since 1934. In 2010, Belfast Zoo is now one of the leading visitor attractions in Northern Ireland, with more than 304,000 visitors a year.


Popular attractions include the Asian elephants, giraffes, sea lions, penguins, ring-tailed lemurs, apes, monkeys, Malayan tapirs, Giant anteater, Malayan sun bears, Visayan warty pigs, Barbary lions and Sumatran tigers. Our rainforest exhibit creates an authentic immersive environment that combines tropical plants with unusal animals such as Jasmine, the Linne's two toes Sloth and Rodrigues fruit bats.

Other onsite facilities include the Ark Cafe, snack bar, 'Zoovenir Shop', children's playground and designated picnic areas. The zoo also runs a regular programme of special events through the year.

 
Queen’s University

The fine facade of the Main Building, designed by Charles Lanyon, conceals a quiet, restful quadrangle. This was the original Queens College: the University has expanded throughout the immediate area, including all the houses on University Square, the imposing terrace to the left of the Lanyon Building. The visitors centre host exhibitions as well as selling University memorabilia.

Wheelchair access. Guided tours available.

Belfast City Hall

The home of Belfast City Council,it was designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas and built in Portland stone. Completed in 1906, it is a magnificent Edwardian 'wedding cake' built to reflect Belfast's city status, granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. The dome is 53m (173 feet) high. Figures above the door are 'Hibernia encouraging and promoting the Commerce and Arts of the City'.

Today, the grounds of City Hall are a favourite of city centre workers, students and tourists for taking a break from the bustling city. Many people can be found relaxing in the grounds with friends or simply a sandwich and a favourite book. The grounds are also used for many events from continental markets to open air concerts.

Stormont

Stormont housed Northern Irelands Parliament until it was disbanded in 1972. The interior floorspace totals nearly 5 acres and the building stands at the end of a mile long driveway in 300 acres of parkland.

Stormont is a public park which remains open until 7.30pm. Pedestrians can walk from the main gates to the statue of Carson, along the Prince of Wales Avenue and can also enjoy the glen walk and visit the excellent facOn 3 December 2005, the Great Hall was used for the funeral service of former Northern Ireland and Manchester United footballer George Best. The building was selected for the funeral as it is in the only grounds in Belfast suitable to accommodate the large number of members of the public who wished to attend the funeral. Approximately 25,000 people gathered in the grounds, with thousands more lining the route. It was the first time since World War II that the building has been used for a non-governmental or non-political purpose.

Carrickfergus castle

Carrick Fergus Castle greets all visitors with its strength and menace. It represents over 800 years of military might. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the Castle saw action right up to World War II.

Exhibitions on the castle’s history, audio-visual, shop, wheelchair access limited.