{"id":493,"date":"2016-08-03T15:31:12","date_gmt":"2016-08-03T15:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isango.com\/theguidebook\/\/?p=493"},"modified":"2016-12-08T23:04:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-08T23:04:13","slug":"7-things-you-need-to-see-and-do-in-northern-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/7-things-you-need-to-see-and-do-in-northern-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things You Need to See and Do in Northern Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the majestic rock maze of the Giant\u2019s Causeway to Belfast\u2019s revived city scene, Northern Ireland is fast becoming one of the world\u2019s leading destinations. Here\u2019s the craic on what you should be doing on your visit to Ireland\u2019s north.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Witness a living legend at the Giants Causeway<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Giant's<\/p>\n

A geologist\u2019s dream, the extraordinary rock formations on the coastline of Northern Ireland\u2019s County Antrim is a sight you\u2019ll have to see to believe. The result of volcanic eruptions around 50-60 million years ago, the Giant\u2019s Causeway is made up of some 40,000 huge basalt columns protruding from the shore and the sea.<\/p>\n

A people famous for their fervent storytelling, this striking sight has inspired Irish folklore for centuries, with tales still told by locals today. Legend has it that the Causeway was the old stomping ground of Irish giant Fin McCool. In fact, McCool\u2019s belongings remain scattered throughout the Causeway\u2019s coastline even now, with visitors stumbling across the giant\u2019s missing shoe and lost camel, on their journey through the Causeway trails.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re partial to the scientific or the mythical, there\u2019s plenty to keep you busy at these jagged plains. With cliff and coastal walks aplenty, a fully-fledged visitor hub and spectacular sights as far as the eye can see, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must for visitors to Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

Fancy a tour around the Causeway? Our\u00a0Giant\u2019s Causeway tour<\/u><\/a><\/strong> reveals the very best of this top destination, and more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Step back in time with a historic Black Cab Tour<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Discover the darker side of Northern Ireland\u2019s capital city with an infamous Black Cab Tour around Belfast. These escorted cab tours shine a light on Belfast\u2019s rocky past, painting a picture of the religious and cultural conflicts that once defined the region. Take in the city\u2019s key historical sites including the City Hall, Crumlin Road Jail and Court House and the Harland and Wolfe shipyard, where the notorious Titanic ship was built. Although the time of \u2018the Troubles\u2019 has long past, for those looking to understand Northern Ireland\u2019s history on a deeper level, a Black Cab Tour is the perfect addition to your trip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Bask in brand-new Belfast<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Belfast<\/p>\n

Once known as a place of political conflict and economic hardship, Belfast holds its own as a city of culture and arts, with an infinite dose of community spirit. \u00a0A new clutch of high-end hotels, restaurants and independent drinking holes plus the growing number of art galleries and theatres have breathed new life into Northern Ireland\u2019s capital. So, whether you have a penchant for pubs and cafes or museums are more your thing, you\u2019ll find it all in this city centre. One thing\u2019s for sure, this urban revival is fan-fecking-tastic!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Make a brew at Old Bushmills Distillery<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the small village of Bushmill lies Ireland\u2019s oldest working distillery. Established in 1608, Old Bushmills Distillery retains the charm and brewing style of eras gone by. A heritage-listed sight, Old Bushmills Distillery<\/a><\/span><\/strong> opens its doors to visitors of all ages, sharing its unique history, production methods and, most importantly, world-famous whiskey with all, age permitting of course.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Visit a legend-Derry City<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Londonderry<\/p>\n

Built more than 400 years ago, the walls of Derry city were erected by King James I to keep the city\u2019s population safe from Irish rebels. Despite numerous attempts, these walls have never been breached. As Ireland\u2019s only entirely walled city, Derry\u2019s unique character and vivid history offers an exclusive look into the life of yesteryear. Don\u2019t be fooled though, the Derry of today enjoys modern luxuries too.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s thriving dining and bar scene, chic independent shopping outlets and vast cultural venues are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Creatives take in the large-scale urban murals at the People\u2019s Gallery in the Bogside region, or check out Void, one of the city\u2019s leading contemporary art spaces. Meanwhile, history buffs experience the wonders of yesteryear at the neo-gothic Guildhall, one of Derry\u2019s most significant landmarks. Once made to keep visitors out, one stroll within these charming city walls and you won\u2019t ever want to leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Be a Game of Thrones groupie<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For Game of Thrones<\/a><\/span> fans, no visit to Northern Ireland is complete without a sneak-peek at the many filming locations of HBO\u2019s mega-show. Get your fandom on with a trip to Winterfell, the Stark family\u2019s abode in Season 1, formerly known as Castle Ward, find your own direwolf pup in the Haunted Forest at the Tollymore Forest Park and explore Dragonstone at Downhill beach. These and many more prime filming spots from the series are dotted throughout Northern Ireland. Fancy seeing them all but don\u2019t know where to start? Take a look at our Game of Thrones tour here<\/u><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for ease of access, transport and a jam-packed itinerary.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Walk the plank at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Carrick-a-Rede<\/p>\n

Suspended at almost 100ft (30m) above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge<\/span><\/strong> is not for the faint of heart. Running from the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island, this bridge attracts flocks of daredevil tourists each year. Erected in 1755 by salmon fisherman, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge offers an ideal viewing platform to take in the incredible sights of the Causeway Coast. Those brave enough to look down seethe ancient caves and rock faces that line the shoreline below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From the majestic rock maze of the Giant\u2019s Causeway to Belfast\u2019s revived city scene, Northern Ireland is fast becoming one of the world\u2019s leading destinations… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,19,58,78],"tags":[79,80],"yoast_head":"\n7 Things You Need to See and Do in Northern Ireland | The Guidebook - isango!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From the majestic rock maze of the Giant\u2019s Causeway to Belfast\u2019s revived city scene, Northern Ireland is fast becoming one of the world\u2019s leading destinations... 7 Things You Need to See and Do in Northern Ireland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/7-things-you-need-to-see-and-do-in-northern-ireland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"7 Things You Need to See and Do in Northern Ireland | The Guidebook - 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