Northern Ireland Holidays Travel Guide & Tips

29/03/2025

For a bit of opulence treat yourself to a visit to The Merchant Hotel, Belfast. Grab afternoon tea or port and cheese in the Great Room Restaurant, (which is where you will find this stunning Tyrone Crystal chandelier), enjoy a drink in their bar or stay overnight – they have plenty of wonderful offers - it’s an amazing experience.

27/03/2025

Forget New Orleans! Here’s your chance to find rhythm at the 5-day Derry City Jazz Festival – 1-5 May 2025.

From high-energy dance to laid back mellow, you're sure to find something to enjoy from the programme of more than 400+ events taking place.

Billy Ocean headlines and you’ll find jazz hubs, al fresco jazz, a jazz parade, the Mayor’s Live Launch — free and ticketed events.

Visit our website news section for an overview which includes tips on getting there - and accommodation link (book early!).

https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/derry-jazz-festival

For those that won’t be able to make this year, note that this event alternates annually with the Foyle Maritime Festival so if you are planning on visiting in 2027 - a jazz festival awaits!


Visit Derry City of Derry Jazz Festival Derry City & Strabane District Council

21/03/2025

[GIANT’S CAUSEWAY] We’ve put together an ultimate guide to visiting Giant’s Causeway with our tips on getting there and making the most of your experience. For example, did you know you could get to Giant’s Causeway by heritage train from Bushmills? Or take a stunning coastal cliff top walk from either Dunseverick or Portballintrae? Visit our website for all the details you need - and be sure to sign up for our newsletter while you’re there for regular tips and updates.

https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/top-tips-for-visiting-giants-causeway-northern-ireland-visitor-guide/

19/03/2025

[5 DAY TRIPS FROM BELFAST 🚙] The big day trip from Belfast is the trip to Giant’s Causeway, but here are a few other ideas for day trips out of Belfast. You can learn more about these great experiences by visiting our website and checking out the post about Belfast. Enjoy!

https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/belfast-visitor-guide-top-things-to-do/

14/03/2025

[ST PATRICK'S COUNTRY IN CO DOWN & ARMAGH]

Next to Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), Saint Patrick is probably the world’s most famous saint. Saint Patrick’s Day – 17 March, the date of his death – is recognised around the world as people from New Orleans to Hong Kong dress up in green, drink green beer and celebrate Irish culture.

But of course Saint Patrick himself is not about green beer and leprechauns; he is known as the Apostle of Ireland and has been described as one of history’s most successful missionaries. Through his work he firmly established Christianity across Ireland, and beyond.

There are of course quite a number of sites associated with Saint Patrick across Ireland but probably the greatest concentration of places to visit to get the spirit of Saint Patrick can be found in the Armagh-Newry-Downpatrick area. The area sits two hours north of Dublin or one hour south of Belfast.

Learn more about all the sites to visit plus many more things to do on our website:
https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/exploring-saint-patricks-country/

26/10/2024

It is nearly upon us - the time when the ‘veil’ that separates us from the ‘other world’ is at its thinnest. Derry Halloween officially manifests from Monday 28 October but Cullen's Halloween Funfair is already open for scary thrills.

The programme is HUGE with so many events and activities and I have tried to break it down so it makes sense in this write up on our website: https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/derry-halloween-spooktacular-festival/

Enjoy!, Katie.

https://youtu.be/9n89G5a_Mn4

Discover it all at www.derryhalloween.com.

18/10/2024

You can still have fun in the rain in Northern Ireland!

Love this 'music video' produced by my nieces Emily (from Hong Kong) and Amber (from the Netherlands) who visited their cousin (my son) in Derry Londonderry and took the train to Castlerock to walk up to Mussenden temple - in the rain.

It should take about an hour but took them three hours because:
"We left Ryan's house with 15 minutes til the train and didn't realise how far it was so we decided to miss it and get a coffee. Hour 1: We spent so long getting a coffee we didnt realise we only had about 10 minutes to sprint to the train.
Hour 2: Missed that train too and waited for the train at the station
Hour 3: I think it takes 1 hour to get there..."

Interested in learning more about Mussenden Temple and Castle Rock? Click this link: https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/castlerock/



Discover Ireland Discover Northern Ireland Visit Causeway Coast and Glens

28/09/2024

[SHADOWDOCK SOUND & LIGHT SHOW] If you are looking for an uplifting experience to enjoy in Belfast this weekend take a look at the Shadowdock experience at the Thompson Dry Dock in the Titanic Quarter.

Visitors, wearing headphones, can listen to the narration and soundrack as the light show plays off the walls of the dry dock that once housed the Titanic herself. The narration talks about the history of the dock areas, telling how it took 500 men seven years to dig out the massive Thompson dock. But the experience is much more than a history lesson, going on to talk about hope and the goodness that is within us, friendship and breaking down barriers, the light being a metaphor for hope. In Belfast this message is meaningful. Husband David who was there to experience the show described it as a wonderful positive experience.

https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/shadow-dock-experience-titanic-quarter/

28/09/2024

[SHADOWDOCK SOUND & LIGHT SHOW] If you are looking for an uplifting experience to enjoy in Belfast this weekend take a look at the Shadowdock experience at the Thompson Dry Dock in the Titanic Quarter.
Visitors, wearing headphones, can listen to the narration and soundrack as the light show plays off the walls of the dry dock that once housed the Titanic herself. The narration talks about the history of the dock areas, telling how it took 500 men seven years to dig out the massive Thompson dock. But the experience is much more than a history lesson, going on to talk about hope and the goodness that is within us, friendship and breaking down barriers, the light being a metaphor for hope. In Belfast this message is meaningful. Husband David who was there to experience the show described it as a wonderful positive experience.
Learn more...
https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/shadow-dock-experience-titanic-quarter/

Shadowdock Visit Belfast Titanic Quarter Titanic Distillers The Lightbody Foundation
https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/shadow-dock-experience-titanic-quarter/

For one weekend only, the Shadowdock experience is taking place in the historic Thomson Dry Dock where the Titanic herself once stood while being fitted out.

21/08/2024

If you are into your golf, Derry City is indeed a hub for some of the best golf courses around - North West Golf Club, Ballyliffin Golf Club (Irish Open 2018) and Portsalon Golf Club in Donegal and over in Co Antrim we have Royal Portrush Golf Club (hosts of The Open in 2019 and again in 2025) and also along the Causeway Coast - Portstewart Golf Club (Irish Open 2017) and Galgorm Golf (Irish Open 2020).

If you want to learn more about the walled city of Derry Londonderry take a look at our visitor guide: https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/the-very-best-things-to-do-in-derry-londonderry/

07/07/2024

[BELFAST CITY HALL] This stunning building is home to a free self-guided exhibition that covers six key themes around Belfast's diverse and vibrant history. The exhibition is laid out through a number of rooms on the ground floor and is fascinating, although quite a bit of reading is required. I think it is a hidden gem.

If you feel yourself flagging, there is the Bobbin Tea room adjacent to the exhibition in the City Hall where you can stop and get a cup of tea and a scone, or something a bit more substantial.

You can also enjoy a guided tour of the first floor rooms that are not otherwise open to the public. This tour now costs £6 for those 18 years of age and over (it used to be free) and the tour runs several times a day and can be booked at the reception desk. I've not done it myself so cannot rate it.

Also in the grounds of Belfast City Hall you'll find a memorial to the victims of the Titanic disaster, a memorial to Mary Ann McCracken, a noted abolitionist and social reformer, and other memorials.

If you are doing a hop on hop off bus tour you'll find the pickup point close by so you can fit a trip to the City Hall in before or after your tour.

04/07/2024

[STENDHAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND - 4-7 July 2024] - Starts today!

Family Day tickets are still available via the gate but family camping tickets are sold out! Check their social media for latest ticket updates: Stendhal Festival

The highlight of the weekend for me is of course Little Kings - Leah, Aoife, and ... my son, and John on drums, playing Friday at 17:45.

Check for other festivals coming up at: https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/whats-on-in-northern-ireland-annual-events-calendar/

06/06/2024

SEAL WATCH 🦭 : I just received an enquiry about places to see seals around Northern Ireland. There are a few hot spots I know of - Copeland Islands and Rathlin Island - and the random seal in the Lagan above Stranmillis Weir - but does anyone else have any recommendations for seeing seals in the wild?

Island Boat Charters Donaghadee Abhainn Cruises Boat Tours Kintra Boat Tours Strangford Lough Activity Centre Carnlough Bay Boat Tours Clearsky Adventure Centre Aquaholics Far and Wild Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours Foyle Adventures & Boat Tours

04/04/2024

Does anyone know how many pubs there actually are in Ballycastle?

29/03/2024

The beautiful Causeway Coastal Route 🙌 - Where would you recommend visitors stay if travelling the route?

Need inspiration? Read our guide - https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/the-causeway-coastal-route/

26/03/2024

We've just updated our annual events calendar with a lot more dates for summer festivals now announced.

Dates confirmed include the NI International Airshow (it's back!), Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival, Ould Lammas Fair, Fiddler's Green Festival, Derry Halloween and so much more. Check the dates and book your accommodation early!

https://bit.ly/NIHols-Calendar2024

23/03/2024

Any time is a great time to visit Titanic Belfast but with our current wintery, erratic 🌦 March sunshine / sleet / sunshine weather, there's no time like the present!

After last year's £4.5million upgrade, the site truly lives up to its boast of being ‘one of the most dramatic tourism projects opening anywhere in the world’. You can read all about it in our review 👇

Plus - through April you can take advantage of an Early-Bird offer - save £5 off an adult ticket if you book in one of the 9-10am time slots. There is also a late entry offer. More information in our reivew.

Plus Plus -- Titanic Belfast is organising a bit of an easter treate with an Easter themed Explorer Trail for those visiting over Easter. It's also Titanic Belfast's 12th birthday on 31 March!! Surely there will be cake? 🎂

Following a £4.5m upgrade to the iconic Titanic attraction, we can say that our recent visit left us awed. It really is to be recommended, even for those who have been before...

17/03/2024

Happy Saint Patrick's Day ☘️- and to celebrate the world's second most famous Saint's special day (Saint Nicholas / Santa Claus taking first place), we've put together a guide to Saint Patrick's Country. This is the area around Downpatrick and Armagh where the saint first established himself in Ireland when he set out to tame his former slave masters!

https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/exploring-saint-patricks-country/

The Saint Patrick Centre, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh - Anglican - COI St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh Down Cathedral