Northern Ireland Holidays Travel Guide & Tips

02/05/2025

Just arrived in Derry Londonderry for the Derry City Jazz Festival. First stop lunch at the Sandwich Company to enjoy the amazing Anna Nolan Jazz Trio. Plenty more to look forward to over the weekend! Read more here: https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/derry-jazz-festival/

26/04/2025

A friend just introduced me to MacIvors Dry Cider the other night and now I'm a fan!

Most 'dry' ciders aren't that dry but this has the balance right. MacIvors is based in the Orchard County of Armagh and has been in business since 1855.

The cidery grows their own apples and makes a number of ciders. An online shop is coming soon so look out for their cider range in your bar or supermarket.

24/04/2025

[ SPOTLIGHT - HOLIDAY RENTAL ] Ardagh Cottage is a new holiday rental on Booking.com and ... therefore still has availability for the 🏌️2025 British Open🏌️‍♀️!

Set up high in Glenshesk, one of the nine Glens of Antrim 🌄, this lovely rural traditional 2-bedroom cottage was built in the 1800s and has a cosy wood burning stove to really set the scene. The decor is vintage with lots of interesting artefacts but with the convenience of modern appliances including good WiFi and an Airfryer, microwave and dishwasher.

The cottage enjoys a tranquil setting where often the only sounds are from the surrounding farm animals and wildlife. An ideal spot for hikers, bird-watchers, painters or those who just want to escape the city and relax. Nearby Breen Wood is a Red Squirrel sanctuary - and you might also spot deer. The cottage is also set on the Moyle Way - a distance hike from Ballycastle to Waterfoot so a great place to get out and stretch your legs.

Ardagh Cottage is pet friendly but dogs must be kept on a lead when outside as the cottage is in the middle of a sheep farm 🐑!

**Nearby:** The Dark Hedges are within a 15 minute drive; Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Bushmills are a short 30 minute drive from the cottage and Portrush (for the Open) is just an extra 5 minutes drive along the road. Nearest towns include Armoy (Road Races) and Ballycastle (for Rathlin Island, Bonmargy Friary, Pans Rocks and the Rathlin Sound Festival as well as the Ould Lammas Fair).

Check booking.com for more information: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/secluded-cottage-in-glenshesk-near-ballycastle.en.html?aid=1373862&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

(Affiliate link - Northern Ireland Holidays may earn a small commission at no additional expense to the booker if a booking is made)

Jenny Good

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/

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/