14 Best Sights in Northern Ireland

Designed by Charles Lanyon, and opened in 1846, this jail held more than 500 prisoners at its peak; today it is one of Belfast's hottest tourist tickets. Throughout its 150-year lifetime, around 25,000 convicts passed through its doors. During the worst years of the Troubles, between 1969 and 1996 (when the prison closed), it held some of the North's most notorious prisoners, including many involved in paramilitary violence. The building has undergone a £10 million restoration, and, with its cream-walled corridors and black railings, has been transformed to reflect the way it looked in Victorian days. The engrossing 75-minute tour takes in the holding, punishment, and condemned cells—the latter where the prisoners were held before being taken to the gallows for execution. The highlight is the execution chamber, hidden behind a moving bookcase where the guide explains the gory details of how the long-drop method was used to break the prisoner's neck. Exhibits in the museum include handcuffs, a flogging rack with the birch used for punishment, photographs, and maps. The jail is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Belfast, and paranormal tours, ghost, and historical evening tours are held occasionally. A British army Wessex helicopter which patrolled the skies during the Troubles has been added to the display. The helicopter was retired from service in 2002 and has been restored. It was given to the museum by the Royal Air Force in 2019. The Crum Café sells daytime snacks, while Cuffs Bar and Grill is open for evening dining.

Less known than some showier estates, this three-story Anglo-Irish mansion was built around 1730 for John Cole, father of the 1st Earl of Enniskillen. Topped off about 1760 with its distinctive two flanking colonnaded wings, the central house contains a surfeit of Palladian windows, keystones, and balustrades—thanks to, as one architectural historian put it, "the vaingloriousness of a provincial hand." Even more impressive is its bucolic, baroque setting, as the Cuilcagh Mountains form a wonderful contrast to the shimmering white-stone facade. Showstoppers in terms of design are the rococo plasterwork ceilings in the dining room; the Venetian Room; and the famous staircase—all ascribed to Robert West, one of Dublin's most famous stuccadores (plasterworkers). For a peek at the "downstairs" world, check out the restored kitchen and other service quarters. You can browse a gift shop and secondhand bookstore; holiday accommodations are available at the Butler's Apartment. Two greenhouses have been renovated and produce from them is available to buy in the shop and the historic 2-acre Kitchen Garden, which has been undergoing a £375,000 face-lift, is due for completion in 2022--23 when it will be returned to full horticultural production. A visitor center, opposite the walled garden, with an outdoor shop sells takeaway snacks.

Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant's Causeway is a mass of almost 40,000 mostly hexagonal pillars of volcanic basalt, clustered like a giant honeycomb and extending hundreds of yards into the sea. This "causeway" was created 60 million years ago, when boiling lava, erupting from an underground fissure that stretched from the north of Ireland to the Scottish coast, crystallized as it burst into the sea. As all Ulster folk know, though, the truth is that the giant Finn MacCool, in a bid to reach a giantess he'd fallen in love with on the Scottish island of Staffa (where the causeway resurfaces), created the columns as stepping-stones. Unfortunately, the giantess's boyfriend found out, and in the ensuing battle, Finn pulled out a huge chunk of earth and flung it toward Scotland. The resulting hole became Lough Neagh, and the sod landed to create the Isle of Man. In the peak summer months it can be very busy—get here early or leave your visit until late afternoon, when it's generally quieter.

To reach the causeway, you can either walk 1½ km (1 mile) down a long scenic hill or take the Causeway Coaster minibus. A popular option with many visitors is to take the 20-minute walk downhill to the main causeway and catch the shuttle bus back uphill (£2 return).

A good place to start is the Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience, made of locally quarried basalt from the very same lava flows that formed the causeway. The glass front ensures spectacular coastal views, and the building is sunken into the ground, blending so effectively into the landscape that the indigenous grasses on the roof restore the natural ridgeline and provide a habitat for wildlife.

Inside the building, a stunning exhibition, complete with the 21st-century commercialization of Finn MacCool, is made up of five parts: coastal map, geological history, people and their stories, natural life, and the power of the landscape. Exhibition panels along with 3D displays showcase detail on the geological and scientific nature of the area. Guided one-hour tours of the stones are included in the admission price, and visitors are issued a hand-held device with recorded snippets of oral history. Tours leave every hour during the day. Kids love the center, so make sure you allow enough time on your visit to let them take in everything.

Outside, be aware that not all stones are created equal. Be sure to take a seat in the "Wishing Chair" and also look out for the "Giant's Boot," "Camel," "Harp," and the "Giant's Organ Pipes." Heading west, keep an eye out for Port-na-Spania, the spot where the 16th-century Spanish Armada galleon Girona went down on the rocks. The ship was carrying an astonishing cargo of gold and jewelry, some of which was only recovered in 1967. Beyond this, Chimney Point is the name given to one of the causeway structures on which the Spanish fired, thinking that it was Dunluce Castle, which is 8 km (5 miles) west.

You can park at the center—the fee is included in the admission price—or use the park-and-ride service between Bushmills and the causeway. Visitors who opt for the park and ride, or who arrive by public transportation, save £1.50 on the standard adult admission price (£3.75 per family) as part of a Green Travel Admission Ticket. Booking online in advance is recommended and saves you £1.50 on the adult admission price.

The rejuvenated Victorian Guildhall is an outstanding example of the city's ornate architecture. It has been refashioned as a visitor center with interactive exhibits telling the story of the Plantation of Ulster and the construction of the walled city, and how these events shaped present-day Derry. Touch-screen displays explain the building's special features, like the elaborate ceilings, baronial wood paneling, and a magnificent organ. For children, hands-on displays include a puzzle of a 1598 map of Ulster, and a wheel they can spin to find out about the different London companies and how land was divided. Kids can also build a bawn, stone house, or castle using wooden blocks, or dress up in the clothes of Planters or Irish people of the period. Look out, too, for the delightful scale model of the city in 1738 showing just a few thatched cabins outside the perimeter wall. A conserved page (a folio) from the Great Parchment Book of 1639 detailing the account of the Plantation is also on display. Other highlights include the 23 superb stained-glass windows in the reception area, up the stairs, and in the first floor main hall reflecting the siege of 1689 and other aspects of the city's history. With the gleaming restoration, one of the most famous of all Derry's local sayings, "You've more faces than the Guildhall clock"—not a compliment—has renewed resonance.

Enjoy an alfresco coffee in the Guild Café at the harbor square entrance overlooking the Foyle, an ideal spot to catch the riverine light and reflect on 400 turbulent years of history.

This world-class attraction headlines a "Titanic Experience" exhibition along with showcasing nine linked interpretative galleries that outline the Titanic's dramatic story as well as the wider theme of Belfast's seafaring and industrial heritage. The stunning bow-shape facade of the six-story building reflects the lines of the great ship, the shardlike appearance created from 3,000 different-shape panels each folded from silver anodized aluminum sheets into asymmetrical geometries. The ultimate, startling effect is of light caught by a cut diamond. As you wander through Titanic Belfast, you learn about the thriving boomtown at the turn of the 20th century; the ride through the reconstruction of the shipyards echoes with the sounds and sensations of more than 100 years ago. In one of the galleries, the ship's saga is brought up to the present with the discovery of the wreck and into the future with live links to contemporary undersea exploration. Also on-site is a movie theater designed by the Titanic explorer Robert Ballard (he discovered the wreck in 1985), which shows films about the ship. From time to time new exhibits are added; one of these is the original plan used during the British Titanic Inquiry held one month after the sinking. The historic plan was a vital reference tool and contains markings indicating where the liner struck the iceberg. The inquiry concluded that the loss of the liner had been brought about by "excessive speed." Tours are self-guided; audio guides are available in seven languages and cost £4. The one-hour Discovery Tour (£10) explores the symbolism of the Titanic building and incorporates the new Titanic Hotel, the converted former drawing offices of Harland & Wolff shipyard. The admission price to Titanic Belfast includes access to the nearby SS Nomadic, Titanic's original tender ship and the last remaining White Star Line vessel. Following a stint as a Parisian restaurant and nightclub, Nomadic was restored and visitors can experience a permanent and tangible piece of maritime heritage at Hamilton Dock. You can separately book a visit to the Nomadic on its own. Tickets are £7. You can also buy a White Star Premium Pass (£30) for daylong benefits such as discounts in the bistro and in the Titanic Store, as well as access to SS Nomadic and a personalized souvenir photograph of your visit. Tickets for Titanic Belfast are based on a timed ticketing, with slots available every 15 minutes throughout opening times; last admission is one hour, 45 minutes before closing time.

On selected Sundays, afternoon tea is hosted by the grand staircase in the Titanic Suite, but must be booked in advance. The cost is £28.50, £35.50 with a glass of prosecco, or £39 with a glass of Heidsieck Monopole Champagne, the official champagne of the RMS Titanic.

Next door to the Botanic Gardens, the rejuvenated Ulster Museum is a big hit with visitors for its spacious light-filled atrium and polished steel. The museum's forte is the history and prehistory of Ireland, using exhibitions to colorfully trace the rise of Belfast's crafts, trade, and industry. In addition, the museum has a large natural history section, with a famed skeleton of the extinct Irish giant deer and a trove of jewelry and gold ornaments recovered from the Spanish Armada vessel Girona, which sank off the Antrim Coast in 1588. Take time to seek out the Girona's stunning gold salamander studded with rubies and still dazzling after 400 years in the Atlantic. The museum includes a first-rate collection of 19th- and 20th-century art from Europe, Britain, and America. The Modern History gallery tells the story of Ulster from 1500 to 1968 and shows a remarkable range of objects from the history collection, many on display for the first time. A permanent exhibition installed in 2018 presents a somber look at the history of the civil and political conflict in Northern Ireland. "The Troubles and Beyond" recounts in a graphic way the story of three decades of communal violence covering the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. Through a wide variety of images, including reproduction of wall murals, maps, photographs, and propaganda ephemera, as well as videos, listening posts, and screens, the harrowing story of the conflict, which claimed more than 3,000 lives, is told in an engaging way. Look out for two poignant wall exhibits: the Peace Quilt, a red fabric with white birds representing the dove of peace and a teddy bear as a reminder of the children who suffered the loss of loved ones; and a powerful oil painting by the artist Jack Pakenham, Peace Talks, completed in 1992 as Northern Ireland moved slowly towards a resolution of the Troubles. In 2020, the museum received six etchings by the Dutch master Rembrandt which were gifted as a major acquisition by the Arts Council of England. The delicate etchings, which are on permanent display, date from 1630 to the 1650s. They include Dutch landscapes such as Six's Bridge which Rembrandt made in 1645 while visiting the country estate of Jan Six, a wealthy Amsterdam merchant who was his friend and patron.

The art, history, and nature discovery zones are packed with hands-on activities for children. Kids enjoy the Peter the Polar Bear exhibit and the famed Egyptian mummy, Takabuti.

Sunday morning is the quietest time to visit, but go early before the crowds. Afterward, lay out a picnic in the Belfast Botanical Gardens next door.

Displayed here in all its nickel-iron glory is Ireland's largest meteorite, an astonishing 4.5 billion years old and weighing 336 pounds. Elsewhere, find a spaceship, satellite models, a moon map on which you can walk, and the Digital Theater with Digistar 5—sit back and navigate the night sky in the company of experts. Weekend children's activities include building and launching rockets. Outside, stroll through the solar system and the Milky Way at the huge scale model of the universe.

Reduction on admission price if tickets are booked online.

From the superstar Chilean flamingos and a gorilla troop reigned over by silverback alpha male Gugas---whose latest offspring was born in October 2021---to spot-necked otters, West African chimps, and Goodfellow's tree kangaroos, you can enjoy the spectacle of more than 150 types of the world's most exotic creatures on a visit to Belfast Zoo. Note that it's on the steep side of Cave Hill and getting around the zoo involves a strenuous uphill walk for even the most energetic (not ideal for anyone with mobility problems)—a stroller would be advisable for small children. A popular attraction at the Rainforest House, a walk-through exhibition with dense tropical landscaping, is the toco toucan, with its huge, bright, yellow-orange bill. The zoo is also noted for its children's farm and underwater views of the resident penguins and sea lions.

The Treetops Tearoom (at the top of the Cave Hill site) affords the perfect view over Belfast Lough and is surrounded by the Malayan sun bear and cheetah enclosures.

Dramatically perched on a 100-foot-high basalt-rock cliff, halfway between Portrush and the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle is one of the north's most evocative ruins. Even roofless, this shattered bulk conjures up a strength and aura that is quintessentially Antrim. Originally a 13th-century Norman fortress, Dunluce was captured in the 16th century by the local MacDonnell clan chiefs. They enlarged it, in part using profits from salvaging the Spanish galleon Girona, and made it an important base for ruling northeastern Ulster. Perhaps the MacDonnells expanded the castle a bit too much, for in 1639 faulty construction caused the kitchens (with all the cooks) to plummet into the sea during a storm. Between 2009 and 2012, archaeologists uncovered belt buckles, thimbles, dress fastenings, jewelry, clay pipes, animal bones, and shards of pottery that are now on display in the Discovery Room. An eight-minute introductory film explores the castle's history. Colorful leaflets are available on-site dealing with the castle's checkered history. Guided tours are held every day at 11 am and 2 pm in the summer months and last 45 minutes.

Children love the sandpit where they can handle tools and dress up.

This geopark—one of Europe's finest show caves—has an interpretative center and trail walking routes in the surrounding mountainous uplands, including Cuilcagh, the highest point shared between counties Fermanagh and Cavan. The only UNESCO geopark in Northern Ireland, it's an ideal half-day underground activity, especially if it's a wet day in Fermanagh. Stalactites glisten above streams as you admire fragile mineral veils and cascades of calcite-coated walls and waterfalls. Guided boat tours, run by knowledgeable tour guides, last 75 minutes but may not be available after heavy rain. The show cave requires climbing 150 steps so it is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. For more information on the geological timescale of the caves and geopark ask for a free copy of the excellent color booklet Rockin' Around the Marble Arch Caves.

Bring walking shoes and a warm sweater. Tours begin at Marlbank Scenic Loop Centre, Florencecourt. There are frequent events that are suitable for children, such as fossil fun days and wildlife walks—check the website for details. There's also a restaurant and souvenir shop.

Just outside Armagh is Ulster's Camelot—the region's ancient capital. Excavations date activity to 700 BC. The fort has strong associations with figures of Irish history. Legend has it that thousands of years ago this was the site of the palace of Queen Macha; subsequent tales call it the barracks of the legendary Ulster warrior Cuchulainn and his Red Branch Knights. Remains dating from 94 BC are particularly intriguing: a great conical structure, 120 feet in diameter, was formed from five concentric circles made of 275 wooden posts, with a 276th, about 12 yards high, situated in the center. In an effort to make the past come alive, in 2020 the center underwent a modern-day rebranding making it a more immersive Iron Age Celtic experience for visitors. On arrival you are welcomed into the clan with a cleansing ceremony and purification involving smoke and fire. Traditional herb bread and mead is offered as stories of Ulster's heroes and warriors are recounted; those who feel the need may connect with the land and energy through some calming Celtic Mindfulness, all served up with music and mythology. Hour-long guided tours are held covering the whole site, while young children can dig into the past in the Archeo Pit, dress up as a Celt, and touch history with "feely boxes." Ecology trails bring the environmental aspects of Navan to life. There's a bug hotel, listening posts, bird boxes, a viewing hide, and Armagh's only "bug and beastie" viewer.

If you are searching for your ancestors, Armagh Ancestry is based at Navan Fort where they provide a comprehensive genealogical service with a computerized database containing millions of records of all the major family history research sources in Ireland. To find out more it is best to contact the office in advance of your visit; call 028/3752–1802 or visit www.armaghrootsireland.ie.

The interactive exhibits here bring the ancient myths and stories of early Christian Ireland to life. You can explore how St. Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times, examine the art and metalwork that were produced during this golden age, and listen to modern debates about Ireland's patron saint. Interpretative boards outline local sites connected with the saint. Self-guided tours of sites linked with St. Patrick last about 70 minutes and take you across a bridge over the River of Words. If time is short, you can opt to watch the IMAX cinema presentation, a 20-minute, 180-degree audiovisual flight that whizzes you around relevant Irish sites—a highlight of the entire exhibition. The center includes a café, gift store, an art gallery, terraced gardens, and a well-stocked tourist information office.

Part of the Odyssey complex in Belfast's docks, the W5 center underwent a £4.5 million revamp during 2020, and it takes a high-tech approach to interpreting science and creativity for adults and children. It offers scores of brand-new exhibits for kids to explore through games. Video displays and flashing lights enhance the futuristic feel, and you can do everything from exploring the weather to building houses, bridges, and robots. The Discovery exhibits for children under eight cover subjects such as spying, forensics, and nature. A huge multistory climbing structure called Climbit, a cross between a maze and a jungle gym, is a fun feature in the atrium for kids three and up.

Make your way to the upper floors for spectacular views over the city and beyond.

Home to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, this working museum run by volunteers preserves veteran Irish steam locomotives (from both sides of the border) and keeps some of them in running order. There are steam train trips of varying duration several times a year, so if you're a steam enthusiast check the website for details and bookings. A collection of steam locos and rolling stock is on display, and you can also visit workshops, and a restored signal box. Pride of place goes to the venerable engine No. 171 Slieve Gullion (currently under restoration). There is a cozy café in the old station building.