Northern Ireland is so impressive in landscapes that the Game of Thrones series was almost completely filmed here: forests, valleys and the harsh Atlantic coast. Most of the territory is occupied by quiet old villages, life is seething only in Belfast and the town of Derry, which the locals jokingly call “Legenderry”.
It is located in the northern part of the island of Ireland, but is at the same time a region of Great Britain. Not only the Irish proper live here, but also Anglo-Irish and Scotch-Irish, while they belong to different faiths: the first are Catholics, and the second and third are Protestants, like most British people. This, as well as different attitudes towards the fact that this area does not belong to Ireland, but to Britain, causes controversy and conflicts in society, the echoes of which are heard to this day. The cities of Northern Ireland have a lot of young people and students, as this area of the UK is known for good English schools, and in addition, it is a large European student center. For United Kingdom climate and geography, please check TopPharmacySchools.
How to get to Northern Ireland
There is no direct flight to Belfast from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, but there are several connecting flights through Europe. From Kazakhstan (Almaty) there is a direct flight of British Midland.
There are three airports in Northern Ireland: two belong to the capital Belfast, and one belongs to the city of Londonderry.
Transport
There are three airports in Northern Ireland: two in Belfast and one in Derry (a.k.a. Londonderry). George Best Belfast City Airport serves domestic flights to cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland. All international flights operate through Belfast International Airport. Car rental is not as well developed in the country as, for example, in neighboring Ireland, but there are still points: for example, Avis and Europcar on Great Victoria Street.
Restaurants
The most popular food in Northern Ireland’s eateries is the same as in the United Kingdom: the inevitable “fish and chips” in several variations and “stew”, a kind of stew. There is, however, a popular local dish – assorted “ulster fry”, which includes eggs, sausage, bacon, bread, tomatoes, sometimes mushrooms, all fried.
Many stores on the north coast near Ballycastle sell a delicacy called dulse, a type of sun-dried seaweed. And in August, Ballycastle hosts the Lamas Fair, where you can buy the traditional Northern Irish honey sweet “yellow man”.
Entertainment and attractions in Northern Ireland
Of the natural attractions of Northern Ireland, one can single out the “Giant’s Road” – a rock formation of thousands of multifaceted basalt columns up to 6 m high.
A good option for lovers of beautiful views is to travel along the coastal highway connecting Larne and Ballycastle. It starts from the town of Carrickfergus and goes to Larne. From there, the path leads to Glenarif National Park, to the wonderful place of Kashendan. And on Rathlin Island, which lies 40 minutes from Ballycastle, you can see a lot of birds in the Cabble National Park. Fans of tickling their nerves will certainly be pleased with the 24-meter cable bridge Carrick Red Rope Bridge, laid between two rocks directly above the rumbling sea.
The southwestern part of Northern Ireland is no less interesting than the coastal one. There is the Neo-Classical Coulet Castle, the Florence Court House, the Enniskillen Castle Museum. On the island of Boa, on the lake, there is a statue made of stone, an object of worship of ancient tribes. Pleasing to the eye are the Marble Caves, full of stalagmites.
Landmarks of Londonderry: city wall, Harbor Museum, Guildhall, St. Columbus and Tower Museum. In the southeast, Oxford Island National Park, the Valley of Silence, the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Armag, Museum of Armag. Also, the Irish Fusiliers Museum and the Kilnasaggort stone statue, dating from 700, is the earliest evidence of Christianity in Ireland.
Excursion to Narnia
Having made a trip to the mountains of Morne located in Northern Ireland, you can (without any participation of magical furniture) find yourself in the fantasy land of Narnia from the movie “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. C. S. Lewis, the author of this book, was born in Belfast in 1898. The lasting impression on the boy was Little Lea, an Edwardian cottage with long dark corridors and an abandoned garden, located in the eastern part of the city where his family lived. In addition to the mansion itself, visitors will be able to see the prototype lamppost in Narnia in Crawfordsburn Country Park and Dunluce Castle on top of a cliff – the fabulous Caer Paravel.
