At certain stages of this pandemic it may have seemed like summer 2020 would be a non-event, but thankfully, all is not lost. Dates have been announced for the reopening of hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions. Dates that are coming around fast.
And, everyone’s attention has turned to one thing, a staycation! While in “normal time” we may have thought nothing of a break around the country, this summer we may appreciate packing up the car and heading off even more than flying overseas.
With that in mind, and an Ulster-themed edition at hand, we’re going to look at some places at the top of the list to visit in Ireland’s most northerly province.
In the Republic, the roadmap for exiting lockdown has been brought forward. You can now travel anywhere within your county or up to 20km from your house. It’s expected these restrictions will be eased further in the next phase, commencing this Monday 29 June.
From Monday also, the tourism and hospitality sector will start to return, with hotels and restaurants reopening. Pubs are expected to resume trade from 20 July.
In Northern Ireland, hotels, restaurants, bars and visitor attractions will reopen from next Friday 3 July. In the North there are no restrictions on travel for those who are not self-isolating.
So, with the rules and regulations over and done with, let’s get on to something a bit more entertaining, where to go. Have fun, social distance and wash your hands!
You don’t need me to tell you Belfast is the go-to destination in Ulster. It’s the biggest city, there’s tonnes to do and it’s steeped in history. If you haven’t been, you should. But, if like many, you’ve already visited Belfast, check out Derry city.
Just like Belfast, Derry is steeped in history. A tour of the city is top of the list when visiting, whether it be via foot, taxi or bus. We’d recommend something incorporating the city’s murals and other iconic Derry sites, including the Free Derry Corner and Derry Girls Mural. Also, Derry is Ireland’s only completely walled city, so make sure to get a look.
Game of Thrones filming locations
Games of Thrones, which finished its run at seven series, is one of the most popular television shows of all time. And much of it was shot in different locations across Northern Ireland. This in itself has made Northern Ireland a must-visit destination for fans of the show.
From the Dark Hedges, Co Antrim, to Castle Ward and Tollymore Forest in Co Down, many of these places will be known and of interest to fans of the show. There’s plenty of information online about where these locations are.
For those who want to take the work out of it, Game of Thrones tours run from Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Newcastle to some of the most notable locations. There are different tour options, from Winterfell to Tollymore Forrest and the Iron Islands. See www.gameofthronestours.com.
The Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The Giant's Causeway.
No list of places to visit in Ulster would be complete without the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Antrim coastline.
In school we learned both the scientific explanation behind the hexagonal columns, molten lava cooled quickly by the sea to form the basalt structures and the mythical story, the causeway being stepping stones for Fionn MacCumhaill to travel to Scotland to fight a rival giant.
Either way, it’s a site to behold.
While at the Giant’s Causeway it’s also worth paying a visit to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, just 15 minutes up the road. Suspended almost 100ft above sea level, the rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen nearly 300 years ago.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace.
At the time of its opening, there was much debate about whether or not Seamus Heaney HomePlace, an experience celebrating the poet’s life and literature, should be located in rural Bellaghy where he is from or in either Belfast or Derry city, where potentially there could be more footfall.
Given that Heaney’s poetry is very much influenced by his upbringing and rooted in that rural setting, it cannot be denied that the museum is fitting in Bellaghy, located 45 minutes from both cities.
The exhibition is interactive, you get a headset upon arrival and it tells Heaney’s story through his poems. For anyone with any interest in the poetry, this is one to put on the list for sure.
Slieve League, Co Donegal
Slieve League, Donegal. \ Paul Lindsay
Pretty much all of the Donegal coastline is stunning, that’s well known. So it’s almost unfair to pick out just one part, but if pushed, Slieve League would be up there. These cliffs are three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher.
Located not far from either Kilcar or Carrick, you can park at the Slieve League Cliffs Centre or a small car park a little way up the path, but be warned the drive up is pretty steep and windy. From the viewing points, an amazing panorama opens up before you, which really, words can’t describe. On a clear day you can see across to Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo.
Getting to the highest point of Slieve League involves crossing the intimidating One Man’s Pass (you get the picture from the name) and should only be attempted by very experienced hikers.
At certain stages of this pandemic it may have seemed like summer 2020 would be a non-event, but thankfully, all is not lost. Dates have been announced for the reopening of hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions. Dates that are coming around fast.
And, everyone’s attention has turned to one thing, a staycation! While in “normal time” we may have thought nothing of a break around the country, this summer we may appreciate packing up the car and heading off even more than flying overseas.
With that in mind, and an Ulster-themed edition at hand, we’re going to look at some places at the top of the list to visit in Ireland’s most northerly province.
In the Republic, the roadmap for exiting lockdown has been brought forward. You can now travel anywhere within your county or up to 20km from your house. It’s expected these restrictions will be eased further in the next phase, commencing this Monday 29 June.
From Monday also, the tourism and hospitality sector will start to return, with hotels and restaurants reopening. Pubs are expected to resume trade from 20 July.
In Northern Ireland, hotels, restaurants, bars and visitor attractions will reopen from next Friday 3 July. In the North there are no restrictions on travel for those who are not self-isolating.
So, with the rules and regulations over and done with, let’s get on to something a bit more entertaining, where to go. Have fun, social distance and wash your hands!
You don’t need me to tell you Belfast is the go-to destination in Ulster. It’s the biggest city, there’s tonnes to do and it’s steeped in history. If you haven’t been, you should. But, if like many, you’ve already visited Belfast, check out Derry city.
Just like Belfast, Derry is steeped in history. A tour of the city is top of the list when visiting, whether it be via foot, taxi or bus. We’d recommend something incorporating the city’s murals and other iconic Derry sites, including the Free Derry Corner and Derry Girls Mural. Also, Derry is Ireland’s only completely walled city, so make sure to get a look.
Game of Thrones filming locations
Games of Thrones, which finished its run at seven series, is one of the most popular television shows of all time. And much of it was shot in different locations across Northern Ireland. This in itself has made Northern Ireland a must-visit destination for fans of the show.
From the Dark Hedges, Co Antrim, to Castle Ward and Tollymore Forest in Co Down, many of these places will be known and of interest to fans of the show. There’s plenty of information online about where these locations are.
For those who want to take the work out of it, Game of Thrones tours run from Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Newcastle to some of the most notable locations. There are different tour options, from Winterfell to Tollymore Forrest and the Iron Islands. See www.gameofthronestours.com.
The Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The Giant's Causeway.
No list of places to visit in Ulster would be complete without the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Antrim coastline.
In school we learned both the scientific explanation behind the hexagonal columns, molten lava cooled quickly by the sea to form the basalt structures and the mythical story, the causeway being stepping stones for Fionn MacCumhaill to travel to Scotland to fight a rival giant.
Either way, it’s a site to behold.
While at the Giant’s Causeway it’s also worth paying a visit to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, just 15 minutes up the road. Suspended almost 100ft above sea level, the rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen nearly 300 years ago.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace.
At the time of its opening, there was much debate about whether or not Seamus Heaney HomePlace, an experience celebrating the poet’s life and literature, should be located in rural Bellaghy where he is from or in either Belfast or Derry city, where potentially there could be more footfall.
Given that Heaney’s poetry is very much influenced by his upbringing and rooted in that rural setting, it cannot be denied that the museum is fitting in Bellaghy, located 45 minutes from both cities.
The exhibition is interactive, you get a headset upon arrival and it tells Heaney’s story through his poems. For anyone with any interest in the poetry, this is one to put on the list for sure.
Slieve League, Co Donegal
Slieve League, Donegal. \ Paul Lindsay
Pretty much all of the Donegal coastline is stunning, that’s well known. So it’s almost unfair to pick out just one part, but if pushed, Slieve League would be up there. These cliffs are three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher.
Located not far from either Kilcar or Carrick, you can park at the Slieve League Cliffs Centre or a small car park a little way up the path, but be warned the drive up is pretty steep and windy. From the viewing points, an amazing panorama opens up before you, which really, words can’t describe. On a clear day you can see across to Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo.
Getting to the highest point of Slieve League involves crossing the intimidating One Man’s Pass (you get the picture from the name) and should only be attempted by very experienced hikers.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: