Best Things to Do in Northern Ireland

The weather never has extremes and is always temperate. The most attractive time scenically is the spring (late March to early June) and the fall (September to October). They are usually warm and dry with blossoms in the spring and colors in the fall. The summer (late June to the end of August) is a busy period.

Pound sterling

Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted. However, you may have a little more trouble using a Diner’s Club card, and Discover isn’t often accepted in Ireland.

Ireland’s main currency is the Euro. Because most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, you don’t need to take much cash. In fact, there is really no reason to get Euros before you leave the US.

Yes, depending on where you go. When measured as more than 1mm of rainfall a day, the average rainfall in the South and East of the Country is about 150 days of rain a year, while the West Coast gets about 225 days a year. This is rarely torrential and is usually mild.

Belfast is a very safe city – especially in the central area of the city, which is home to great shopping destinations, hotels, bars and restaurants. The atmosphere will feel like a small village in a metropolis, and the people are traditionally friendly and helpful. While it may be quieter than some major cities in the UK, it’s generally a safe place to walk at night, even in small groups. You should be cautious when travelling to any city destination, but Belfast is no cause for concern!

Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Belfast is situated on Northern Ireland’s eastern coast, It’s lies between latitudes 54.58 and longitude -5.93.

Belfast Map

St George’s Market: St George’s Market is the last surviving Victorian covered market in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is located on May Street, close to the River Lagan and the Waterfront Hall. Belfast Corporation commissioned the building of St George’s Market, which was built in three phases between 1890 and 1896.

Belfast City Hall:  One of Belfast’s most iconic buildings, Belfast City Hall first opened its doors in August 1906 and is Belfast’s civic building. This was designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell and was opened in 1906.

Falls Road International Wall Murals:  Murals in Northern Ireland have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions. Northern Ireland has become famous for the murals painted in almost every area of the country.

Bobby Sands Mural: The 1981 Irish hunger strike started with Sands refusing food on 1 March 1981.

Clonard Monastery: Clonard Monastery is a Catholic church and monastery, located off the Falls Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland, home to a community of the Redemptorists religious order.

Bombay Street:  In 1969, a sectarian mob burned 1,500 residents from their homes on Bombay Street, Belfast Around 1,500 Catholic families were left homeless. 

Peace Wall:  The first peace lines were built in 1969, following the outbreak of the 1969 Northern Ireland riots and the Troubles They were built as temporary structures meant to last only six months.

Shankill Road and Murals:  The Shankill Road (from Irish, Seanchill, meaning “old church” is one of the main roads leading through west Belfast.

Crumlin Road Gaol / Jail:  Crumlin Road features two imposing structures of Belfast’s criminal justice system. Crumlin Road Gaol first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 and for 150 years was a fully operational prison. On March 31, 1996, the Governor of Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol walked out of the fortified prison and the heavy air-lock gates slammed shut for the final time Please note tickets for touring the Jail are not included but are optional.

Belfast Castle:  Situated in the north of the city on the slopes of the Cavehill Country Park the castle sits 400 feet above sea level offering beautiful views of the city. You can take a short break at the Belfast castle if you like and enjoy a nice cup of tea and freshly baked scones.

The Crown Liquor Saloon: This pub in Great Victoria Street is one of the best known in Northern Ireland.  Dating back to the 1880s, The Crown is a gem of the Victorian era. Formerly known as The Liquor Saloon in Great Victoria Street, Belfast, our ageless and priceless pub was one of the mightiest Victorian Gin Palaces in the city, and still boasts many of its original features, including gaslighting.

Ulster Museum: As Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and the present, the Ulster Museum is home to a rich collection of art, history, and natural sciences and is free to all visitors. Delve into the history of the people of the north of Ireland from earliest times to the present day, get face to face with dinosaurs and up close to the famous ancient Egyptian mummy, Takabuti, and learn about how she came to arrive in Belfast in 1834.

Botanic Gardens: Botanic Gardens was established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, in response to the public interest in horticulture and botany. Originally known as the Belfast Botanic Garden, the site contained exotic tree species and impressive plant collections from the southern hemisphere, many of which can still be seen in the park.

Queen’s University: Queen’s University is a highly respected, world-renowned academic institution. It’s the main building, the Lanyon Building, which was designed by the English architect, Sir Charles Lanyon, and the university is spread across what has come to be known as the Queen’s Quarter and beyond.

Lunch Stop: We can stop for lunch in a nice Irish pub to sample our good food and maybe a cheeky pint of Guinness. Or you can sample some locally caught fish in one of the best fish and chips shops and of course not forgetting the mushy peas.

Kelly’s cellars: When socializing in the 1700’s lower classes would meet up at taverns & public houses. Oftentimes there’d be musicians working their trade, or a local person who could sing or play, and that sometimes led to dancing. 

Not much has changed at Kelly’s since then. Built-in 1720 much of the original features have been retained. So, if you’re looking for a laid-back venue rich in history, local produce and craic choose Kelly’s Cellars.

St Anne’s Cathedral and Cathedral Quarter:  Belfast Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of Belfast. The foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1899 and the building itself, Romanesque in style, continued to grow over the years. Located in the Cathedral Area of Belfast now a very trendy area with numerous restaurants and bars.

Titanic Museum and Titanic Quarter: Titanic Belfast, named the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards in 2016, is located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland and Wolff Drawing Offices, and Hamilton Graving Dock, the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.

The self-guided Titanic Experience extends over nine interpretive and interactive galleries, which explore the sights, sounds, smells, and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her. Please note tickets for touring the museum are not included but optional.

SS Nomadic: SS Nomadic is most famous for the part she played in the Titanic story when she ferried first and second-class passengers to Titanic from Cherbourg, but this was only the beginning of her extraordinary journey that stretches over 100 years.