For years North Ireland It has not been on the tourist map, overshadowed by its independent sister and by its own political history, but for some time now tourism has rediscovered its attractions. !! Congratulations!!
Today, then, Northern Ireland and all its attractions await us: castles, churches, medieval routes and Game of Thrones.
North Ireland
Es part of UK, the part that failed to become independent back in the early twentieth century. For decades its political history has been marked by the confrontation between Catholics and Protestants and the terrorist action of IRA and the British military presence on the island.
What is the geography of this island with such an eventful history like? Well, in times of the Ice Age it was frozen and its winters are not very pleasant. Its heart is said to be Loch Neagh with almost 400 square kilometers, the largest of all the British Isles. There are many lakes but there are also mountainsof basalt and granite, hills and valleys.
It used to be a heavily forested territory, with oaks, pines, willows and others, but nowadays the wooded area does not even reach 10% and of the original species not one remains. A shame Geopolitically speaking there are six historic counties: Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Down and Armagh.
How do you move between those counties? Well, it is not that Northern Ireland has a super transport system, it is not the case. Moving around big cities is not difficult, but getting away from urban centers costs more and requires more organization.
What to see in Northern Ireland
As there castles and historic buildings, beaches, manor houses, museums, forests and parks and of course, the locations related to Game of Thrones. It is estimated that there are about 200 castles to visit although one must make a choice. Ours is this:
- Carrickfergus Castle: It is the largest and most famous in this territory, it is even older than Belfast, built in 1177 by John de Courcy, an Anglo-Norman invader from Ulster. It is open to the public and is worth visiting.
- Enniskillen Castle: He led many revolts against the English as it is on the Irish border. It was built by the Maguires, a Gaelic family, and with its six centuries it rests on the shores of Lake Erne.
- Dunluce Castle: It is on a rocky promontory near the sea and although it is in ruins they must be the most romantic ruins in the world. It was built in the thirteenth century, appears in The Chronicles of Narnia and you find it in County Antrim.
- Harry Avery Castle: It is in County Tyrone and is one of the few built by Irish Chief O'Neill, converted to Harry Avery. It is impressive, on a mountain, with wonderful views. It is more than six centuries old.
- Belfast castle: It does not look so much like a castle, it is in the center of the city, and was built by the Normans in the XNUMXth century. In the XNUMXth century it was the home of the Chichester family and although it was originally in the Norman style it was burned down and rebuilt in Victorian style.
- Castle Shane: is in Antrim and appears in Game of Thrones. It burned down in the XNUMXth century and the ruins can be visited.
- Monea Castle: It was rebuilt during the English Plantation years in Ireland in the XNUMXth century. Despite its history it is almost intact.
- Hillsborough Castle: It is more of a Georgian mansion built in the late 10th century. Today it is a royal palace, residence of the royal family when in Northern Ireland. It has beautiful gardens and everything can be visited for around £ XNUMX.
Beyond these castles there are others that propose walks, no longer visits. For example, you can do the Castle Ward TrailCounty Down, a two-mile path through beautiful terrain that runs from the castle to Audrey Castle, which in the Game of Thrones series is Robb's Camp. It is a XNUMXth century construction and in the coastal village you can eat good local fish.
Other castles to roam around are the Benburb Castle, Antrim Castle, Dunseverick & Dunluce Castle and the Crom Estate, for example. Do you want stay to sleep in a castle? It's possible. You can do it in the Crom Castle, in the Narrow Water Castle, five-star category, or in the Ballygally Castle, four stars and with sandy beaches on the bay of the same name, for example.
Other historical buildings that you can visit are the Northern Ireland abbeys and monastic sitesThe Camino de San Patricio passes through these lands, so here are the best religious sites to visit:
- Struell Spring- It is part of the St. Patrick's Trail and is in a valley away from Downpatrick. It has been a popular pilgrimage destination since the XNUMXth century and the waters are believed to have healing powers.
- Bonamargy Monastery: It is in County Antrim and was built by Rory MacQuillian in the 1500s. It has no roof but is in good condition.
- Inch Abbey: It is on the banks of the Quoile River and was founded by John de Courcy. What remains of the buildings dates from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
- Grey's Abbey: It was founded in 1193 and is in the funds of the Rosemount Residence. It is in ruins, but it is a beautiful place.
- Nendrum Monastery- It is also part of the San Patricio Trail and is believed to have been built by San Machoi in the XNUMXth century.
- Devenish Island: it is in the Fermanagh Lakes, far away and in ruins. For years the Vikings ravaged the area but sometime in the Middle Ages it flourished.
Beyond visiting historical sites, something that I personally love, Northern Ireland has destinations for enjoy its nature and do water sports, biking, fishing, golfing, hiking or spending the day at the beach.
Do the Coastal Route It is quite an experience, yes: it starts in Binevenagh, passes through Mountsandel, the Bushmills Distillery, the Carrick-a-rede Bridge, the Joey & Robert Memorial Gardens, Arthur's House, Rathlin Island, the Giant's Causeway… Here I stop: it is a World Heritage Site and it is a geological phenomenon with 40 thousand basalt columns formed 60 million years ago.
But above all you are interested Game of Thrones? So there is a lot to do between archery and medieval dinner experiences but also guided tours to the actual sites where the series was filmed.
The truth is that what is more fashionable is related to this HBO series but before it the history of the titanic It took all the attention and in this sense, in Belfast, I cannot forget the museum, the shipyards and all the wonderful things that Northern Ireland has built around the construction and tragedy of this legendary ship. Do not miss it!