Archives For Northern Ireland

Road Trip to Game of Thrones Territory, Northern Ireland (Documentary)

We went on a road trip to discover all Game of Thrones shooting locations in Northern Ireland & take you along with us to Westeros in this Game of Thrones Documentary!

Together with Kristin Addis (www.bemytravelmuse.com) I went on a road trip exploring Northern Ireland and all the Game of Thrones shooting locations which have been used in the show by HBO. We went on our very own Game of Thrones Tour based on research with the help of the local Tourism Board and some of the Tour operators.

With this we show you all the Game of Thrones spots which actually exist in real life and can be explored while traveling through Northern Ireland.

Supported by our local experts Phil and James who have been involved in the filming from the first seasons we got the chance to see why the production company decided to use Northern Ireland as their main filming spot.

If you are interested in a Game of Thrones Tour in Northern Ireland make sure to checkout the related website of Ireland linked at the beginning where you’ll find all information needed.

Make sure to follow my Co-Host Kristin:
https://instagram.com/bemytravelmuse/
Snapchat: “krislikewhaat”
Web: www.bemytravelmuse.com

Northern Ireland – 10 things to do in northern Ireland

Airsoft Bangor

Airsoft Bangor

1. Airsoft- There is an airsoft training centre in balloo road. You can play many games there, such as: team deathmatch, juggernaut, free for all and various others. Cost is £10 for 1 hour or £15 for three hours (this includes gun and protective armour hire). Recommended ages 10+.

2. Pickie Fun Park- This is a fun adventure park in Bangor with amusements such as: swans, disco ducks, zorbing, mini golf and a playpark for the younger ones. There is also a café and ice cream shop and in the summer there is a hotdog and candy floss stand. All ages recommended to come to this adventure filled place.

3. Aurora- The Aurora is a water and sports themed leisure centre. At the Aurora there is many exciting things to do such as, swimming, playing in the water park, kicking in the football area, trampolining in the trampolining area and working out at the gym. After you’ve done one of these exciting things there is café where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee with your friends.

4. Walled Garden- Next to the Aurora there is a beautiful garden filled with dazzling flowers, water fountains and spectacular trees. This really is one of the most eye catching places you will find in Northern Ireland. I highly recommend this place for photographers, nature lovers and even just bring along the whole family for an experience I’m sure you won’t forget.

5. Ward Park- This is a lovely place to go out to for the day as there is a lot to do. You can play in the park, go for a walk and look at the flowers and birds they have there. Or you can go and feed the ducks or play tennis. All in all, this really is a good place to visit with your family.

6. Bangor Library- There is a library right next to Ward Park that in Bangor it is open for people of all ages. There is a kids section, an adults section and a students section. This is a really good place to stop by when going to ward park (up to 9 books can be taken at once).

Bangor library

Bangor library

7. Castle Park- This is lovely place to go for a walk, as there is a nice grassy area to have a game of football as well as there being some nice scenic routes to take. The location is also very good as it is next to the cinema and the Aurora, once again I highly recommend coming to this place for a walk.

Castle Park Bangor

Castle Park Bangor

8. Eddie Irvines- This is an indoor sports centre near Balloo where you can do many things, such as: go karting; having a game of bubble football; playing snooker or even going bowling. This is a great place to go for a kids party or even just for a nice day out.

Eddie Irvine Sports

Eddie Irvine Sports

9. Tennis at Groomsport- In Groomsport, there is a lovely tennis court next to the beach and a park, it is a lovely place to go for a barbecue or a picnic, where you can relax and have good time while the children are playing on the swings. This is another place I highly recommend for you to come if you want to go out for the day.

10. Boating Around Bangor- At Pickie Fun Park, there is a boat which you can take that brings you from Bangor, to Crawfordsburn, then back. This is another amazing experience to have and afterwards you can go into the Funpark at Pickie situated in Bangor Marina for even more fun.

Boat trips Bangor County Down

Boat trips Bangor County Down

Northern Ireland – 10 Things To Do In Northern Ireland

This is a post about 5 of the most exciting & enjoyable things to do in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

1.  Bangor Castle Walled Garden

     

This beautiful garden, which is located in Castle park, provides 2.5 acres of prestigious horticulture, entertainment for all the family, and a great day out. The garden has 4 different sections, all with different natures.

This beautiful park was designed in the 1840s, by the esteemed Ward family. It was a private garden until April 2009, when it was reopened & restored by the North Down Borough Council, and it is now one of the most reputable places in Ireland. The garden has won many awards, including the Royal Horticultural Society Reward for Permanent Landscaping.

There is free entry, and it has been open since the 3rd of April this year. It will be closed for Christmas starting at November 1st, and will reopen again April next year. 9.8/10

2. Pickie Family Fun Park

Image result for Pickie fun park

In 2012, Pickie park received what most people might call a “makeover”. With an investment of 2.6 million, Pickie was completely transformed, and is now the vibrant park that we now know of. It is one of the top 10 attractions in Northern Ireland, and it really does provide a fun day out for all the family.

Guests love the return of the old favorites, as well as some new attractions. The Pickie Puffer steam train, the huge Pickie Pedal Swans, the Park’s favorites. And the new attractions, mini-golf, splash pad, and even electric cars for the younger ones!

Pickie even has changing facilities, and a great cafe to boot. The cafe has many different foods, cold drinks, pastries, and child friendly foods too.

Pickie is a great place to go, and it really does make a memorable day out for all the family!

9.5/10

3. Crawfordsburn Country Park

The Crawfordsburn Country park is a renowned place in Northern Ireland, many people going to visit and at the very least knowing about it. Two superb beaches, a spectacular forest and even a remarkable waterfall to top it off. Crawfordsburn Country Park has a spectacular view across Belfast Lough, and a cafe. It even possesses a great visitors center for people who are curious to learn about it.

It also has a huge group of lovely animals such as squirrels, hedgehogs and even the odd badger. It is the perfect place to go for a serene nature walk. This is a fun place for the old and young alike. Everything about this Park really is astounding! 8.5/10

4. Ward Park

Ward park is a massive park boasting 37 acres of land, with many attractions. Attractions such as 10 extraordinary tennis courts, a play-park for the younger ones, cricket pitches, and a breathtaking view from the side of the marvelous lake.

There is even a sanctuary for wildlife with many different exotic birds, and a bandstand that has free music every Sunday in July and August. Everything about this special park gives you a reason to go. It is honestly a great way to spend some time walking through the park, admiring the animals or just watching your children play in the playground. 8.5/10

Eddie Irvine’s sports.

Image result for eddie irvine sports

Created in 2003, by formula 1 legend Eddie Irvine, Eddie Irvine Sports is a really great place. This sports center, family-run, is one of NI’s top sports centers. With the track being created by Eddie Irvine himself, Eddie Irvine Sports is easily the best indoor Karting venues in the whole of Northern Ireland. The Karting is suitable for newcomers, as well as people who know how to race.

Having just a Karting track would not be enough to put it on this list though, not at all. As well as having Karting tracks created by a racing legend, this sports center possesses 6 3g football pitches, a paintball arena and a laser combat arena. Also having Room2Race simulators, this is an exciting & Fun place to go, especially when you’re craving for a bit of excitement! Definitely a 9/10.

These are obviously my personal views & hopefully you have enjoyed reading them. Thank you very much for your time and I hope you come to this website again!

Top Places To Visit In Northern Ireland

When it comes to Northern Ireland our weather certainly may not be the best in the world, but there are still a few things we can be sure of.

One of the great things about Northern Ireland is it doesn’t need to be a perfect day when it comes to visiting our attractions as we are generally well prepared for the rain..

Here Are A List Of A Few Places You Should Definetely, Visit Or Things To Do When You Come To Visit Northern Ireland.. 🙂

 

portrush northern irealnd

Recently awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award in 2014, Whiterocks Beach near Portrush has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for visitors.

1. Portrush – Via Torr Head And Antrim Coast.

One of my favourite places to drive is the coast road to Portrush and if you happen to get a nice sunny day then the views are amazing.

 

2. Mount Stewart – On Portaferry Road in Ards Peninsula.

Mount Stewart is a lovely place to visit there are also visits inside the house, but only during certain months of the year so would be an idea to find out when it will be open before visiting.

 

3. Ferry From Portaferry To Strangford.

You can drive from Newtownards or Bangor along the coast to Portaferry when you get there, then drive onto the ferry and go across to Strangford. From Strangford you are not very far away from Downpatrick, Newcastle and lots of other places that are in or around that area.

 

4. A Visit To Slieve Donard Park In Newcastle And A Hike Up The Mourne Mountains.

This is a lovely location for a walk up the mountain along the stream or is also really good for mountain biking with some crazy downhill paths on the way down. ( Not For Novice Mountain Bikers)

 

5. A Visit To Murloch Nature Reserve In Newcastle.

Again Murloch Nature Reserve is a nice place to go for a walk and you have the lovely view of the sea and the Mourne Mountains as well.

tillamore forest park

The Shimna River flows through the forest and it’s a great place for a picnic.

 

6. Visit To Tollymore Forest Park In Newcastle.

Definitely worth a visit 🙂 It is one of the best kept secrets around  Mourne  Slieve Dorard Area. It is known for it’s outstanding beauty. It is a place to relax, camp and take lots of pictures of the beautiful and wild natural surroundings. You have may be heard about from the movie “Game of Thrones” . It’s scenic views are good enough for a multi million production, but also a remarkable place for a nice long walk.Enjoy!

 

7. A Walk In The Silent Valley 15 Miles Outside Newcastle.

You have to walk in Silent Valley, to understand why it is called Silent Valley (Highly recommended one of my Favourite places)

 

8. A Visit To Scrabo Tower In Newtownards.

This place was a few miles from where I used to Live, in Newtownards has a bit of history to it also worth a visit.As a part of the Scrabo Park the Tower can be seen from many places in the area. If you are a fan of incredible views and stunning a few hours in the park will create nice memories.

 

9. A Walk Around Grounds Of Stormont In Dundonald.

This is the location of Northern Ireland’s parliament Buildings. As well as a picturesque place surrounded with beautiful trees the Stormbound grounds are popular among locals as a great location for taking a nice walk. If you are in the area of Stormont Estate I highly recommend you to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

 

the old inn crawfordsurn

The Old Inn is a great place to enjoy lunch or dinner

10. Lunch Or Dinner In The Old Inn In Crawfordsburn.

“The Old Inn” is one of the oldest hotels in Northern  Ireland. It offers a unique venue for any occasion with it’s original features. Located  in the  heart of the Crawfordsburn Country park “the Old Inn” is a comfortable and luxurious place to enjoy a nice diner or lunch in a tranquil settings.

11. Lunch Or Dinner Traditional Style In McBrides On The Square In Comber.

Comber is a very small town in Co.Down, but it would be a great place to stop for lunch if you are touring around County Down I highly recommend you to stop there for a nice traditional lunch. The staff are incredibly friendly and they will create a meal for your requirements. You will leave feeling well looked after.

drawing room the culloden hotel, Cultra

the Drawing room at the Culloden hotel is a perfect way to enjoy your afternoon

12. Afternoon Tea In The Culloden Hotel Cultra In  The Drawing Room.

If have heard of any place in Northern Ireland you are very likely to have heard of the The Culloden Hotel  in Cultra. Nicely located on the slopes of the Holywood hills, overlooking the Belfast Lough the Culloden Hotel is a perfect location for an afternoon tea. The Drawing room has a unique set up and a very informal and relaxing way to spend a few hours of your afternoon. It is also nice in a late evening after a long busy day.

 

13. A Visit To Belfast Castle On The Antrim Road Belfast.

Belfast Castle is located on one of the highest spots in Belfast. apart from amazing surroundings you will also enjoy breathtaking views. You will feel inspired by the beautiful gardens and breathtaking views. If you are in Belfast, Belfast castle is a place to visit and enjoy.

 

14. A Visit To The Ulster Folk And Transport Museum In Holywood

You have all heard of the Titanic , but going to the Ulster Folk And Transport Museum In Holywood will expand your knowledge about transportation in Ulster. It is a wonderful place to visit with the family, if you have young children as the all the areas are child friendly and the all the outdoors offer lots of space for them to run about and enjoy. As well as an indoor and outdoor museum the place is also very popular for seasonal venues where you can join in and enjoy.

15. A Visit To The Ulster Museum In Belfast.

Ulster Museum is the National Museum in Belfast  and it’s located in Botanic gardens. It explores modern history  and art. It is a free place to visit and if you happen to be here in a rainy day it would make a good day out. If you are interested in history I highly recommend you to visit it.

 

 

Sir Thomas and  Lady Dixon Park

Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park

16. A Walk Around Lady Dixon Park Off Upper Malone Road In Finaghy.

This is a place to visit in the summer. Remarkable garden with incredible collection of roses and plants this parks is one of the most popular parks  in Northern Ireland. There are rolling meadows, wild woodland and it is also a home of a wide range of animal and plants. The park also contains camellia trials, Japanese-style garden, walled garden with water features which are ideal for some quiet time.

 

17. The Marble Arch Caves In County Fermanagh.

The caves are a rare gem and a place to truly create memories with your loved ones. Make sure you book in advance to ensure all the weather conditions are in order. Visiting a cave might me a daunting activity, but once you get there it’s worth every effort. The caves themselves are of unknown age but date back in part over 380,000 years and if you are interested in stones and glaciers is a must see place.

 

18. A Visit To Delamont Park Near Downpatrick.

Delamount park offers stunning views across the Lough to the Mourne Mountains. It is a perfect place to visit with the family. During the summer there are activities for everyone to enjoy, including a trip around the park in a mini train, outdoor adventure playground, BBQ area, boat trips along the Lough. Spending a few hours in the park of a whole day would be a day to remember for you and everybody in the family.

 

19.A Visit To The Odyssey arena Arena In Belfast And A Visit To W5.

The Odyssey arena is the biggest venue hall in Northern Ireland and a place where some of the most popular shows and presentations take place. During the day the arena is also a place with a good choice of restaurants, bowling room, but the most remarkable place is the Discovery centre at W5. This is a place for children to learn about almost anything in the most fun and interactive way.  As well as the paid interactive show, there is also a free season events for the family to enjoy.

 A Visit To Carrickfergus Castle

Carrickfergus Castle in the evening

20. A Visit To Carrickfergus Castle.

Carrickfergus castle is located in Carrickfergus and if you are coming from Belfast, may be on your way to Portrush you will enjoy taking a walk around it. There are also visiting hours so you can visit it inside. You can learn more about the history and spend a few hours in unique surroundings.

 

21. A Visit To Queens University In Belfast.

The Queens University is one of the most popular and beautiful buildings in Belfast. It’s architecture is unique and it is one of the land marks of Belfast. The Lanyon Building located in the grounds of the university are open to anybody and you can enjoy exhibition by local artists.

 Botanic Gardens In Belfast

22. A Visit To Botanic Gardens In Belfast.

Botanic gardens is a home of many tropical plants and a wide collection of plants, that are unique and a must see. The gardens are also a venue for events, concerts and workshops. Highly recommended!

 

A Few Tips To Remember When Visiting Northern Ireland.

 

1. Things tend to get a bit heated in July most people from Northern Ireland Either Join In Or Leave On Vacation during this time.  So unless you are a fan of bands, drunks and bonfires you may want to avoid Northern Ireland at this time of year.

2. May And June normally, tend to have slightly better weather and can end up getting a few nice sunny days around this time of year.

3. Bring a raincoat just in case and keep an umbrella handy 🙂

4. Be careful there are a few areas of Belfast better to avoid just in case if in doubt ask the locals ..

5.Enjoy yourself and go with the flow!

 

 

 

Top Places To Visit In Northern Ireland

Things to do in Northern Ireland: The Magic Hill at Spelga Dam

Spelga Dam is an awesome sight just 20 miles away from Newcastle definetely worth a visit not forgetting a trip to the silent valley as well

Northern Ireland,Giants Causeway,Carlingford,Lough,Foyle,Strangford,Antrim,Titanic,Belfast

Here are a few famous places you really need to see the coastal route to Portrush via Torr Head has some amazing views too.

Slieve Binnian, Mournes, Northern Ireland

No trip to Northern Ireland would be complete without a trip to visit the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle .

Mourne Mountains

Spelga Dam In The Snow

Here is a video of Spelga Dam in the snow.

 

For more ideas of things to do in Northern Ireland make sure you visit things to do in Northern Ireland .

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. The region has a temperate maritime climate and is well-known for its natural beauty. Belfast is the capital and the largest city in Northern Ireland. It has an international airport and is well-connected with the rest of the world. Derry, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Bangor are other cities in Northern Ireland.

Here is a brief overview of some famous tourist places in Northern Ireland.

Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway is the result of a volcanic eruption. This World Heritage Site comprises tens of thousands of interlocking basalt columns. This wonder of nature is located in the Antrim County on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.

(By Man vyi (Own work (own photo)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

Belfast

Belfast is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland War Memorial, The Crown Liquor Saloon, The Grand Opera House, Ulster Hall, Odyssey and Ulster Museum are some popular tourist attractions of Belfast.

Dunluce Castle

This medieval castle was built in the late middle ages (1300-1500). Currently it is in ruins. Located in the Antrim County, this castle is surrounded by steep drops on either side.

Lough Neagh

This large freshwater lake is located 20 miles to the west of Belfast. Covering an area of around 392 sq km, it is the largest lake in the British Isles. You can indulge in water sports and many other activities like fishing, boat rides, cycling, golf, horseback riding, skiing, shooting and paintball.

St.Anne’s Cathedral

This sacred cathedral was consecrated in the year 1904. You can find the largest Celtic Cross in Ireland here. This cathedral held a memorial service shortly after the sinking of Titanic.

Ulster Museum

Located in Belfast, this beautiful museum features treasures from the Spanish Armada, collections of fine art and applied art, ethnography and archeology. It is the largest museum in Northern Ireland.

 Rathlin Island

This isolated island is off the coast of the Antrim County and is at the northernmost point of the Northern Ireland. If you are seeking peace and tranquility, away from the city life, this is the ideal place for you.

Northern Ireland is well-known for the warmth of its people and its unique and beautiful cities. Visit to Northern Ireland is a memorable experience.
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