County Antrim
Check out what's happening in Belfast City
The Giant's Causeway, famous Belfast pub The Crown, and Carrick-a-Rede on the Antrim coast
The Giant's Causeway, Bushmills, Carrick-a-Rede island and Belfast city. See them all in one short break.
Once an industrial hub with a thriving linen, engineering, ship-building, tobacco and distilling trade, the city went into decline in the late 20th century with the closure of Shorts aircraft, the Harland and Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was built, and more than 30 years of sectarian violence.
Decades of troubles put places like The Falls, Milltown Cemetery, Short Strand, Divis Flats and the most bombed hotel in the world, The Europa, on the map for all the wrong reasons.
But the ceasefire has allowed the majesty of this city to shine through to the outside world for the first time.
The city, founded in 1603 by Sir Arthur Chicester, has an architectural air of importance because of its position in the industrial revolution.
The number of imposing public buildings in its city centre and fine four and five-story Victorian warehouses where goods ranging from seeds to local linen were stored are remarkable.
Still rough at the edges, with the run-down former battle zones of Falls Road, Markets and Shankill areas, Belfast is nonetheless transforming into a trendy destination with boutique hotels, funky bars and cosmopolitan and cheaper-than-Dublin restaurants. There are even official guided tours to the Troubles most famous spots.
The city is also home to some wonderful Victorian bars such as the Crown opposite the Europa Hotel and a new Temple Bar-style area is emerging in the 'Cathedral quarter' just north of Donegall Square with restaurants and bars.
The Opera House and the new Odyssey Complex sports and entertainment centre and the regenerated Waterfront quay have all given the city a lift.
The city is walkable and the people are exceptionally friendly. Outside the city, Antrim has lots to offer with the region's most spectacular coastline and glens.
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Weather for Antrim
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The Giant's Causeway
Renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries. It harbours a wealth of local and natural history. Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site contains amphitheatres of stone columns ...
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Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
A short coastal footpath leads to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. The geology, flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of special scientific interest. Fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills breed on the islands close to the rope bridge. Of course, Carrick-a-Rede also boasts an exhilarating rope bridge ...
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