Cheap Hotels in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom in the North Eastern part of Ireland.  As an administrative division of the UK it has its own form of developed government in a similar manner to Wales and Scotland.  For many years Northern Ireland has been the site of a violent political conflict between those representing Nationalists (predominantly Catholic), who wish for it to be unified with the Republic of Ireland and those representing Unionists, (predominantly Protestant) who want it to remain part of the UK.

Tourism is increasing in Northern Ireland and visitor totals have risen from one and a half million in 1995 to just short of two million last year.  It is said that a large part of the attraction is that tourist venues are rarely overcrowded. 

Places to Visit in Northern Ireland

The capital Belfast has undergone a renaissance and is now a vibrant and buzzing place to visit.  It was also voted the fourth best city in the UK for a short break by the Guardian/Observer travel awards.

Derry is a walled city, which has remained intact since the historic siege of 1688.  These walls are the only fully complete city walls in Europe.  It is both a piece of history and a continuing political symbol of Northern Ireland’s divided community.

Northern Ireland has some of the finest Castles in all of Ireland, the earliest from Norman times.  Some of the most popular and finest include the medieval Carrickfergus Castle, Dunluce Castle on the famous Atrium coast, Dundrum Castle with its views to the sea and Mourne Mountains, Greencastle Royal Castle and Atrium Round Tower.

Coleraine is in Country Derry found on the River Bann.  There is great history here dating back to Ireland’s earliest known settlers, and has become a gateway to the popular Causeway Coast area.  Coleraine is also known to be a great shopping town and also attracts many visitors to its major performance theatre at the towns University.

The north Atrium coast is beautiful and on good days has some outstanding views.  You can find a distillery, world class beach, castles and many other attractions in this area.  Near by The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge runs from the mainland to a tiny island.  This precarious bridge spans an 80ft chasm and only one visitor can cross at a time.

The Giant Causeway can also be found a bit further along the north coast.  The geological wonder of basalt columns formed by volcanoes 60 million years ago has made this spot a very popular attraction.

The Mourne Mountains further south are known for sweeping and unspoilt views.  Beautiful forests, lakes, rivers and nature reserves attract walkers, pony trekkers and rock climbers.  The highest point in Northern Ireland can be found here and offers spectacular views from the summit towards England, Scotland and Ireland.

Northern Ireland boasts several stunning beaches definitely worth visiting.  The Benone Beach has seven miles of golden sand and a stunning background of mountains and cliff scenery’s.  The Portrush Whiterocks beach stretches from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle and boasts magnificent and unique limestone cliffs.  Through centuries these soft sedimentary rocks have been carved into a maze of caves and arches.  Other beaches not to be missed are Ballycastle Blue Flag Beach and Tyrellla Blue Flag Beach.

Climate in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has a temperate maritime climate.  Weather is generally unpredictable at all times of the year.  Although cloud is persistent across the region there is more rainfall in the west than the east.  Seasons are distinct although less so than interior Europe.  The damp climate and extensive deforestation in the 16th and 17th centuries has resulted in much of the region very rich in green grassland.