Northern Ireland is so impressive with its landscapes that the series "Game of Thrones" was almost completely filmed here: forests, valleys and the rugged Atlantic coast. A large part of the territory is occupied by quiet old villages, life is raging only in Belfast and the town of Derry, which the locals jokingly call "Londonderry".
It is located in the northern part of the island of Ireland, but it is also a region of Great Britain. Not only Irish people live here, but also Anglo-Irish and Scotch-Irish, and they belong to different denominations: the first are Catholics, and the second and third are Protestants, like most Britons. This, as well as a different attitude to the fact that this area belongs not to Ireland, but to Britain, causes disputes and conflicts in society, the echoes of which are heard to this day. There are many young people and students in the cities of Northern Ireland, as this area of Great Britain is known for good English language schools, and in addition, it is a large European student center.
There is no direct flight to Belfast from Ukraine, but there are several connecting flights through Europe.
There are three airports in Northern Ireland: two belong to the capital city of Belfast and one to the city of Londonderry.
George Best Belfast City Airport serves domestic flights to cities in the United Kingdom and Ireland. All international flights go through Belfast International Airport. Car rental is not as well developed in the country as, for example, in neighboring Ireland, but there are still points: for example, Avis and Europcar on Great Victoria Street.
Among the natural attractions of Northern Ireland, you can highlight the "Giants' Road" - a rock formation of thousands of multifaceted basalt columns up to 6 m high.
A good option for lovers of beautiful views is a trip along the coastal highway connecting Larne and Ballycastle. It starts in the town of Carrickfergus and goes to Larne. From there, the path leads to Glenarif National Park, to the wonderful town of Cashendan. And on Rathlin Island, which lies 40 minutes from Ballycastle, you can see many birds in the Kebble National Park. Those who like to tickle their nerves will surely be pleased with the 24-meter-long Carrick Red Rope Bridge, laid between two rocks directly above the roaring sea.
The southwestern part of Northern Ireland is no less interesting than the coastal part. There is the Kule Castle, made in the neo-classical style, the Florence Court House, the Enniskillen Castle Museum. On the island of Boa, which is on the lake, there is a stone statue, an object of worship of ancient tribes. The Marble Caves, full of stalagmites, delight the eye.
Sights of Londonderry: City Wall, Harbor Museum, Guildhall, Cathedral of St. Columba and the Tower Museum. In the southeast, the national park of Oxford Island, the "Valley of Silence", the cathedral of St. Patrick in Armagh, Armagh Museum. Also - a museum of Irish riflemen and a stone statue of Kilnasaggort, dating back to 700 - the earliest evidence of Christianity in Ireland.
Excursion to Narnia
Having made a trip to the mountains of Morne located in Northern Ireland, you can (without any involvement of magical furniture) find yourself in the fantastic country of Narnia from the movie "The Lion, the Witch and the Magic Wardrobe". K. WITH. Lewis, the author of this book, was born in Belfast in 1898. An unforgettable impression on the boy was given by Little Lea, an Edwardian cottage with long dark corridors and a neglected garden, located in the eastern part of the city, in which his family lived. In addition to the mansion itself, visitors will be able to see the prototype of the lamppost in Narnia in the Crawfordsburn Country Park and Dunluce Castle on top of the rock - the fabulous Ker-Paravel.
The most popular food in restaurants in Northern Ireland is the same as in the United Kingdom: the inevitable "fish and chips" in several variations and "stew", a type of stew. However, there is also a popular local dish - assorted "ulster fry", which includes eggs, sausage, bacon, bread, tomatoes, sometimes mushrooms, all fried.
Many shops on the north coast near the town of Ballycastle sell a delicacy called "dulse" - sun-dried seaweed of a certain kind. And in August, the Lamas Fair takes place in Ballycastle, where you can buy the traditional Northern Irish honey sweetness "yellow man".
