Like the southern part of the glorious Emerald Isle, Northern Ireland is packed with breath-taking landscapes and natural wonders, fascinating historic sites, outstanding fishing locations and much, much more. Here are what we consider to be some of the top tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway
Considered to be the most popular and intriguing tourist destination in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a large area of staircase-shaped rocks surrounded by many myths and legends. Created by volcanic eruptions more than 65 million years ago, this site is a not-to-be-missed geological wonder visited by millions of tourists from around the world every year.
Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Belfast museum spans nine galleries, with multiple exhibition dimensions. Combining dark rides, special effects and full-scale reconstructions with innovative interactive features, this fantastic visitor attraction allows you to explore the Titanic’s story from her early 1900s conception in Belfast, construction and launch to her ill-famed maiden voyage and tragic demise and beyond in a fresh, insightful way. Going beyond the sinking’s aftermath to the wreck’s discovery, this compelling, must-experience journey through history continues (within the Ocean Exploration Centre) all the way into the present.
A wonderful experience for old and young alike, the Ulster American Folk Park takes you from Ulster’s thatched cottages via a full-scale emigrant ship to the American Frontier’s log cabins. Bringing Irish emigration to life, this park allows you to immerse yourself in three centuries of history, meet costumed characters showing traditional crafts, telling long-forgotten tales and sharing their food and more.
Devenish Island
Home to a 6th Century monastic site, Devenish Island is one of the many islands on Lough Erne. Raided by Vikings in 837AD, burned in 1157AD and flourishing as an Augustine priory (St Mary’s) and parish church site during the Middle Ages, the site features a wonderful collection of 12th, 15th and 16th Century ruins no-one interested in historic and religious sites should miss.
Cuilcagh Mountain Trail
Consisting of almost 300 hectares (741.32 acres) of internationally important species and habitats; magnificent geological features including Monastir Gorge, the Cuilcagh (volcanic) Dyke and, of course, the imposing cliffs of Cuilcagh Mountain, as well as the stunningly beautiful townlands of Legacurragh, Legg and Gortmaconnell, Cuilcagh Mountain Park offers an opportunity to explore one of Northern Ireland’s few wilderness areas via a network of walking routes and hill walking trails – an experience not to be missed!
Tollymore Forest Park
Home to an array of architectural treasures – including gate piers topped by stone cones, gothic-style gates/gate arches and a barn that has been dressed up to give the appearance of a church – influenced by Thomas Wright (1711-1786) of Durham (the highly individualistic designer and friend of Tollymore’s owner at the time, Lord Clanbrassil), Tollymore Forest Park is a rare and beautiful treat every visitor to Northern Ireland should see.
Marble Arch Caves
Explore a fascinating natural wonderworld of underground rivers, lofty chambers and winding passages at Marble Arch Caves, one of the most magnificent show caves in Europe. Offering visitors the chance to take a lively, informative guide tour along spectacular walkways and a subterranean river to witness a bewildering array of stunningly beautiful cave formations, the site also includes an exhibition area where visitors can enjoy free audio-visual presentations, a regular events programme, souvenir shop, restaurant and more. A wonderful place promising a fascinating day out for the whole family!
Enniskillen Castle
No visit to Northern Ireland is complete without a visit to Enniskillen Castle. Situated on the banks of the River Erne,County Fermanagh, the castle built nearly 600 years ago and has been of strategic importance throughout its history. Today, this historic site is home to two museums, The Inniskillings Museum & Fermanagh Visitor Information Centre and the Fermanagh County Museum, both of which are packed with a wealth of treasures not to be missed out on.
Dunluce Castle
Bearing witness to its long, tumultuous history, the iconic Dunluce Castle ruins are all that now remains of the imposing castle that was first built on County Antrim’s dramatic coastal cliffs by the MacQuillan family in the early 16th Century (earliest written records of Dunluce castle date back to 1513). A must for history buffs, this site also offers stunning natural beauty and magnificent coastal views.
W5 Belfast
If you’re visiting Northern Ireland with children, W5 Belfast, Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre is a must with 4 incredible exhibition areas featuring more than 250 simply amazing interactive exhibits offering fantastic fun and unique experiences for visitors of any age. On top of permanent exhibits and a changing programme of temporary small & large-scale exhibitions, W5 also offers a packed daily programme of live shows and science demonstrations – the perfect recipe for a fantastic family day out!
Crumlin Road Gaol
Dating back to 1845, the Crumlin Road Gaol working prison, which closed its doors in 1996, is a must for anyone interested in Ireland’s history. Following extensive renovations, it has now re-opened as a conference centre and visitor attraction. Take a guided tour to learn about the prison’s long, dark history and see all the wings, the tunnel connecting it to the courthouse, the “condemned man’s cell” and the execution cell (where most of the men executed here were hanged) and get the opportunity to sit in the gaol governor’s chair.
Space does not allow us to list all of Northern Ireland’s many wonderful attractions, but you should definitely also consider scheduling visits to Florence Court (Enniskillen), Mussenden Temple (Castlerock), Bonamargie Friary (Ballycastle) and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge (Ballintoy) into your stay.
Somewhere Convenient to Stay 
Conveniently situated within easy to reach distances of everything Northern Ireland offers, the Dulrush Fishing Lodge on Lough Erne’s shores (Co. Fermanagh) makes a wonderful base for exploring these and many other magnificent attractions, as well as, of course Irish fishing holidays.
