Northern Ireland received a lot of attention in the late 1960’s due to the violence that was reportedly occurring in their streets. Known as “the Troubles,” the era of car bombings, riots and killings ran for 30 years to the late 1990s. The origins of the Troubles stem from centuries of conflict between predominantly Catholic Ireland and predominantly Protestant England in which the Catholics attempted to break free of British rule. Even though it’s a dark part of the history of this country, it is important to know about before visiting Northern Ireland.
The two largest cities, Belfast and Londonderry (or Derry to locals), experienced the majority of the violence. You may have heard of “Bloody Sunday” in the early 1970s. Thirteen protestors were killed and 17 wounded in a protest in Derry. It all came to end though with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. This laid the foundation for political power sharing and an end to the decades long violence. Although the fighting has ended, it is not forgotten. Peace lines still exist, dividing communities by physical walls and murals depict the history of the violence in both Belfast and Derry.
Northern Ireland opened its door to tourism shortly thereafter and has been welcoming millions of visitors to its stunning shores. Even filming some famous shows and movies here (hello, Game of Thrones!). I had dreams of visiting as soon as I saw photos of its picturesque coastlines, world heritage sites, and ancient landmarks. My hours of research resulted in this: the culmination of everything I learned and thought I needed to know before visiting Northern Ireland. Continue reading if you’re going to be visiting here soon or are looking for inspiration for your next trip! Northern Ireland will not disappoint you. It absolutely wins my award for Most Underrated country!
Thinking about visiting the Republic of Ireland as well? This is a good source of information if you’re planning on visiting Northern Ireland’s neighbor to the South.
Know Before You Go
But what exactly do you need to know before you visiting Northern Ireland? I never like to travel to a destination “blind,” so I compiled a list of helpful information I learned throughout my stay to share with you!
If you’re flying into Northern Ireland, there are two airport options. The best one is George Best Belfast City Airport. It is located the closest to the city center. Alternatively, you could also fly into Belfast International Airport. Either airport though, will get you into the city center in less than 30 minutes.
Driving to Northern Ireland is also very easy! Nowadays, there are no official border crossings from the Republic of Ireland. However, please know, that you have to drive on the lefthand side of the road. If you’re cool with that, then this is for you! If you’re traveling from Dublin, it’s a straight shot north for about two hours. I highly recommend renting a car, simply for the ease of getting around. If you’re interested in visiting many different parts of the country as I was, than this is your best bet for getting around. Yes, there are bus tours you can take out of Belfast, but those are not the same as doing it yourself!
Bonus tip: If you are driving between the two countries, pay close attention to the speed in which you are driving! The North uses miles per hour (mph) and the Republic of Ireland, kilometers per hour (kph).
The Nitty Gritty
So, what else do you need to know before visiting Northern Ireland? There are a lot of considerations to make before you decide to travel internationally. Whether it’s your first time or 100th time outside of your respective country, it is important to know what to expect as you prepare to travel to your chosen destination. Although Northern Ireland is considered an easy country to plan for and visit, it’s always important to consider the following. Keep in mind, this list is not all inclusive, but things I thought about when planning my trip.
Language
The predominant language spoken in Northern Ireland is English. There are also two additional languages that are recognized – Irish (or Gaelic) and Ullans (Ulster Scots). With it sharing a border with The Republic of Ireland, it is understandable why Irish is spoken in the North. However, the use of Irish in these parts can be politically sensitive. But, what is Ullans? It’s a variant of Scots, brought by Scottish settlers in the 17th century. My favorite part of traveling throughout this country was stopping and listening to the locals speaking!
Visa Requirements
Determining whether or not you need a visa to visit Northern Ireland depends on where you are from, how you are traveling there, and what travel documents you are carrying with you. I found this website to be very helpful.
Currency
As part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland’s official currency is The Pound Sterling. The value of it is a 1-to-1.11 ratio with the U.S. dollar. You will also have no problem using bank notes from Scotland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands as well as Bank of England notes. I found it beneficial to have cash or coins on me for toll payments since I was driving throughout the country. Lastly, if you are also planning on visiting the Republic of Ireland, you will need to have Euros on you as well as they do not accept British Pounds.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, so you won’t need to bring a ton of cash with you. Keep in mind too, that if you use American Express, my tip is always to have a backup credit card. There are still a few places that don’t accept it.
Where To Stay?
The most important question when planning any trip! There are countless choices depending on what type of amenities and experience you prefer. From modern hotels to inns and bed and breakfasts’ on the North Coast, Northern Ireland has it all. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure to do your research! Read reviews, understand its location and proximity to attractions, and confirm availability and price. Here is a full rundown of where I stayed during my travels in this picturesque country.
- Hampton by Hilton Belfast City Center. I love how easy it is to walk to everything from this hotel! It is also modern and very inviting after traveling for over 24 hours to get to Belfast. It’s around the corner from the Europa Hotel (made famous for an IRA bombing in 1974), 10 minutes to City Hall where you can catch the Hop On/Hop Off bus, and 20 minutes to the Cathedral Quarter where you can walk along cobbled streets and check out the local murals.
- Parker House Beach & Golf in Portrush on the North Coast. Perfect townhouse for me to stay in for the weekend! It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and is conveniently located between Bushmills and Portstewart. This meant that I am able to visit all of the top places without having to spend too much time driving and traveling between them!
- Chamberlain House in Londonderry. Cute little bed and breakfast located in the heart of Derry. It is within walking distance to all the sites and restaurants in the city center. They have Wi-Fi, onsite parking and ensuite bathrooms!
No matter where you stay though, remember to soak everything in around you. It’s the memories that matter at the end of the day. You made it to Northern Ireland!
