Would Would Else Else
Derry Girls star Kathy Kiera Clarke enjoys a cosy autumn getaway in Northern Ireland, including some of our most unique visitor attractions which took her from viewing original costumes seen in one of HBO’s most popular TV shows, to samplingwhiskeyinthebirthplaceoftheworld’smostfamousship.
You’ll find lots of inspiration from her trip to help plan your next giant adventure thiswinter.
EnniskeenEstate, Co.Down
Tour,Belfast
As a Belfast native, born and bred here, Kathy was delighted to take a trip home. “While I’ve always known this place is special, I am thrilled to see that so many people from all over the world think the same. We are truly blessed to have so many amazing places to visitandthey’rerightonourdoorstep.”
With the seasons changing, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the natural landscapes and while away the hours in a cosy snug beside a roaring fire. And that’s just what Kathy did... amongst lots of other fantastic experiences.StartinghershortbreakinBelfast,here’s whatshegotupto...
NIBlackTaxiTours
Thefirst thingI didonceI’ddroppedoff mybags, was catch a black taxi tour. Note, this isn’t just any taxi. These are the Black Taxi Tours of Belfast which delve intothecity’srichhistory Dependingonyour
interests you can enjoy tours which uncover Belfast’s cultural heritage as well as ones which share our politicalhistory.
I was amazed at our guide’s knowledge and despite coming from the city, I learned so many things I was unawareof.Oh,andthecraicwasmightyaswell.
SeedheadArtsStreetArtsWalkingTour
Arts and culture is thriving in Belfast and the city is really earning a great reputation on the international streetartstage.
That said, it was time for more culture and so I joined Seedhead Arts Street Art Walking Tour in the Cathedral Quarter. The creativity literally jumping off thewallswastrulybreath-taking.Itwasfascinatingto learn that around 60 of the world’s best street artists comehereeveryyearforafestival.
BlackTaxiTour, Belfast
StreetArtWalking Tour,Belfast
StreetArtWalking
TitanicDistillers
Like so many other visitors to my city, I simply had to make a beeline for the Titanic Quarter, and more specificallythistime,avisittoadistillerywhichmakes Irish whiskey in a location steeped in history –honestly, if the bricks at the Thompson Dry Dock and Pumphousecouldtalk,theywouldhavesomestoryto tell.
ThisdockwasthehometoTitanicforalmostayearas the famous liner was fitted out ahead of her maiden voyage. Now it is home to Titanic Distillers – Belfast’s firstworkingdistilleryinalmost90years.That’s
somethingworthdrinkingto
I learned the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition and viewed the distillery’s three Forsyth stills What is really incredible is that you can still see the pumping enginesandtheoriginalequipmentinthisbeautifully restoredbuilding
Leaving the distillery, I felt a renewed connection to my city's storied past and an appreciation for how it shapes our present The Titanic Quarter is more than just a historical site; it's a vibrant community that honoursitslegacywhileembracingthefuture.
TitanicDistillers, Belfast
TitanicDistillers, Belfast
TitanicDistillers, Belfast
GrandCentralHotel
The hotel is in the heart of the city which makes it the perfect base for exploring Belfast... That is if you can drag yourself away from the Observatory cocktail bar! It’s the highest on the island of Ireland (apparently!) and the views right across the city are just stunning. Withacupofteainhand,Icouldhavesatthereallday lookingoutacrossBelfast.
GameofThronesStudioTour
OntheoutskirtsofBanbridge,onaruralcountryroad, you will suddenly find yourself upon an attraction connected to one of the biggest television series’ on theplanet
The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is a must-visit for every fan of the show This is as close as you will come toexperiencingtheSevenKingdoms,withevery
element brought to life as you walk through what is, and was for so many years, Kings Landing and Winterfell
As I walked around the place, it felt like I was on the actual set and everyone had gone for lunch. You can see original props and costumes used in the show – it never ceases to amaze me the level of work that goes intocostumeslikethese.
The experience is both nostalgic and enlightening, offering perspective on a series that has left an indelible mark. Northern Ireland was like a central character in this amazing series, providing stunning backdrops and locations, so it is fitting that an attraction like the Studio Tour is situated here. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the lands of Westeros, this is a wonderful legacy for a wonderfulshow.
GrandCentralHotel, Belfast
GameofThronesStudio Tour,Banbridge
GameofThronesStudio Tour,Banbridge
EnniskeenEstate&ForestSpa
Mytravelstookmeintothelandofclassicchildren’s literatureandmake-believefantasyworlds–sure whereelsebutNorthernIrelandwouldyougetit!
It’sincredibletothinkthattheMournesandaroundto RostrevorwasthepartoftheworldthatinspiredC S Lewis’Narnia.ThankfullytheWhiteWitchwas nowheretobeseenwhenIvisited.
JustoutsideNewcastleliesasanctuaryofrelaxation nestledwithinthemostbeautifulnatural surroundingsyouwillfindanywhereintheworld
EnniskeenEstate&ForestSpaisaspecialplace,andI couldfeelthestressbegintoleavemybodyevenas wepulledup
Known for its stunning landscapes and exceptional spa facilities, guests can indulge in a range of revitalizingtreatmentsdesignedtopromotewellness and relaxation With a focus on holistic healing, the spa incorporates natural ingredients and techniques that draw inspiration from the surrounding environment
This is the perfect place to relax, recharge and really immerse yourself in nature My own hideaway in a luxury glamping cabin was just what I needed during mywhirlwindtourofNorthernIreland
At Enniskeen you get a sense of the fairytale world, there really is nowhere else like it Sitting by the fire with that extraordinary view in the distance is just good for the soul, while the private Wild Forest Spa experiencedoeswondersforthebody.
WildForestSpa, EnniskeenEstate
EnniskeenEstate, Co.Down
EnniskeenEstate, Co.Down
SeamusHeaneyHomePlace
I was back home to uncover unique things about NorthernIreland,andwell,therewasnoonequitelike SeamusHeaney
Itookmyowncopyofoneofhispoetrybooksalongfor my visit to the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy – the area which was the star of much of his work
As I stood in the HomePlace surrounded by many of his own personal items, I was drawn to a display containing a fountain pen. It gave me shivers to think that that was one of the pens he used to create his masterpieces.
Loremipsumdolorametsumit
Seamus Heaney is revered around the world , his fans comefromallovertovisitthisspecialplace;it’salmost likeapilgrimageforthem.We’resoluckytohaveiton ourdoorstep.
Outside, the landscape that so often inspired Heaney stretchesoutunderavastsky,andamongstthequiet its fields and hedgerows whisper stories of the past. I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of such a remarkable poet, whose work transcends time and place, inviting us all toseetheextraordinaryintheeveryday.
“Isitthepeopleorthescenery thatmakesNorthernIreland sospecial... That’saquestionthatcould sparkendlessdebate.”
SeamusHeaneyHomePlace, Bellaghy
SeamusHeaneyHomePlace, Bellaghy
SeamusHeaneyHomePlace, Bellaghy
“Formytrip,Iwantedtoexperience
NorthernIrelandasoneofthevisitorswho comeforourworldclassvisitorattractions, award-winningfoodanddrink,giant experiencesandamazingscenery.”
CausewayCoastalRoute
For an escape out of the city, you can’t beat the Causeway Coastal Route, and in particular, one of my absolutefavouritegems,theBushmillsInn.
Now, if you want somewhere cosy to escape to for some amazing food and drinks, then this is the place. Ithasthiswonderfulcharmandifyou’reluckyenough to get a seat close to the peat fire, then it can be very difficulttopullyourselfaway.
On a day when the Atlantic Ocean is crashing against the coastline and the wind is blowing, Bushmills Inn provides a wonderful sanctuary for a weary travellersomethingit’sbeendoingsincethe1600swhenitwas originallyaCoachingInn
It’s also the perfect place to relax after visits to the Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmill’s Distillery, Dunluce Castle and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which are all justastone’sthrowaway
As is the incredible Magheracross View Point This extendedviewingplatformclingstothecliffs,offering themostamazingviewsofthisruggedcoastline,from Dunluce Castle on one side and along to the White RocksBeachontheother
From here I watched the pleasure craft and fishing boatsgoabouttheirworkwhilecenturiesagotheview would have been unchanged when the Spanish Armada vessel, La Girona sank in these waters. For an escape from everything else, this is an absolute haven.
BushmillsInn, Bushmills
“I’vealreadystartedthinkingaboutwhattopackformynexttripto NorthernIreland.FromclimbingthefamousCuilcaghBoardwalk, samplingCountyArmagh’scidertowalkinginthefootstepsofgiants underthenightskyattheOMDarkSkyParkandObservatory... sure,whereelsewouldyougetit?”
TheDarkHorse, Belfast