Things To Do
VISIT, EXPLORE & ENJOY
Selected to help make your stay even more memorable
What To Do
Giants Causeway
44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, BT57 8SU Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, for centuries the Giant’s Causeway has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it.
Admission charges apply
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
107 Sea Road Castlerock County Londonderry BT51 4RP Mussenden Temple is located in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near Castlerock in County Londonderry. It perches dramatically on a 120 ft cliff top, high above the Atlantic Ocean on the north-western coast of Northern Ireland, offering spectacular views westwards over Downhill Strand towards Magilligan Point and County Donegal and to the east Castlerock beach towards Portstewart, Portrush and Fair Head.
Admission charges apply
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
119a Whitepark Road, Ballintoy, County Antrim, BT54 6LS Connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge across the Atlantic Ocean, Carrick-a-Rede Island (home to a single building - a fisherman's cottage) is the final destination. Suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above sea level, the rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen 350 years ago.
Admission charges apply
Royal Portrush Golf
Dunluce Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8JQ Founded in 1888, the legendary Royal Portrush Golf Club has two Championship Courses – the renowned Dunluce Course and the smaller but equally enjoyable Valley Course. Both command impressive views across the North Atlantic with breathtaking views of Scotland and Donegal but the golf is even more spectacular.
Admission charges apply
The Gobbins
Visitor Centre Middle Road, Islandmagee, Larne, County Antrim, BT38 3LX The Gobbins, is a spectacular coastal walk along the Causeway Coastal Route. A 2.5 hour fully guided walking tour offers visitors the opportunity to experience the abundance of nature weaving its way along the basalt cliffs of the famous Causeway Coast. You will walk suspension bridges, through a tunnel and along pathways and see the ever-changing flora and fauna along the cliff face, an abundance of wildlife is often visible.
Admission charges apply
THINGS TO SEE
Dark Hedges
Bregagh Road, Stranocum, Ballymoney, BT53 8PX It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. In fact, the iconic trees have been used as a filming location in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones®, representing the Kingsroad.
17th Century City Walls
44 Foyle Street Derry - Londonderry, BT48 6AT This is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. The Walls were built during the period 1613-1618 by the honourable, the Irish Society as defences for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland.
Binevenagh Mountain Walk
Panoramic views await you at the summit and stretch for miles. On a good day the north coast is visible, as is Scotland and if the conditions are right gliders from Ulster Gliding Club will fill the skies above. The surrounding slopes are home to a number of rare alpine plants and birds. Follow the path NW down to the forest, when you arrive at a track turn right and you will soon be back at the start.
Causeway Coastal Route
Rated as one of the Top Five Road Trips and when you drive it, you’ll know why. Start in Belfast and follow the coast road through the nine Glens of Antrim, winding between picturesque villages and unforgettable scenic locations.
Dunluce Castle
87 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8UY The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. First built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513.
Downhill & Benone Beaches
66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, BT52 1EY Downhill & Benone beaches is part of an 11km stretch of sand and surf offering a wealth of activities including water sports, scenic walks and facilities for that perfect family day out. Downhill is a Blue Flag Award Beach 2015. Cars are permitted on this beach throughout the year.
EVENTS
St Patricks Day Parade
info
17th Mar 2020
Derry Jazz Festival
The North West had the feelgood factor over the Bank Holiday weekend as upwards of 70,000 revellers were jumping and jiving at the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival. The festival welcomed both new acts and new audiences, including 80’s icon Marc Almond headlining on Friday night, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Motown Gold and Kitty La Roar, with streets, squares and venues all over the city filled with everything from jazz and blues to swing and rock.
7th – 11th May 2020
The International North West 200
The International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event. The first event’s organisers could not have imagined how the event would grow over the years. In 1964, the North West 200 event was handed over to the Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd who continues to run the event today.
TBC
Foyle Maritime Festival
Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to announce that The Foyle Maritime Festival is set to take place from Saturday 25th July until Sunday 02nd August 2020 The event will feature the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race as part of its international programme of events, making it the fifth consecutive Clipper Race that the city has hosted. Come and see why the legacy of the Foyle Maritime Festival has earned it the reputation between crews past and present for being the penultimate stop over despite fierce competition from other host cities like Cape Town, Seattle and New York among others. With a range of keynote events, live performances, visiting ships and boats as well as water activities, food trails and animated zones it’s no wonder that this award winning, nine day maritime extravaganza is one of the most eagerly anticipated events taking place in Northern Ireland in 2020.
25th Jul - 02nd Aug 2020
Waterside Half Marathon
The 38th Waterside Half Marathon returns to the city on Sunday 1st September. Starting in Ebrington Square, the route will once again take runners across the river to the cityside, showcasing our parks, greenways and bridges before finishing at St Columb’s Park. Location: St Columb’s Park, Limavady Road, Derry~Londonderry Distance: 13.1 miles Start: Ebrington Square Finish: St Columb’s Park Time: 10:00
1st Sep 2019
Culture Night
Culture Night has become one of the highlights of our events calendar. It is the evening each year when arts and cultural organisations throughout Ireland open their doors to the public with special or extended night time events, all offered free of charge.
20th Sep 2019
Legendary Motor Show
7th Annual Legenderry Motor Show in St Columb's Park, Derry/Londonderry on Sun 29th Sept in aid of Northern Irish Cancer Care. All types of cars, bikes, tractors, vans and trucks welcome.
29th Sep 2019
Slow Food Festival
The best of local, clean, fair food is on the menu as the Slow Food Festival returns. Slow Food is a global, grassroots organisation that promotes true enjoyment of good food with the commitment to community and the environment – this FREE major two-day celebration showcases the best of local, clean, fair food from across the North West. The Festival features a Slow Food Harvest Market, talks & demos, tours and tastings, street food, family fun and much more!
12th - 13th Oct 2019
Halloween Derry City
'BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN' Named as the best place in the WORLD to celebrate Halloween, nowhere does it quite like Derry. With over 125 events across seven days, there is no better place to be this October. The week long-festival caters for all holiday makers, and is the number spot to get into the spirit of things this year.
26th Oct – 1st Nov 2019
There is so much more to see and do throughout Northern Ireland and not all of the activities and sights are listed on our site. From music, art, sport and food, there's something for everyone. Please use the Discover Northern Ireland or Visit Derry website for a full list. www.discovernorthernireland.com www.visitderry.com