Break away to Northern Ireland
There are many reasons why you should visit Northern Ireland at least once in your life - here are five reasons why this autumn or winter is the right time
Follow the crowd
The number of people visiting the North from the Republic of Ireland has jumped in the past year, so why should you follow suit?
“Tourism Northern Ireland has welcomed the Central Statistics Office data (released on 22nd June) which shows a 13pc growth in overnight trips from Republic of Ireland between January and March 2017, with significant increases in revenue driven by higher-spending business and holiday visitors,” says Fiona Cunningham, ROI Market Manager at Tourism NI.
“Within these figures, pure holiday trips increased by 36pc. In the same period (January to March 2017), trips taken by UK and overseas residents increased by 8pc in the same period in 2016, with holiday trips increasing by 23pc.”
Fiona says that value for money coupled with world-class attractions such as Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway and the ‘Game of Thrones’ phenomenon right on their doorstep means that more Republic of Ireland visitors are exploring Northern Ireland, and coming back for more.
“When Sterling is weak, visitor attractions and hotels in Northern Ireland see a rise in visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Value for money is a key motivator for Republic of Ireland residents. The favourable exchange rates have helped to entice more visitors from this key market and encouraged them to spend more when holidaying in Northern Ireland.”
Atmospheric adventure
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to get out and about, and take in the magnificent orange and brown colour palette across the usually green landscape. From Glenariff Park in Co Antrim to Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co Down, there is a diverse range of picture-perfect woodland walks to explore.
RTE presenter and broadcaster
Ryan Tubridy, who recently enjoyed a visit to Titanic Belfast, was also impressed with the natural beauty of Fermanagh: “Fermanagh was a joy to visit and in particular getting out on the Erne Water Taxi. The lake was like a mirror, the sights and sounds such as father and son fishing on the banks, people out water-skiing and a rowing club going through their manoeuvres. And this was by way of getting to the restaurant for dinner! It is a great place to switch off and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.”
Not to forget, the Causeway Coastal Route is known as one of the world’s best road trips, taking its pilgrims around the North-East coast. From Belfast to Slemish, Carnlough to Ballintoy, this route will bring you to many of Northern Ireland’s sandy beaches, gorse-covered valleys and clifftop paths.
Right next door
With no airport security, passports or flights involved, getting to the North couldn’t be any easier and you don’t need to book a week or two away. Spending just a weekend there is enough time to tour around and come back home feeling refreshed and inspired.
And, good news for those who plan on using public transport to get around the North when they visit. A new customer satisfaction survey released by Translink shows that the public are on board when it comes to Northern Ireland’s bus and rail services. Public perception of the Metro service has risen to 75.9pc up from 69.1pc last year, while Ulsterbus saw an increase of 7pc in the number of customers that felt it offered value for money. NI Railways also saw its customer performance index rise from 77.6pc up to 82pc.
An eventful trip
For those with a love of all things cultural and creative, there is a variety of events taking place in Northern Ireland this autumn. Running until 28th October, the eclectic Belfast International Arts Festival has a host of exhibitions, theatre performances, talks and music shows to choose from. The MAC also has a variety of comedy, theatre, exhibitions and dance productions on from October right through to the new year, including family show, Hansel and Gretel.
To get into the spooky spirit, families can join in on the four-day celebration of the Derry Hallowe’en Festival (28th October-31st October), which is the biggest Halloween event in Europe. And, you might make it to the North just in time for the end of Oktoberfest Belfast (Friday, 20th October and Saturday, 21st October) at King’s Hall on the Lisbon Road. For more upcoming events to watch out for in Northern Ireland this autumn/winter, turn to page 16.
New experiences
This September, Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Co Derry has just celebrated its first anniversary, welcoming over 40,000 local and international visitors through its doors. But alongside regular popular attractions, many new ones have opened around Northern Ireland this year.
“Everybody knows by now that there are over 25 breathtaking filming locations for HBO’s Game of Thrones® to explore, but a new temporary installation, Game of Thrones® Season 7 Tapestry is in the Ulster Museum,” says Fiona. “The 80-metre long tapestry weaves the story so far from seasons 1-6, and it is free for fans to see. “Tourism NI are encouraging visitors to ‘Say Hello to More’ in Northern Ireland – more time for you, more special moments and more unique experiences. “There’s also the opening of new hotels and many more on the horizon, which means Northern Ireland offers excellent choice, value for money and something a little bit different. Be prepared for a warm welcome and book as early as possible to get the best deals and availability.”