The history and charm of Northern Ireland
Scientific research has proven that travel makes you smarter. It forces you to think in different ways and helps you to embrace unique cultural practices. You can benefit from these by visiting Northern Ireland this autumn or winter and immersing yourself
From museums and art exhibitions to book stores and the homeplace of famous poet Seamus Heaney, there’s an enriching experience for everyone
A bookworm’s dream If browsing for book bargains in a small store filled with that old-book smell is your idea of heaven, then enter Keats & Chapmans, the only independent book reseller in Belfast city centre. The second-hand bookstore’s allure lies not only in the stories on its shelves, which include everything from classics by Dickens and Hemingway to crime thrillers, but also in its quaint design. Hidden away amidst the back alleys of the city, the shop looks relatively small from the outside. But, when you step inside, it is a labyrinth of literature, with corridors upon corridors of bookshelves to explore. Transported back in time
Anybody with an interest in vintage cars, motorbikes and locomotives will look forward to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, Holywood. At the Folk Museum, you can experience what life was like in Northern Ireland over 100 years ago, and then in the Transport Museum you can explore one of the most comprehensive transport collections in Europe. When you wander through the beautiful parkland of the Folk Museum, you’ll encounter costumed locals, who will be demonstrating traditional crafts in the cottages, farm dwellings and shops. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is spread over an area of more than 170 acres, so you will need between three to four hours to explore both the galleries and outdoor historical site. Right at home
Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co Derry celebrated its first anniversary this September, welcoming more than 40,000 visitors in its first year. The 2,000sq metre arts and literary centre, owned and operated by Mid Ulster District Council, guides visitors through the Nobel Laureate’s life and literature, sharing personal stories, photographs and artefacts. While Heaney grew to become one of Ireland’s greatest writers, he never lost the connections with his roots, and this is what
speaks to people when they visit HomePlace.
There are a number of events happening in HomePlace from now until December, one of which is based on one of Ireland’s greatest short story writers, Michael McLaverty, who died 25 years ago. On Saturday 28th October, family members and literary experts will come together to discuss McLaverty’s life, work and relationship with Heaney. To find out more, visit www.seamusheaneyhome.com.
Secret garden
Although Bangor Castle in Co Down isn’t open to the public (it is currently the headquarters of Ards and North Down Borough Council), walking through the surrounding, award-winning Bangor Castle Walled Garden is an experience in itself. Previously not open to the public, the Victorian garden, which dates back to the 1940s, has four different sections, each with its own horticultural personality. It also boasts two unique pieces of sculpture inspired by the borough’s maritime history.
CS Lewis visited North Down on many occasions throughout his life and regularly returned to the area. He enjoyed the beautiful view over Belfast Lough from the grounds of Bangor Castle. In 1998, as part of the CS Lewis Centenary Celebration, a bench was unveiled to let others appreciate the view that was enjoyed by Lewis. The garden is opened until the end of October (re-opening in April 2018) so be quick if you want to see and share the great writer’s favourite view.
Fascinating films
This month until January, The MAC Belfast is hosting the first solo presentation in Ireland by Chinese artist Cheng Ran, with his epic film work based on three real life stories of adventure, exploration and the pursuit of enigma. ‘In Course of the Miraculous’ (2015) is a film work which lasts almost eight hours and imagines the stories behind three real-life mysterious disappearances.
These include British mountaineer George Mallory, who went missing while ascending Mount Everest in 1924; artist Bas Jan Ader, who vanished during his 1975 journey across the Atlantic; and the Chinese fishing trawler Lu Rong Yu no. 2682, which in 2011 returned to land after eight months with only one-third of its original crew still alive. The film was shot across continents in the East China Sea, Tibet, Switzerland and Amsterdam, with a large-scale set created in an indoor shooting stage in Beijing to recreate the dramatic scenes at sea. To book tickets, visit www.themaclive.com.
A rail of a time
The Foyle Valley Railway Museum based in Derry City was opened in 1989, and tells the rich railway history of the city and surrounding area. Today, Derry is serviced by one railway line which terminates at the Waterside Station, but in 1900 four separate rail networks operated in and out of the City on their way to Dublin, Belfast and Donegal.
At the heart of the exhibition is a recreated railway station platform including the majestic County Donegal Railway steam locomotive ‘Columbkille’. Visitors can find out the fascinating stories of the rise and fall of the railways in the museum through exhibitions of memorabilia, including some actual trains. You can even take the opportunity to take a ride on a real County Donegal Railway diesel train, along a two-mile stretch of track alongside the River Foyle. This is a self-guided tour and the recommended time for a tour is approximately thirty minutes.
Discover Down
Learn about Co Down’s past by visiting the Down County Museum, located in the historic buildings of the eighteenth-century County Gaol of Down which once housed thousands of prisoners. Many important figures in history are closely associated with County Down, and Downpatrick in particular, but none are better known than St Patrick. Although little survives from St Patrick’s own time, the Museum includes not only related archaeological material but also historic and contemporary artwork. The museum also contains farm objects from the 1980s, such as a wooden plough from the Mournes, as well as a collection of paintings and sculptural pieces. For more information, visit www.downcountymuseum.com.
Farm life
Set around a Georgian farmhouse, the Tannaghmore Gardens Farm in Co Armagh gives visitors the opportunity to wander through tree and sculpture trails. There’s also the opportunity to get up close with a range of farm animals. Young kids will love the close encounters with livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry. Many of these breeds, such as Moiled and Dexter cattle, are now rare and close to extinction. Visitors can also stop by the Barn Museum, with its display of vintage agricultural exhibits.
The farm is right beside the Craigavon Lakes, which is perfect for a family exploration or hike, plus there is a playground nearby for kids, as well as a picnic area. Tannaghmore is also home to the ‘Kissing Gate’. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a year. Couples who have their wish fulfilled often return to pose for wedding photographs!