Do people who visit Ireland bother to go to Northern Ireland

[Burningbarricade]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for your opinions on this. I live in Northern Ireland, near one of the tourist traps right beside the Giants Causeway.

I've noticed over recent years that the numbers and variety of people visiting has increased dramatically but when I read through travel forums and the like almost everyone who talks about visiting Ireland only plan to stay south of the border.

To cross the Irish border is easy. The only way you notice the difference between being in the Irish countryside and the Northern Irish countryside (apart from the North being nicer ) is that things start getting priced in Euros/Stirling.

Why then do people not travel around the whole of the island? Do people still fear the north because of the "Irish problem"?

thanks
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[Red Tape]

I didn't go into Northern Ireland, though I did want to. I spent the bulk of my time in Cork and Kerry in the Southwest, where I visited a friend. I would like to make a return trip that way and include other parts of the island that I didn't get to last time.
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[laz]

It's strange, isn't it? Maybe people still have the impression that there's trouble...

I was in Dublin recently, and needed a different option to get back to Newcastle then the available direct flights, so I half looked into getting the train to Belfast and flying from there... it seemed pretty easy to do.
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[Burningbarricade]

I would like to assure everyone that Northern Ireland is perfectly safe now. Actually Belfast is almost making an attraction of the troubles. There are bus tours which take you round some of the areas which were involved and its very interesting and the locals love it.

In fact a couple of years ago some ozzie friends of our were over in Belfast. They wanted to get some bottled water and walked into a dodgy looking pub. They described how they were looked after very well by the regulars and had a great time chatting to everyone.

There's a great buzz here at the moment. Belfast is taking off and the sites around Northern Ireland are just as good as down south. Carrick Castle, Antrim coast road (spectacular scenery and great views of Scotland), Dunluce Castle, Dundrum Castle, Giants Causeway to name just a few.

I know I'm a bit biased but the history of Ulster is also much more interesting. It's one of the most fertile parts of Ireland and therefore has been fought over by just about everyone. The Scots, the Irish, the Normans, the English, the French have all fought over this land. The Yanks even sailed an ironclad up Belfast lough and shot at Carrick Castle during the American civil war. Mind you, don't know what it was doing there!
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[vacation]

I've been to Belfast 2 years ago and did one of these tours with a kind of taxi where they take you to all the places of the former trouble. It was really interesting and the city is very nice. Although we got the advise from our guide not to be outside after sunset.
I've also travelled through the countryside and, of course, have been to Giants Causeway, and I cant remember even one problem. People have been friendly, generous and really helpful.
I can only recommend visiting the country.
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[Burningbarricade]

Not going out after sunset would be rather limiting in the winter! But thats neither here nor there. Obviously there are some places which have a higher incidence of crime than others. They tend to be the poorer areas and estates which, if you have taken the tour and seen the murals, is probably the place your guide is telling you to avoid after sunset.

Northern Ireland is pretty much exactly the same as every other civilized part of the world now. The center of Belfast/Derry/any other Northern Irish town is perfectly safe after dark. As is everywhere in the countryside.

I promise there aren't any gangs or anything that only come out after dark and hunt tourists
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[pjdscott]

As a fellow irishman (I'm Dublin born) I would heartedly support Burningbarricade's points. The north of ireland is a great place - follow the golden rules and don't mention religion or politics unless you're asked. We used to visit friends and family on both sides of the political divide during the 'Troubles' - N. Ireland is full of great people and the peace dividend is warmly deserved. We're actually going to Belfast in a couple of weeks time.

As well as Belfast, where you will find many cultural attractions and great things to do, the city of Derry is well worth a visit. Situated on picturesque Lough Foyle, it is a medieval walled town (with lots of history from both sides!) and extremely interesting. I would reccomend going by rail from Belfast - the rail line between Coleraine and Derry is beautiful. Along the way you can stop at Portrush and visit nearby Bushmills whisky (note spelling!) distillery and the Carrigarede rope bridge is not too far away.

If you do't mind me saying, perhaps 'Burningbarricade' was not the best tag to use for a topic concerning a peaceful Northern ireland - but then I also enjoy irony!!!

PJD
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[laz]

I couldn't agree more. I went to Belfast for a stag weekend a year or so back, and loved it there. Possibly because it's not been on the main stag itinerary, we were welcomed with open arms wherever we went.

I only mentioned this as a possible explanation for why more people don't visit the north and south on the same trip....
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[trev]

Only been to Ireland once, and that was mostly Dublin. One day I'll get back there, although the ferry bit doesn't exactly inspire me (get very sea sick).

However never really think about going to Northern Ireland somehow - think it's because the only place I think about there is Belfast which although as safe as any city, just has a reputation as being a bit rundown and not very touristy. It's a bit like having a holiday in Sheffield or Barnsley.

One thing however that really helps southern Ireland and hurts the north is the adverts from the Irish tourism office. They play a lot on the whole charm and friendliness of southern Ireland including the folklore etc. Since they never mention Belfast etc. the viewer could get the impression that only Dublin, Cork and related places have the scenery and tourism infrastructure built-in.

Things like the IRA etc. will hurt northern Ireland for a very long time too as it's going to take many years for people to forget what they saw on the TV every day. But if the Irish tourist board and the NI tourist board got together they could do a very good job.

Never can quite get my head around parts of "Southern Ireland" being north of "Northern Ireland" either....there's some logic there somewhere folks!

Trev
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[ilovefrance]

I live in Belfast and to be honest I find it pretty funny seeing all the tourists piling out of the buses and trying to take pictures of the murals- I suppose if you don't see them from the bus every day they're more interesting, I just don't understand why something so directly related to the violence is something you'd want to photograph...
Again, about the after dark thing, anybody who's socialising in Belfast will be out after dark, even if you're only going out to the cinema or for a meal. It's just as safe as anywhere- people walk around the city between various clubs and bars because it's cheaper than a taxi, and I've never had a problem. Obviously there are certain rough areas which are better avoided, but that's true of everywhere.
In terms of staying here, I would say a weekend is about long enough around Belfast..

[naturallynice]

yes, yes, yes, do visit Northern Ireland, what a lovely place, I lived there for 5 years and it has honestly stolen my heart, overcast weather and all!

My only regret is not staying longer!

Esther

[John_from_Eurapart]

In 2006 I visited Belfast and the Antrim Coastal road including the walk from Giant's Causeway to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge - highly recommended.
I did visit the murals in Belfast and managed to end up in a crowd in paramilitary type uniforms at the top of the Falls Road celebrating 25 years since the hunger strikers. I can't say I was very comfortable but I was if I had walked into a crowd of football supporters I would have been just as uneasy. I was surprised to find that the murals are still kept up to date with some depicting George Dubya though I guess these may change over the coming months.
The things that I found surprising were the kerb stones painted red, white and blue in some areas. Loads of bunting of Irish Tricolours and Union flags depending upon the area. Also that the border between the South and North is now very difficult to find. I was wondering why cars were getting annoyed when I was keeping to a 40 kph speed limit when in fact it was 40 mph
You miss a lot if you go to Ireland without visiting Northern Ireland.
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[Shellfishes]

Northern Ireland is great, the history of the region is really interesting, i went in January, it was very cold. (although I live in Australia, which is hot that time of year)
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[RSK4000]

I plan to take the family to Belfast in Summer 2009. All I hear about Belfast is good things. Eventually, Belfast it will end up looking like every other UK city, but until then I think Belfast will be well worth the effort!
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[naturallynice]

RSK 400,


you might want to visit my website, it is an information website, I won't sell you anything, LOL!

http://www.my-secret-northern-ireland.com/


Hope you find it interesting.

Esther
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