Northern Ireland

Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Belfast

Population

1,724,400 ^[1]

Government

Part of the United Kingdom

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Languages

English, Irish Gaelic

Calling Code

+44

Currency

Pound sterling (GBP)

Nationality

Local name

Introduction

Staircase Belfast Castle

© All Rights Reserved Purdy

Northern Ireland, the site of overwhelming political struggle over the last fifty years (and still quite unsettled, despite positive moves toward peace), shares many common elements with the Republic of Ireland. Pubs are still a great way to be enveloped with Irish culture, as there is mostly a genuine warmth among the people. In Derry,(or Londonderry) the worst of Northern Ireland's problems are plain to see, as the area of Bogside bears the signs of an angry lower-class desperately trying to have its voice heard. Interestingly, Derry has become a popular attraction for visitors over the years, providing some hope that change may be on its way.

Northern Ireland is now having a huge economic boom which is seeing new houses, apartments, offices and entertainment centres spring up across the city. With peace has come investment and Belfast is changing forever and also attracting tourists. The City is well on its way to becoming hip and cool while the rest of the country is jumping on the bandwagon of success as the country enters a new era.

Brief History

Geography

Counties

Northern Ireland consists of six counties:

• County Antrim
• County Armagh
• County Down
• County Fermanagh
• County Londonderry
• County Tyrone

Cities

There are 5 settlements with city status in Northern Ireland:

• Armagh
• Belfast - the capital of Northern Ireland
• Derry
• Lisburn
• Newry

Sights and Activities

The Giant's Causeway

The scenery around the Giants Causeway and on the North Antrim coast can indeed be classed as some of the most majestic that you are likely to find anywhere in the world. There are not just awe inspiring cliffs sweeping down to coves and bays but also the relics of ruins such as that of Dunluce Castle (which is indeed another sight to be visited in its own right). Tiny harbour and fishing villages show that the area was indeed reliant on the coast as a form of income and food - Port Ballintray and Ballintoy being two fine examples.

Whilst the coast line is indeed majestic - it was also dangerous, many ships floundered and indeed fell battered and destroyed against these coast lines. The most infamous being the Girona from The Spanish Armada - where many Spainards lost their lives back in October 1588.

Visitors pour to the Antrim coastline to wander around and over the basalt columns of which there are an estimated 40 000. The National Trust now look after the location, running a visitor centre and charge a nominal fee for parking and entrance to the site.

The basalt columns occurred from lava outflows dating back some 62-65 million years ago. The hexagonal patterns seemingly were formed due to the excelerated cooling when the lava comes into immediate contact with water

Local folk lore has another story though as to how the causeway was formed in the the story of Finn McCool - McCool a warrior and giant was supposedly going about his daily chores when his Scottish adverary Benandonner started shouting personal insults at our Finn. Finn - Irish and so firey tempered - immediately lifted a clump of earth and threw it at the Scot challenging him. Another rock was fired over from Scotland with a threat that if they met McCool would never fight again but unfortunately Benandonner couldnt swim the channel to carry out his threat!

Finn took umbrage at this tore down 2 cliffs and began work on a causeway to get across to Scotland - once finished he called on his enemy to carry out his threat - obviously male pride and land was at stake here so the Scottish Giant had no choice but to head over and carry out his threat. McCool however was shattered - he had been up all week building the causeway and had no sleep -so he came up with a quick plan to buy himself more time - he disguised himself as a large baby in a cot and waited.

Benandonner turned up as expected shouting for the coward McCool to show himself, Mrs McCool came out and said she didnt know where her hubby was but invited the Scot to sit and have some tea and scones (which she had baked in stones). Benandonner broke his teeth on these scones - but was impressed Finn McCool must be hard to eat scones like this! But he continued eating and breaking teeth not wanting to show himself up!

He then saw the baby sleeping - a huge Giant baby and he couldnt believe his eyes - if the baby was this huge what size was his father!!!! He reached out to touch the sleeping baby - who was Finn - and had the tip of his finger bitten off! Again a shocked Benandonner felt if a babe could do this what would his father do when he turned up! Out of fear for his life he took too his heels and ran all the way back to Scotland - breaking up the causeway as he ran - never to return!

- A much better story than the scientific one l think!

^[2]

Events and Festivals

• Tennent's Vital - this "festival" has become an annual event in the Belfast events calendar - held over 2 days in August in the Botanic Gardens area of the city (close to Queens University) over the past few years acts such as Scissor Sisters, Kaiser Chiefs, Maroon 5, and Snow Patrol - to name a few have head lined the stage. More about this in the Belfast Article

Weather

Getting there

By Plane

The two main airports in Northern Ireland are Belfast International Airport (BFS) and Belfast City Airport (BHD). Destinations from this airport are mainly regional, plus some flights to North America. Major airlines in flying into Northern Ireland include Aer Lingus, Continental Airlines, easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Zoom Airlines.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Red Tape

Money

Work

Study

Language

Eat

The Exchange Bar & Restaurant

Exchange House,
Queens Quay,
Londonderry.
County Londonderry.
BT48 7AY.

Tel: 028 7127 3990

The restaurant (recently re-decorated) constantly knocks out quality delicious food. You cannot book or make reservations (unless you are a large party) but you turn up give your name and have a drink - the maximum waiting time is usually no more than half an hour.

Staff are attentive but not too oushy or in your face. Decor is dark and ultra modern. The restaurant is non smoking as is everywhere in Northern Ireland - but there is a heated patio area outside to sit have a smoke and take your drink out.

The food - its international fayre with a twist. Try the chilli steak in a pitta pocket with some tobbacco onions and garlic potatoes. The red thai curry is also very good. Or one of the all time favourites - chicken escalope, white wine and mushroom sauce again with garlic potatoes.

Price wise you are talking about £8-10 for a main course with an additional £2-3 for a side dish. The restaurant is licenced and has a good selection of wines - averaging at around £15 a bottle.

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep connected

Internet

Phone

Post