Northern Ireland Travel Guide

Northern Ireland is a land of blue mountains and forest parks, mazy lakes and windswept moors, white Atlantic sands, an inland sea. Dozens of small towns are hidden away down among the green places of the countryside, and fishing villages string out along the shores. The towers and steeples of parish churches mark the high ground beyond trimmed hedgerows.

The heritage of Northern Ireland is largely rural. Ulster people are outdoor people. They spend their leisure time pottering around the coast or going on family expeditions to the mountains at weekends. The rivers are full of fish , with friendly hotels and B&Bs along the banks to welcome anglers at the end of the day, and lively musical evenings in nearby hostelries. For golfers there are the famous fairways of championship courses and whole series of lovely links, many in enchanting cliff-top settings.

Dozens of small towns are hidden away down among the green places of the countryside, and fishing villages string out along the shores. The towers and steeples of parish churches mark the high ground beyond trimmed hedgerows. The country's turbulent past, which still resonates today, has also helped shape the landscape.

The weather can be fickle but the rain keeps the land a magical emerald green and, when the wind blows the clouds away to sea, the sky like the mountains is blue. The air is clean - and so sweet that you will want to open the car windows to let the breezes in.

There are 50 miles of cruising waters on Lough Erne , sailing on Lough Neagh - the biggest lake in the British Isles - sea fishing off Strangford and the Antrim coast , and many other Water sports. You can go cycling and pony trekking along the seashore and backpacking in the Mournes.

some places to visit;

The three historic cities of Belfast , Derry and Armagh .