Neil, one of our team, enjoyed a tour of Northern Ireland recently. Here is his blog about the fantastic trip and some of the iconic attractions he visited, including Hillsborough Castle, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Titanic Belfast, Giant's Causeway and Mussenden Temple.

Iconic Mussenden Temple in Northern Ireland

Our tour of Northern Ireland began with a visit to the luxurious five star Merchant Hotel in the heart of Belfast city centre’s Cathedral Quarter. It was like stepping back in time to another era, with its incredible blend of Victorian grandeur and Art Deco sophistication. We then set off on a 20-minute road trip to Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of King Charles III in Northern Ireland.

Hillsborough Castle is built in the style of a Georgian country house

A fascinating tour of the castle revealed stores of celebration, entertainment and diplomacy, as Hillsborough is also the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the castle has witnessed pivotal moments in Northern Ireland’s history for over three hundred years. Hillsborough Castle gardens are well worth a visit, with ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and picturesque glens to explore.

Exploring the State Apartments at Hillsborough Castle

Our next stop was the incredible Game of Thrones Studio Tour, which I’ve been to before and can be enjoyed time after time, but on this visit we were here for a delicious Game of Thrones themed lunch, which was a great experience.

Table set for our Game of Thrones themed lunch

At over 100,000 square feet, the studio tour reveals the world of Westeros like never before, giving visitors of all ages the chance to walk through iconic sets of King’s Landing and Winterfell, as well as delve deep into the world behind the screen, from the earliest concepts to the jaw-dropping final cuts.

The incredible Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Back in Belfast, we headed to see Titanic’s tender ship, SS Nomadic, the last White Star Line vessel still in existence. Restored to her original glory, the ship is a must-see part of the whole Titanic Belfast experience. On board, we learned all about Nomadic's turbulent and exciting history, with active service as a mine sweeper and troop carrier in both World Wars, over fifty years’ experience carrying thousands of passengers to the world's largest Trans-Atlantic liners and nearly thirty years as a restaurant moored beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Titanic Belfast, home to SS Nomadic

We then headed to the brand new Titanic Distillery, Belfast’s first working distillery in almost 90 years, set in the heart of the famous Harland and Wolff Shipyard. As well as offering the chance to learn about and try the distillery’s award-winning spirits, there is also the opportunity to discover the story of the great shipyard and the men who worked there on a guided tour of the docks. This is sure to become one of Belfast’s most popular attractions!

Belfast with the iconic Harland and Wolff crane in the background

No trip to Northern Ireland would be complete without a visit to the iconic Giant’s Causeway, so early the next morning we set off on a pleasant 60-mile drive to the north coast. Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend.

Our tour group at Mussenden Temple

Just half an hour’s drive from the Giant’s Causeway is the distinctive Mussenden Temple, set high on the Causeway Coast - another icon of Northern Ireland. The circular temple is in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne, near Castlerock in County Londonderry, and perches dramatically on a 120 ft high cliff top above the swirling Atlantic. It was built as a library in 1785 for the 4th Earl of Bristol who was Lord Bishop of Derry. We enjoyed lunch in the unique setting of the temple, where we could look out at the spectacular views.

Spectacular views from Mussenden Temple

Our tour concluded at Galgorm Spa Experience, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury resort and spa, a 30 minute drive from Belfast. Set within 163 acres of lush parkland, with the spectacular River Maine flowing through the estate, Galgorm Resort has a truly unique setting. The resort is home to 125 luxurious guestrooms and the unique Thermal Spa Village is the first of its kind in Ireland, where guests can enjoy the tranquillity of nature and experience pure relaxation with an extensive selection of riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms and saunas.

All in all, we had a great couple of days visiting some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic attractions – some old, some new, some familiar, some less so, but all well worth visiting on a tour of this wonderful country.

Irish dancing – not to be missed on a tour of Northern Ireland!

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Northern Ireland, please do contact our friendly team and we will put together the perfect itinerary to meet your interests.