There is so much to see and do in Northern Ireland that a vacation there is sure to be memorable. From the Giant’s Causeway to Titanic Belfast, there are many world-famous attractions to visit, but here we look at six sensational experiences in Northern Ireland your clients may not yet have discovered.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Unless they’ve visited Northern Ireland in the last couple of months, your clients will not have been to the first-class new Game of Thrones Studio Tour. 

Situated at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, one of the acclaimed series’ original filming locations, the 110,000-square-foot interactive experience allows fans to explore a vast array of original sets, costumes, props and set pieces, with the aim of bringing visitors closer to the Seven Kingdoms than ever before.

The tour transports people into the very heart of Westeros to see breathtaking imagery and behind-the-scenes elements from the hit TV series. A must-see for fans of the series, we visited recently and we think it’s fantastic! (Read more here about the opening of the Studios Tour.)

Belfast’s world class music scene

Belfast, Northern Ireland’s cosmopolitan capital, is the 2022 UNESCO City of Music, so there’s no better time to explore the city’s burgeoning music scene.

One of many nightly music gigs in Belfast © Chris Hill Photographic

Visitors keen to get under the skin of Belfast’s music culture would do well to start on the Belfast Traditional Music Trail, which begins in the friendly Dirty Onion bar in the Cathedral Quarter, then pop into the Duke of York, a Belfast bar with live music, great Guinness and a huge selection of Irish whiskeys. Visit the Oh Yeah Music Centre creative hub, and explore the EastSide Visitor Centre, which concentrates on the high notes of the city’s musical heritage.

Ulster American Folk Park

The Ulster American Folk Park is an award-winning open-air museum just outside Omagh in County Tyrone, which tells the story of three centuries of Irish emigration.

Storytelling at the Ulster American Folk Park © Tourism Ireland

Visitors can immerse themselves in the story of the brave emigrants who made the journey across the Atlantic to America hundreds of years ago. They can wander through the thatched cottages and log cabins, meet costumed characters who will show them traditional crafts, and even board a full-scale emigrant ship to experience the conditions faced by many as they set sail for a new life in America.

Within the museum there are many restored, original buildings with connections to local families. The park was developed around Mellon House, the birthplace of Irish-American banker and lawyer Thomas Mellon, founder of the Mellon banking dynasty.

Crumlin Road Gaol Experience

Discover over 150 years of history in Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian prison! In 1996 Crumlin Road Gaol slammed shut its doors for what was thought would be the final time but, in November 2012, Belfast's prison was reborn as a major – and perhaps surprising – visitor destination.

Crumlin Road Gaol © Tourism Northern Ireland

Today Crumlin Road Gaol is one of Belfast’s top attractions, where visitors can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site, from when women and children were held within its walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners. See the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair, view all the wings from the circle and pay a visit to the condemned man’s cell.

Boatyard Distillery Tour

Situated on the beautiful banks of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, the Boatyard Distillery Tour has become one of the most popular distillery tours in Northern Ireland since it opened in 2016.

Boatyard Distillery © Donal Maloney, courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

Gin lovers are taken on a journey to discover how the finest spirits are made using only the highest quality botanicals and ingredients. The tour unlocks some of the secrets that go into making Boatyard gin and visitors get to see first-hand how Boatyard spirits bring to life the essence of Fermanagh. Meet the team, taste the gin and uncover the secret behind the distillery’s famous ‘Érainn’ copper still.

Derry-Londonderry City Walls and Peace Bridge

Derry-Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe.

Walking tour along The Walls, Derry-Londonderry © Chris Hill / VisitDerry

Built in the early 17th century by The Honourable The Irish Society as a defence for settlers from England and Scotland, The Walls, which are approximately a mile in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day.

Just a short walk from The Walls is the Peace Bridge, a visual treat and a vital stop on any Derry-Londonderry and Northern Ireland travel itinerary. Since its launch in 2011, the Peace Bridge has become an integral part of the City’s infrastructure and is held in high regard by locals and visitors alike. The elegant snaking curves tell a story of triumph over adversity, and the bridge is a symbol of peace connecting the two sides of the River Foyle.

Peace Bridge, Derry-Londonderry © Tourism Ireland

Find out more here about the many other wonderful things to see and do in Northern Ireland and if your clients would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of this wonderful part of the world, please do contact our friendly team today.