So far we've made two visits to Northern Ireland, not counting driving through to get to the ferry terminal for our holiday in Scotland. The first was an overnight stay for Gabe's seventh birthday last July. The second was a day trip for Aiden's birthday this month. There is so much to see and do in such a small country that I'm sure we'll visit more, but here are the highlights from our travels so far.
Birthday in Belfast
Gabe wanted to go to a natural history museum or a planetarium for his birthday, followed by mini golf, bowling, and jumping. The museums in Dublin are still closed (though part of the natural history museum reopened in August), so I looked into options in Northern Ireland. There is a planetarium in Armagh in the southern part of the country, but we decided to stick to Belfast for the birthday festivities.
We went to the Ulster Museum first for our natural history. I could go back to that museum over and over. There was so much to do and, like so many museums in Europe, admission was free (though it's worth any donation!). The dinosaur portion that Gabe wanted most was very small, but the Elements section was amazing.
We didn't spend too long at the museum because we had to get to the play portion of the day. There is a chain of entertainment centers here called Airtastic. While mostly similar, there are some differences between the locations. As luck would have it, the Belfast location had all three activities Gabe wanted: mini golf, bowling, and inflatables for jumping. He wanted his theme to be space and dinosaurs, and the mini golf just happened to be space themed. How perfect!
Castles, Giants, and Hedges, Oh My!
Sunday we drove to the north coast. Our first stop was Dunluce Castle, beautiful ruins situated right on the edges of gorgeous cliffs. The castle was a filming site for Game of Thrones, but it's worth a visit on its own merit. Some of the drop-offs were downright terrifying, and anyone can see how this castle demanded respect from its visitors.
From Dunluce Castle, we drove a few minutes along the coast to Giant's Causeway. I was a bit disenchanted when we viewed the amazing rock formations along with dozens and dozens of strangers, but a friend who stayed nearby later that same month assures me the site is much less busy first thing in the morning, so do with that information what you will. If you plan on visiting the visitor center and/or parking on site, you need to make reservations online; they cannot take payment on site. The visitor center was neat, and my family enjoyed the audio tour, but it is not necessary to enjoy the causeway, especially if you didn't drive yourself.
It is a decent walk from the visitor center to the causeway, but there are points of interest along the way, particularly if you are doing the audio tour, but there is a shuttle if you are okay waiting (sometimes the line was long). If you are unsteady on your feet, do not climb out on the rocks. I got stuck getting down because my legs chose that moment to go weak. I made it down eventually, and I don't regret going up, but learn from my experience. There is a fantastic hike and a couple cliff walks, one of which stays at the top, if stairs aren't your friend. Stairs aren't my friend, but I made it all the way up and don't regret it, even if it was stressful. Overall, the area is beautiful and magical, and the folklore that accompanies it enhances the experience. The site is definitely worth the stop, but plan ahead.
Before we returned to Ireland, we stopped at another popular film and photography site, The Dark Hedges. Oh, how I wish it had been foggy when we went! This is another site that attracts a lot of visitors, in large part because it is a Game of Thrones filming site. Local traffic is allowed on the road, but that doesn't stop tourists from spoiling the view with their vehicles if they feel like it. We were lucky and found ourselves behind a photographer who had blocked off the path temporarily for his photos. A dozen of us stood behind him taking advantage of the clear path to capture our own pictures. The hedges are not so mysterious on a clear, bright day, but it is a gorgeous site, and I would love to go back.
Finally, the Planetarium
Aiden also wanted to go to a planetarium for his birthday, so we finally made it to the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. This is a fantastic place. We have been to a lot of planetariums, and this is one of my absolute favorites. The exhibit hall is very small, but the exhibits are extremely well done. There is a sensory room that I have an overwhelming urge to recreate in my own home.
The planetarium show we saw was so great. Not only was the cinematography fantastic, but the information was incredibly educational, and it didn't talk down to the audience. Unlike every other planetarium I've been in, the seats were all facing the same direction. Usually, the seats are situated in the round. I imagine the seats closer to the front don't make for the most awe-inspiring viewing experience, so try to sit near the back.
The observatory grounds are pretty and fairly extensive. There are educational elements, like a solar system walk. There is also a short forest path. We want to go back in warmer weather and spend a lot more time exploring outside. Armagh is probably the prettiest town I've seen yet in Northern Ireland, and I'd like to explore a bit more as well.
Northern Ireland
I admit I judged Northern Ireland harshly during our first trip, but I cannot deny that it hosts many treasures, natural and manmade. There is so much more I want to see in that little country, and I have no excuses, since it is just the two of us Irelands on this island.
Have you been to Northern Ireland? Are there any Northern Ireland destinations on your bucket list?
