Ireland is known for its Irish whiskey and a trip to the country would not be complete without visiting a distillery.
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The Dark Hedges is one of the most photographed sights in Northern Ireland, making it one of the top things to see in Northern Ireland so if you go during mid-day, you will be with a crowd of people. It is the best way to truly appreciate its beauty. We highly recommend renting a car while exploring Northern Ireland to have the freedom to visit its top attractions off-peak times. Make sure to go early in the morning to beat the rush of tour buses. They have been pruned in recent years so you will see a different view than what you are used to, but they are still worth visiting. Read more about them at The Dark Hedges of Northern Ireland – Tips to Visit and What you Need to Knowīuilt in the 18th century by the Stuart family to impress visitors as they approached their home, the Dark Hedges have endured and have become one of the staple stops for anyone visiting Northern Ireland. This lane of 90 beech trees line a country road creating a canopy of twisting branches overhead. The Dark Hedges is a short stop near the Giants Causeway, but we would have to say that they are one of Northern Ireland’s is must-see attractions. If you don’t have time to explore both Ireland and Northern Ireland, this Giant’s Causeway tour from Dublin is a day tour that showcases the highlights of popular attractions in Northern Ireland including the Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, and some time in Belfast.
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There is also parking at the Visitor Centre.
#Carrickfergus castle game of thrones free
The Giant’s Causeway is Free to Visit, but you can also go inside the Visitor Centre which has interactive displays. The Giants Causeway is one of the most extraordinary places to visit in the world at often at the top of many a bucket list by avid travelers, so it is not to be missed. As the lava dried it created nearly perfect symmetrical hexagonal pillars in the form of a staircase. The basalt columns leading out to the sea were perfectly formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. In fact, probably in most of Europe! Is something really that spectacular and deserving of the status of owning that top honor? The answer is a resounding yes! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is spectacular. Notable areas of Carrickfergus Castle worth seeing on a visit include the restored banqueting hall, medieval life exhibits and the 17th-19th century cannons which once formed part of the castle’s defences.The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. Today Carrickfergus Castle is a historic site run by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and is open to the public. Later uses of Carrickfergus Castle included being used as a prison, armoury, military garrison during World War One, and air raid shelter during World War Two. As such, significant works to Carrickfergus Castle were carried out in the 13th, 16th and 17th centuries as its needs changed. Originally built by the Anglo-Norman nobleman John de Courcy in 1177, Carrickfergus Castle was modified repeatedly over the centuries as new weapons, tactics and threats brought fresh challenges to those defending the area. Witnessing countless sieges and battles throughout history, Carrickfergus remains today an excellent example of medieval architecture, fit with numerous examples of its many years as a military stronghold. Read MoreĬarrickfergus Castle was established in the 12th century and remained a prominent stronghold in Northern Ireland for 800 years. Allow an hour or two to fully explore the ruins and soak up some of the magic. On a grey or stormy day, you’ll be surprised that the castle has survived this long in such a precarious position. Sitting atop the craggy rocks, with the blue sea crashing below, it truly does feel like something straight out of a film set. It shot to fame as the seat of House Greyjoy, the castle of Pyke, in Game of Thrones.ĭunluce is a romantic ruin today. Since then, Dunluce has been maintained by the state. The castle has its fair share of legends, including part of the kitchen collapsing into the sea, and a resident banshee, Maeve Roe, who tried to elope with her true love but drowned in the stormy seas lurking below. However, the ruins left today are from the 16th and 17th centuries, when Dunluce became the seat of Clan McDonnell, who overthrew their rivals, the McQuillans, who were Lords of Route.
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The first castle at Dunluce was built in the 13th century by Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. Dunluce Castle is a ruined castle on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland.