How to See the Highlights of Northern Ireland in 2 Days ?

 If you are traveling to the island of Ireland for a 1 week or 2-week vacation, why not dedicate a few days to exploring the other country that shares the island – Northern Ireland. Now look, I understand that Northern Ireland (also called the North of Ireland) is a separate country from the Republic of Ireland. That’s exactly why I recommend visiting it. It provides a fascinating and important contrast that is intricately connected to the modern

Thanks to its compact size, you can explore some of Northern Ireland’s highlights in just two days. The north of Ireland offers an abundance of experiences that appeal to all types of travelers. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a movie buff, Northern Ireland has something special in store for you. From the legendary Giant's Causeway to the vibrant streets of Belfast, immerse yourself in the unique blend of ancient tales and modern charm.

Brief History of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of those places where you really need a basic understanding of the history to truly appreciate the destination. Much of its most impactful history is recent. For a quick history lesson, the North of Ireland is made up of six counties in the province of Ulster on the northern part of the island of Ireland. It is part of the United Kingdom (rather than Ireland) because the British government partitioned the island following Irish independence in 1922. Although the potential for Irish unity seems to be growing more popular, Northern Ireland remains under British control today,. 

Throughout the late 20th century, the north of Ireland endured periods of political conflict known as "The Troubles." Essentially, this was a 30-year period of armed conflict between opposing sides. Most commonly understood as a sectarian conflict between Northern Ireland's Catholic and Protestant communities, the reality is a bit more complicated. Religious labels were often used as shorthand to denote sides of political strife between Unionists, who wanted to be part of the UK, and Republicans or Nationalists, who wanted to be united with the Republic of Ireland (or at least independent from Britain). 

Northern Ireland functioned much like other apartheid states, where Unionists/Protestants were given more access to public services, resources, land, jobs, and education than Republicans/Catholics. The IRA is the most well-known dissident republican group from this time period, often blamed for much of the violence. Again, this is a bit of a misnomer. You must consider the fact that the Unionist side was backed by the LITERAL BRITISH EMPIRE with an immensely vast pool of military, paramilitary, and state power. This violence and division lasted for about 40 years until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brought an end to most of the upheaval.

Game of Thrones Filming Locations

Driving to the coast from Belfast takes approximately one hour through rolling countryside and bucolic farmland scenery. Along the way, there are several filming locations featured on the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones”. In general, one of the highlights of traveling in Northern Ireland is seeing the various filming locations from the show – there were lots!

You might be interested in visiting a few of the famous sites along the way. The Dark Hedges Drive is especially noteworthy, thanks to the narrow road where beech trees on both sides come together to create the illusion of a tunneled hedge. In Game of Thrones, you might recognize this location as the place where Arya Stark escaped from King’s Landing.

Dunlace Castle

Perched precariously above a steep coastline cliff, Dunluce Castle is a picturesque Irish castle that dates back 1,000 years. It was first constructed by a Norman knight, but ownership of the castle changed hands many times over the following centuries. The castle's strategic location atop a rocky outcrop made it an ideal stronghold during times of conflict. However, in 1639 a devastating fire destroyed much of the castle's structure leaving it a stone relic of its once former glory.

Now Irish castles don't quite compare to the castles I am used to seeing in Germany, but I still found Dunluce Castle to be beautiful. The castle is open to visitors, and there is an entrance fee to help maintain and preserve the site. What remains of Dunluce Castle today showcases its once grand and imposing architecture. Visitors can explore the remnants of the residential towers, curtain walls, and courtyards that once comprised this medieval fortress. Its ruinous state has this haunting beauty about it.

It was mainly inhabited in the 16th and 17th centuries by the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. The Red Wedding scene in Game of Thrones was actually inspired by a real-life fight between these families in which one family ambushed the other at a shared meal, massacring them and taking control of the castle. It also served as the set for House Greyjoy's Pyke Castle in Game of Thrones.

Northern Ireland Coastline

I knew the Irish coast would be lovely, but I don’t think I understood just how beautiful it would be. It is rugged and raw with dense clouds broken through by bright bursts of sunshine and blue sky contrasted with a seemingly fluorescent green blanket of glass and low shrubbery. A truly stunning sight. The Causeway coastal route in the North of Ireland is one of the most beautiful road trip routes imaginable.

To best appreciate it, I would strongly recommend hiring or renting a car. This will give you the ultimate flexibility to stop at every picturesque turn, hill, and cliff. There are plenty of day trip companies that offer round-trip tours of the coast if you aren’t ready to navigate it on your own. We opted to go with a and had a good experience. The buses were comfortable, and the pacing of the day trip was spot on, plus an affordable price tag.

When to Visit Northern Ireland

The best time to visit Northern Ireland is during the late spring to early autumn (May to September). The weather is milder, with longer days and less rain. Plus, Belfast really comes alive with festivals, events, and outdoor activities.

Where to Stay in Northern Ireland

For Belfast, you can really lean into the theme at the Titanic Hotel. It is a perfect choice for design lovers because this hotel is a stunner. The luxury boutique hotel sits inside the converted shipbuilding office of Harland & Wolff, the Belfast-based manufacturer that built ships in the 19th & 20th centuries–including, you guessed it, the Titanic.  

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