tourist attractions antrim

Its long and fascinating history began during the late 18th and early 19th centuries when there was an upsurge of interest in botany, horticulture and gardening, encouraged by the range of new plants being brought back from the East and the Americas by plant hunters.

The formation of "Botanic Gardens' became fashionable, and gardens had already been established in Dublin and Cork when the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society was formed in February 1827. Under its president, th...

Here at Bushmills we invite you to experience for yourself the craft and skills of making an Irish single malt whiskey....

A modern zoo with a strong emphasis on conservation, the zoo's collection includes over 160 different animal species, many of them endangered. With all the traditional ingredients for a great day out, Belfast Zoo has something to offer both individuals and families. You'll enjoy the children's farm, primate and African enclosures, underwater viewing of penguins and sealions, bird park and much more....

It's entered by a gate-house, with corbelled turrets of Scottish type. To the right on entering are the pillars of a unique open loggia in the Italian style, which must have become redundant when the Great Hall was built up against it early in the 17th century. This two-storeyed hall, with fine (partially reconstructed) windows to the west, is a gracious building with finely moulded stones at parapet level which once supported the long-vanished roof. Beyond are kitchens and domestic quarters,...

The first battalions of this elite force were volunteers from other American army units based in Northern Ireland. The troops came to Carrickfergus for their initial training and induction. This force still continues its job with the American Forces throughout the world....

Glenariff Forest Park covers an area of 1185 hectares of which about 250 hectares have been left open for recreation, landscaping and conservation. In the park are two small rivers containing spectacular waterfalls, tranquil pools and stretches of fast flowing water tumbling through rocky gorges.
There's a café, toilets, and an exhibition centre. Four way-marked trails of varying length (1-9 km) wind through the forest leading you into some of the park's most beautiful wooded areas....

This burial ground bears the name of one of the town's benefactors, Charles McGarel, who also built the Town Hall at Cross Street in the town. Among the interesting graves in the cemetery is that of Henry McNeill, regarded as the founder of the modern tourist industry in Ireland.

In many of these cemeteries can be found the graves of families whose members emigrated to the United States.

For those trading their family tree there can often be reward in the form of coats of...

Today's thriving Irish linen industry, a world leader in fashion and furnishings, has its roots in the 17th century province of Ulster. Now we have a unique opportunity to trace the history of this important industry in its heartland- in the Irish Linen Centre at Lisburn Museum...

The first 'Belfast Castle' was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. On the same site a stone and timber castle was erected in 1611. This home of Sir Arthur Chichester, baron of Belfast, was burned down in 1708 leaving only street names (eg Castle Place) to mark this site....