Heritage Island, Ireland's Visitor Attractions

The bustling dynamic city of Belfast is an excellent touring centre from which to explore Ulster’s heritage. Spend the morning enjoying many of Belfast's sights including Belfast Zoo home to more than 1200 animals.

Take an afternoon drive to Armagh where a wealth of fascinating heritage visits welcome the visitors. See the splendours of the stars at the Armagh Planetarium where the newly refurnished Space Theatre takes you to other world and beyond. The earliest history of the region is recounted at the Navan Centre and fort, once the Royal Seat of the Kings Ulster.

Combine landscape and heritage to-day with a scenic tour of the lovely Glens of Antrim. Taking the coastal route from Belfast, there are a number of interesting visits en route
such as Sentry Hill and Visitor Centre at Newtownabbey, which provides a rare insight into life in rural Ulster during the 19th and 20th Centuries. Carrickfergus Museum and The Larne Museum tell the stories of their area.

Highlight of the day must be visit to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO Heritage site of huge geological interest. Close by is the unique Carrick- a -Rede Rop Bridge, an awe- inspiring chasm to cross for the brave!

Another lovely day’s touring, this time of the Newtownards Peninsula and Strangford Lough south of Belfast. First visit of the day to the Somme Heritage Centre which tells the
story of the Irish from both communities who fought in World War I. Nearby is wonderful Mount Stewart House and Gardens, home of  the Londonderry  family since the 18th Century.

Then continue to the tip of peninsula and tiny  conservation village of Portaferry to visit the Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary before taking the short ferry crossing into Co. Down to visit firstly Castle Ward, a superb Georgian House set in 850 acres of parkland overlooking the Lough.  Return to Belfast via Crossgar and Ballyyduff.