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Northern Ireland was once known for continuously making headlines for all of the wrong reasons. However in recent years that has slowly but surely began to change. Despite ‘the troubles’ and all the negativity that comes with it, it is a part of our history and adds to the character the country has become today. The problem is for many years this has overshadowed our beautiful “wee” country in the media.
CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL
Crumlin Road Goal is the only Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland and has been out of service since 1996. Built between 1843 and 1845 as the replacement of County Gaol in Carrickfergus, it was one of the most advanced prisons of its day and constructed with black balsalt rock. The first 106 inmates (who were men, women and children) were forced to walk approximately twelve miles from Carrickfergus Prison in chains. Seventeen prisoners were executed here, which were carried out in public view until 1901, when an execution chamber was constructed within the prisons ten acres. Across the road is Crumlin Road Courthouse, which is currently derelict due to fire damage. A tunnel under the main road connects the two buildings and was used to transport the prisoners to the courthouse.
In November 2012, the prison re-opened its doors as a tourist attraction and there is plans for restoration of the Courthouse.
Crumlin Road Gaol Tours:
Official Website
Book A Tour
History and Education
Gallery
TITANIC BELFAST
The building is located on Queen’s Island, an area of land at the entrance of Belfast Lough. It was used for many years by the shipbuilders Harland and Wolff, who built huge slipways and graving docks to accommodate the construction of both RMS ships Olympic and Titanic. The decline of shipbuilding in Belfast left much of the area wasteland, most of the disused structures on the island were demolished. Many of the site landmarks were given listed status to become national heritage sites. For over a decade the island has become known as Titanic Quarter which houses the Titanic Belfast, The SSE Arena Complex (formely Odyssey Arena), newly developed apartments and hotels aswell as state of the art education building, Titanic Film Studios and a list of smaller businesses not to mention the existing Harland and Wolff site which is home to the Samson and Goliath cranes which dominate the Belfast skyline and is one the cities most iconic features.
Titanic Quarter:
Titanic Belfast
The SSE Arena and the Odyssey Complex
Titanic Film Studios
Harland and Wolff
POLITICAL TOUR
As I previously mentioned the conflict within Northern Ireland has not only shaped the city into what it is today but has also left somewhat of a legacy which many tourists feel is important to understand. With such popular demand there are numerous political tour agents but no one is better than Paddy Campbell. For an intimate and personal experience the black taxi tour can accommodate a party of six which is very educational and provides an on the fence view of our history and an understanding of the people from Northern Ireland.
Political Tour:
Paddy Campbell Tours
TripAdvisor
THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
The Giant’s Causeway was formed some 60 million years ago when a volcanic eruption caused an arrangement of polygonal basalt columns, which is the hexagonal site we see today. Probably one of the most famous tourist attractions in Northern Ireland is known and recognised around the world and draws thousands of tourists each year. The landmark is home to myth and legend Finn McCool, the Irish giant known as Fionn mac Cumhaill, who was having some trouble with the Scottish giant Benandonner when he threatens Ireland. An enraged Finn grabs chunks of the Antrim coast and throws them into the sea to form a path for Finn to follow and teach Benandonner a lesson. Though Benandonner is terrifyingly massive. Finn beats a hasty retreat, followed by the giant, only to be saved by our hero’s quick-thinking wife who disguised him as a baby. The angry Scot saw the baby and decided if the child was that big, the daddy must be really huge.
Giant’s Causeway:
National Trust
Discover Northern Ireland
GAME OF THRONES
The producers initially considered shooting the whole series in Scotland, but eventually chose Northern Ireland because of the availability of surrounding space. The primary location was the Titanic Studios while exterior scenes were filmed in the Mourne Mountains recognised as Vaes Dothrak, Castle Ward as Winterfell, Saintfield Estates otherwise known as the Winterfell godswood, Tollymore Forest for majorit of the outdoor scenes, Cairncastle as the execution site, Magheramorne Quarry for Castle Black and at Shane’s Castle recognised as the tourney grounds.
With the success of Game of Thrones it has boosted the popularity of Northern Ireland being choice for location sets in the film industry, recently including Dracula Untold, The Fall starring Jamie Dornan and The Lost City of Z starring Charlie Hunnam and Robert Pattinson.
Game of Thrones:
Official Website
Game of Thrones Tour
About Noel Smith
I blog about life occurrences, fashion, beauty, travel, haircare, reviews and usually anything that comes to mind. I do not want to be defined by my blog and be limited to only one topic so everyday there is potential for a brand new topic to show up.
A twenty-something from Belfast, Ireland. I have an NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing so I have been exposed to the world of fashion and beauty for many years. I have always wanted to be a blogger and start a youtube channel and this year I have finally plucked up the courage to start doing it. Thank you so much for taking this journey with me and I can’t wait to see what is yet to come.
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