Days Out in Northern Ireland

Information about Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a country in the United Kingdom known for its breath-taking natural wonders, such as the Giant’s Causeway, distinctive culture and fascinating history. It is a centre for international golf, a popular filming location for films and TV series such as Game of Thrones, and where the famous HMS Titanic was once constructed.

Northern Ireland occupies about one-sixth of the island of Ireland and is separated on the east from Scotland, another part of the United Kingdom, by the narrow North Channel, which is at one point only 13 miles (21 km) wide. The Irish Sea separates Northern Ireland from England and Wales on the east and southeast, respectively, and the Atlantic Ocean lies to the north. The southern and western borders are with the republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has a population of roughly 1,876,695 and covers 14,130 km2 (5,4 sq miles).

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast of Ireland. It is the largest city in Northern Ireland, and second largest on the island. It had a population of 333,871 in 2015.  Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education, business, and law, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. Though not as renowned as it was in the 20th century (when the Titanic was built there,) Belfast is still a major port, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard. It is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. It is listed by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network as a Gamma minus global city.