Northern Ireland

To make a holiday in Northern Ireland, it's important to be aware of the extensive history of the Catholic - Protestant conflict. If you watch too many movies from the 80s or older episodes of Law and Order, you may shy away from travel to Northern Ireland, which would be shame.

All you have to do to have a great trip to Northern Ireland is work on your terminology and keep your discussion topics apolitical. For example, if you are in Belfast, you are in Northern Ireland or "The North". The Republic of Ireland can be referred to as "The South."

Belfast is likely your starting point for you Northern Ireland trip. Visit Belfast and learn about the Titanic. You can visit the design offices and other historic points for the ill-fated vessel. Belfast Cathedral, Belfast Castle and Belfast City Hall all provide historic and architectural treats.

The Causeway Coast in North Antrim has fascinating sites, including the Giant's Causeway, which has a mythical explanation, involving warriors and wives, as well as a geological one, involving lava. The Giant's Causeway is made up of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Nearby, Bushmills has been distilling whiskey since 1609 and is a great place for a tour and a dram.

Derry Northern Ireland has a history of strife, which might be symbolized by the 18 foot high and 20 foot thick city wall that dates back to the early 1600s.

Omagh, in County Tyrone, is famous for the Ulster American Folk Park. This is an open-air museum that tells the story of Irish emigration from Ulster to America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Demonstrators in period attire perform their everyday tasks in a traditional manner. The site has genuinely fabricated Old and New World buildings and gives a real view into the hardships of Irish emigrants to America.

This is but a sample of what you can experience during a Northern Ireland vacation.