Mainland Brits, how many of you have been to N Ireland?

[loafer123]

Yes, a few times and one of my new businesses has several projects there.

I like it a lot.

[The Vambo]

Went to view a lovely old linen mill just outside Newry, liked it so much I stayed 6 months....

[anonymous-user]

Many times with work, had some cracking nights out in Belfast.

[skeeterm5]

We go quite often to visit one of our favourite restaurants which is just south of Belfast on Stangford Lough, called Balloo House. If you are in the area definitely worth a visit.

S

[freakybacon]

Yes, had a few days there a couple of years ago as stepson now lives there. Stayed in the Europa hotel (the most bombed hotel in Europe), went to the Titanic Experience (excellent, well worth spending a day there),and did the tourist open topped bus trip to see the sights. Also had a trip up to see Giants Causeway, an interesting natural site with myths/legends attached.

[downthepub]

Went over to install an Exchange server in Hughes's Tool in Castlereagh, Belfast back in 2002. Stayed at the Europa Hotel (which the locals gleefully told me was the most bombed hotel in Europe - it was very shiny and new). Really liked it there, but have, for whatever reason, never found my way back. Shame.

(Just after a quick Google, it would appear that factory shut in 2010. Nice bunch there )

[ellroy]

The Vambo said:

Went to view a lovely old linen mill just outside Newry, liked it so much I stayed 6 months....

Not much of a nightlife there, as I recall.

I spent a few months wandering round a Maze.

[drainbrain]

Used to (early 90's) 'import' underlay to the mainland from the Duralay factory in Belfast. Went over a couple of times with biz partner who was from there. Had a great time.

More recently, bought a few cars from Mulhollands in Antrim and drove a couple back myself. Boring. What a dump Larne is.

[vikingaero]

Spent a couple of weeks there a few years ago. Stayed in Bushmills. Also took in Inishowen/Donegal & Slieve League. Fantastic and would re-visit in an instance. Still very confused by the painted/patriotic/murals on houses in certain areas.

[chammyman]

Done a daytrip on the motorbike years back. It pissed down the whole time.

Just the same as here (Glasgow), wet and miserable.

Also a rip off i walked down to the giants causeway and passed on the 30 quid rope bridge crossing thing that used to be in that advert.

[MiniMan64]

vikingaero said:

Spent a couple of weeks there a few years ago. Stayed in Bushmills. Also took in Inishowen/Donegal & Slieve League. Fantastic and would re-visit in an instance. Still very confused by the painted/patriotic/murals on houses in certain areas.

Bushmills Inn?

Bushmills is viewed as an odd little place even by those who live in the area! Bizzare village considering its the the centre of the North Antrim tourist area!

[nicanary]

MiniMan64 said:

vikingaero said:

Spent a couple of weeks there a few years ago. Stayed in Bushmills. Also took in Inishowen/Donegal & Slieve League. Fantastic and would re-visit in an instance. Still very confused by the painted/patriotic/murals on houses in certain areas.

Bushmills Inn?

Bushmills is viewed as an odd little place even by those who live in the area! Bizzare village considering its the the centre of the North Antrim tourist area!

The distillery does a cracking "special reserve" single malt you can't buy in the shops, only at the distillery in person or by post. Really nice, lovely Irish whiskey peat taste. Worth visiting the village just to go to the shop.

I find Northern Ireland villages a bit different from other parts of the UK. On the whole they're not what you'd call pretty - no thatched roofs, chocolate-box type cottages. Not exactly the Cotswolds. They're more just for people who work on the farms, which when you think about it, is what they're supposed to be for. No village pubs. Virtually none. Nothing to see, in other words.

[Vocal Minority]

[quote=citizensm1th]spent a bit of time in londonderry fun it was not


never been back and have no intention of ever returning[/quote

I went to see a uni friend in 2006/7 sort of time. I rather liked it.

Lots of history, some of it alarming, all of it intriguing.


Never been to Eire though, would like to

[citizensm1th]

ellroy said:

The Vambo said:

Went to view a lovely old linen mill just outside Newry, liked it so much I stayed 6 months....

Not much of a nightlife there, as I recall.

I spent a few months wandering round a Maze.

bessbrook how lovely very picturesque

long kesh was my favourite maze in NI

[Yipper]

NI is one of the poorest places in the developed world. Violence and terror and bombs are still very common. An attempted bomb attack on Charles and Camilla was foiled just a few days ago. It is easy to see why many mainland folk see "over the water" as unexoctic or risky.

[Some Gump]

I've been a few times, all for work. There was always an air of tension as a brit visitor that means I'm unlikely to go again if not for work.

[mike80]

I've been about 10 times for work in the last 10 years, to various places, Belfast, Armagh, Enniskillen, Londonderry and lots of small towns and countryside.

My wife has been on holiday with her friends. I'd happily take her and my daughter there for a few days break.

I love the place, great scenery and all the people I've met there have been spot on.

[Eric Mc]

I'm a mainland Irish person who very rarely visited Northern Ireland, even when I lived in Ireland.

I visited on a school trip in 1967 - and was impressed as an eight year old that the policemen carried guns.

I didn't vist again until 1982 to visit the Armagh Planetarium and again in 1984 - also on a Planetarium visit. On those occasions what impressed me was the non-stop sound of Lynx and Wessex helicopters and the fact that Armagh Court House was encased in a metal cage.

I finally visited as a tourist in 2015 - what a difference. Lovely people, lovely countryside and a vow to go back again sooner rather than later.

[citizensm1th]

my time in NI left me with a physical reaction to the northern irish accent

all the hair on my body stands on end and my skin crawls ,and its worst if it is coming out of the mouth of a so called loyalist.

the southern irish accent on the other hand dosnt effect me in any way

[db]

I did a day trip to Belfast earlier this year, my 1st visit despite it being a short flight away (and home to grandparents)
An interesting city to visit, but not going to rush back.
Did the Titanic thing and was very impressed.
Spoke to our taxi driver who thought the Crumlin Rd Gaol was a better visit and can readily agree. Quite a depressing/grim experience but I'd definitenly recommend it.
The list of current Irish politicians who've stayed there was a wee bit discouraging though...

All the taxi drivers were happy to speak freely about the "Troubles" and ongoing incidents. There's still grief between religions, still Protestant and Catholic sides to roads and no go areas.

Belfast itself seemed to be all shiny new glass fronted buildings, mostly towards the docks, which are not to my liking at all. There are some older, traditional areas, but they seemed to be the exception rather than the rule.

A day visit wasn't enough to see much, but it was enough to see enough.