Northern Ireland is steeped in history. When you visit, you are not just miles from home, in some cases, you’ll be hundreds of years away too. Here are a few of the places that will connect you to our past, and welcome you into it too.
Ardtara Country House (4*)
Built as the family home to linen entrepreneur Harry Jackson Clark during the reign of Queen Victoria, Ardtara Country House (4*) in County Londonderry can be a home-away-from-home for your family too. Enjoy the comfort and style of a bygone era, with all the modern conveniences you would expect from a contemporary hotel. It is the perfect retreat for escaping the pressures of modern living. The firm Harry founded still operates nearby as the oldest linen manufacturer in Northern Ireland.
Belle Isle Castle (4*)
Originally called Ballymacmanus, Belle Isle Castle (4*) in County Fermanagh was once home to the old MacManus and Maguire families and has been inhabited since the 12th century. Now, extensively refurbished, you can stay in the castle, coach house and a variety of cottages located on-site. Modern amenities are mixed with antique furniture and stunning spaces, making for a truly historic experience.
Berwick Hall Cottage
This wonderfully restored eighteenth-century barn is situated adjacent to Berwick Hall. The cottage is a seventeenth-century ‘Planter’ farmhouse in County Armagh and is the oldest building still standing in the village of Moira. The owner provides tours of the two-storey thatched farmhouse, which is a fine example of a yeoman's home. He also provides cycling tours of the village of Moira which has been a settlement for over 1,500 years and the centre of a number of key historical events.
Dobbins Inn Hotel (3*)
Built in the early 13th Century by the Norman Knight Reginald D'Aubin, Dobbin’s Inn (3*) is located in the heart of the historic town of Carrickfergus, County Antrim. A listed building with strong links with the town’s Norman Castle, it has been at the centre of the town’s history for over 800 years. During its lifetime it has been a tower house, a gatehouse and a prison before eventually becoming an Inn. Many of the building’s original features still exist including the ‘Priests Hole’ and the grand Elizabethan fireplace at the reception. It is believed that a tunnel stretched from the castle to the inn, and the hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth Dobbin
Fools Haven Thatched Cottage (4*)
Fools Haven Thatched Cottage (4*) is situated on the shores of Belfast Lough at the beginning of the world famous Causeway Coastal Route, opposite the homestead of former US President Andrew Jackson. This wonderful County Antrim cottage is over 250 years old. More recently, it was home to two local children, orphaned by the Titanic tragedy. They had been sent to live with their aunt while their father sailed on board the tragic liner as an engineer. One of the children, Ruddick Millar went on to become a renowned journalist, author and playwright. He is now honoured by an historic blue plaque at the cottage.
The Homecoming Barn (4*)
This traditional barn on a working farm in County Tyrone has stunning views over the historic town of Clogher and Slieve Beagh. It retains much of the original stonework, but has been tastefully furnished and fully equipped to provide comfortable accommodation for 4/5 people. For those interested in tracing their routes, genealogical consultancy and help in tracing ancestry in the Clogher Valley and border counties is available from the owner. They provide full reference materials for visitors include maps, gravestone inscriptions, local directories, estate records and valuation data.
The Londonderry Arms (3*)
The Londonderry Arms (3*) was originally built in 1848 as a coach inn during The Great Famine. It was later owned by Winston Churchill, and during World War II it was commissioned by the army as a facility for the recuperation of wounded soldiers. The hotel still boasts original Georgian architecture, complimented by antique furniture. It has maintained its sense of old world charm with cosy lounges, paintings by local artists, antique furniture and open log fires.
The Merchant Hotel (5*)
Designed in 1857 to appear “elegant, substantial and prosperous”, The Merchant Hotel (5*) was the former headquarters of the Ulster Bank in the heart of Belfast’s mercantile and commercial centre in pre-Titanic boomtown Belfast. The nearby junction of Waring Street, Donegall Street, North Street and Bridge Street is the oldest part of the city; dubbed the Four Corners. It was from here that all milestones from Belfast were measured.
The Old Inn
Situated in Saint Patrick’s Heartland of County Down, The Old Inn is a historic hostelry that has been standing in its present form since 1614. It still retains elements of its connection with Ireland’s early Christian heritage as well as a strong seventeenth-century literary and cultural history; which has included being patronised by the likes of Jonathan Swift, Charles Dickens and C. S. Lewis.
These are just a few of the hotels, inn and cottages that open the door to Northern Ireland’s long and rich history. Let us know your favourite historical stay by sharing your stories at #discoverni.
If an award-winning gourmet break is on the top of your list, look no further than the elegant Ardtara Country House just outside the village of Upperlands, near Maghera. Luxurious from inception, the Victorian property was built by one of Northern Ireland’s wealthy linen barons and is in a picturesque setting amid woodlands and lakes.
Nestling close to the water's edge and set within a landscape of lakes and islands of gently rolling hills and fragrant woods, Belle Isle Castle provides self catering or fully catered accommodation.
A wonderfully recently restored 18th century barn located 400 metres from the historical village of Moira. The cottage is adjacent to Berwick Hall, a 17th century listed thatched farmhouse.
Perfectly located 2 minutes away from Northern Irelands oldest Castle, 20 minutes from Belfast City Centre and on the main road to the Causeway Coast. Dobbins Inn is a family run 14th century Inn full of character and charm. 15 bedrooms, each with complimentary WiFi and flat screen TVs.
This gem of a thatched cottage is over 250 years old and is situated at the start of the Causeway Coast and Glens Route, opposite the Andrew Jackson Cottage on the shores of Belfast Lough.
The newly renovated barn in a restful setting has stunning views over the historic town of Clogher and Slieve Beagh. It retains much of the original stonework, but has been tastefully furnished and fully equipped to provide accommodation for 4/5 ...
A charming traditional hotel in the small coastal village of Carnlough on the Antrim Coast Road, 14 miles north of Larne and less than an hour from Belfast. A reputation for good home-cooked food, simply and freshly prepared.
Situated in the heart of Belfast city centre's historic Cathedral Quarter, The award-winning 5 AA Red star Merchant Hotel is a harmonious blend of Victorian grandeur and Art Deco inspired sleek modernity with award-winning restaurants and cocktail bar, a tranquil spa and rooftop gym and hot tub.
The Old Inn is like home away from home, with personable service and an easy-going atmosphere. Guests can kick off their shoes and get comfortable in a guestroom that suits their mood, or amp up the luxury with suites that come with their own private hot tub. Check out the brand new Treetop Spa which is a haven of tranquility, relaxation and exclusive for hotel residents only.
