In 1998 negotiations for the Good Friday Agreement were successfully concluded and the official signing of The Agreement famously took place at Hillsborough Castle, on 10th April. Twenty-five years later in 2023, the Castle hosted a Gala Dinner with a star-studded guestlist including Bill and Hilary Clinton, Boris Johnson and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Needless to say, much has changed in Northern Ireland over the past quarter of a century, and our tourism industry has enjoyed unparalleled growth in that time.
That resurgence is perhaps best evidenced by the transformation of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Once a shipbuilding powerhouse, the area fell into wasteland with the closing of the shipyards, but it has thankfully been reimagined and reborn during the last twenty years. It is home to Titanic Belfast, which welcomes record numbers of visitors year-on-year and has previously held the title of World’s Leading Visitor Experience.
After expanding in early 2023, this iconic experience added four exciting new galleries for visitors (new and old) to enjoy, plus an artefact collection and an illuminated 7.6m scale model of RMS Titanic (which is suspended from the ceiling and fully rotates!)
The Titanic Quarter is also home to the beautiful Titanic Hotel Belfast, transforming Harland & Wolff’s former headquarters into a spectacular hotel, boasting 119 luxurious bedrooms and welcoming visitors from around the world. The recently-opened Titanic Distillers, located in the iconic Titanic Pumphouse just walking distance from the hotel, has brought whiskey production back to Belfast for the first time in 90 years and offers immersive tours showcasing how they produce their award-winning spirits. Outside the distillery, just along the quays, visitors can climb aboard HMS Caroline, the last surviving ship from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, and experience over 100 years of history and 1000 incredible stories through its interactive exhibitions.
Nestled in the shadow of Titanic Belfast, the nearby Titanic Studios can be seen, which were home for several years to HBO's Game of Thrones, the world-famous TV series filmed in Northern Ireland. The show's legacy on the local landscape has helped attract a new audience to Northern Ireland, and fans will enjoy the many ways in which it is brought to life, including a walk along the Maritime Mile following the path of intricately designed Glass of Thrones panels, or a trip to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour located at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, County Down.
Step into Belfast's centre and discover a city transformed
Museums, walking tours, taxi tours and visitor experiences bring to life the narrative of a once troubled destination which has reinvented itself and now attracts a global audience keen to embrace its peaceful rebirth.
The world-famous Europa Hotel, once known as ‘Europe’s most bombed hotel’, today has an international reputation for four-star luxury and welcomes many VIPs visiting the region, including former US President Bill Clinton who is a regular visitor to Northern Ireland.
Tourists and locals alike can immerse themselves in the history of the city through experiences including Barney Gribbon’s If Buildings Could Talk Tour on which you are guaranteed to see and hear things about Belfast that most visitors will never be aware of, or DC Tours' "History of Terror" walking tour which explores the history of the Troubles and the subsequent path to peace taken by the city, or enjoy a ride in a black taxi with Blue Badge Tour Guide Billy Scott taking in the Peace Walls and murals across Belfast. Visit the legendary Crumlin Road Goal which once housed some of Northern Ireland’s most dangerous criminals, but today runs guided tours about its history as well as its evolution into a five-star visitor experience. Stop for a drink in the Sunflower Public House, which still features a security cage on its front door, a relic from 1980s Belfast. Live music is a staple here, as are the hearty bowls of stew.
Outside of Belfast
Beyond the capital city, there are many locations that have played a significant role in Northern Ireland's journey towards a peaceful future.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has evolved through the years from a grand family home into the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and members of the Royal Family stay at Hillsborough Castle when visiting. The castle played an important role in the Peace Process, and the historic building now hosts daily tours, encouraging visitors to explore its spectacular gardens and partake in the many events that are set here throughout the year. Like all of Northern Ireland, it has come a long way.
The Walled City of Derry~Londonderry is no stranger to the troubles and its 400-year-old walls have seen a lot of history throughout their years. Today, Northern Ireland's second city is a popular destination for city breaks, and renowned as the home of the world's largest Hallowe'en festival. From The Guildhall building, which has played a central role in city life since 1887, to the Netflix TV series Derry Girls, which now has its own experience (at The Tower Museum), the city complements the old with the new, whilst adding its own unique sense of humour. The iconic Peace Bridge connects two previously divided parts the city, with the innovative Walled City Brewery bringing tourists and craft-beer enthusiasts across to Ebrington, and those interested in the history of Derry~Londonderry enjoy a Martin McCrossan City Tour which provides interesting insight from locals.
Northern Ireland's journey towards peace has been a collective effort that required courage, empathy, and commitment. The experiences and opportunities that have emerged since 1998, including those mentioned above, have demonstrated how tourism has the ability to bridge cultural divides and contribute to the foundations of lasting peace.
Northern Ireland's premier entertainment venue, where world class entertainment comes alive!
Welcome to Titanic Belfast, an award-winning visitor experience offering the opportunity to learn about Titanic’s history, just a few minutes from where the ship herself was famously designed, built and launched in 1911. This self-guided tour tells the Titanic’s story from conception through to its first and final journey across the Atlantic, as well as the historical and cultural impact on Belfast and beyond.
The world's most authentic Titanic hotel is now open. The transformation of the legendary Harland & Wolff headquarters and spectacular Drawing Offices is now complete. Belfast's deluxe-hotel offers an unforgettable experience.
This is the city's first working distillery in almost 90 years. Explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground, before her maiden voyage. Visitors to Thompson Dock and Pumphouse will clock in, as workers did a century ago, and experience first-hand a working distillery, before listening to the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition; why it disappeared and how it has returned to the home of Titanic Distillers.
The World War One warship HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the conflict. Now a floating museum, it invites its visitors to experience the highs and lows of life at sea. By stepping onto its marvellous original deck, you are stepping back in time. Enjoy exploring real parts of the ship on your visit, like the Captain's cabins, the ward room and deck areas. Or try your hand at code breaking!
Created in official partnership with Warner Bros., the world’s first and only Game of Thrones Studio Tour has arrived in Northern Ireland. Located at the authentic filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, County Down, Game of Thrones Studio Tour invites you to experience the world of Game of Thrones like never before.
World famous 4* Europa Hotel is superbly located in the heart of Belfast City Centre, close to many top attractions. Beautifully restored, this popular international hotel offers spacious elegance and has been the choice of President Bill Clinton.
Enjoy an entertaining couple of hours discovering the secrets behind some of the buildings of Belfast, from a man who used to build them.
Try this for an interesting tour of Belfast city, which takes place in a black cab, and it's your driver who brings the story of the city to life, combining the history and character of the place with the personal experience of people who have lived there all their lives.
On the 31st March 1996 Crumlin Road Gaol slammed shut its doors for what many thought would be the final time, but, on the 19th November 2012 the chains fell off and HMP Belfast was reborn as one of Belfast's most popular visitor attractions.
Explore Northern Ireland's royal residence, where worlds and minds meet. Relax in 100 acres of picturesque gardens, explore the State Rooms still used today and indulge in delicious food and drink in our café.
Fashioned in neo-gothic style, the Guildhall is one of the most striking buildings in the North West and was originally built in 1887. The building now boasts a multifaceted tourism experience providing a central hub for visitors exploring the city
Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes!
The Tower Museum houses two permanent exhibitions: The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck - La Trinidad Valencera, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The Tower Museum is now also home to the Derry Girls Experience!
The Peace Bridge has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure and is held in high regard by locals and visitors alike for its stunning physical beauty and in equal measures for the symbolic story it represents.
On a city walking tour, join your guide as they take you around key locations in and around the only intact walled city in Ireland on a fully guided tour, lasting approximately 1 hour.
DC Tours run scheduled, private and group walking tours. Their flagship tour ‘A History of Terror’ is an award-winning and politically neutral city centre walking tour explaining the history of the Troubles and the path to peace and reconciliation.
Sunflower is a simple corner pub, it is free of gimmicks or themes, and it is one of the few remaining. It is instantly recognisable by the security cage on its front door, a relic from 1980s Belfast. Music is very much part of the pub's life.
The Walled City Brewery craft uniquely local, premium quality, fabulously flavoursome food and beer in their multi-award winning brewhouse, restaurant and new taproom. If you truly want a flavour of the North-West, it is a must-visit!
