Official tourism website for Northern Ireland

Ulster Museum
Belfast, County Antrim

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Museums

Everywhere you look in Northern Ireland there’s history to be seen. In the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway, the ancient settlement at Navan Fort, the stately country homes, the cities and events that inspire the spirit of modern Northern Ireland. Of course, the more you understand about the places you visit, the closer you feel to its people and traditions. So, check out some of the fantastic museums and visitor experiences that can help you dig beneath the surface.

All aboard for the Ulster Transport Museum

If you’re a railway enthusiast, you’ve a treat in store at the Ulster Transport Museum. There’s an impressive collection of steam locomotives, passenger carriages and goods wagons to explore. And at their Museum of Innovation, you can discover the origins behind the infamous DeLorean DMC-12 car.

Step back in time at the Ulster Folk Museum

It’s time to go back in time – by rail, if you like. Thatched cottages, authentic period buildings – including an old-time picture house, a post office and a corner shop – set the scene for life one hundred years ago. At the Ulster Folk Museum, you can try out local trades such as basket weaving or watch a blacksmith at work and meet some of the horses, donkeys and hens that kept the rural world turning.

The Tower Museum – One museum. Two tales.

Within Derry-Londonderry’s city walls, you’ll find the award-winning Tower Museum. Here, you’ll discover the story of the city from its early settlement through the Plantation of Londonderry and its growth through the 18th and 19th centuries. You can explore recent history too, looking at the development of the Civil Rights Movement and the impact of the Troubles on people living here.

Or if a piece of Spanish history interests you, follow the story of ‘La Trinidad Valencera’. One of the largest ships in the Spanish Armada, it sank off the Donegal coast in 1558 and lay on the seabed until 1971 when the wreck was discovered by divers from the City of Derry Sub-Aqua Club.

Also in Derry~Londonderry you will find the newly-opened Peacemakers Museum, located in the famous Bogside area, where some of the keys events of the conflict took place. Visit the museum and see the artefacts, archive footage and unique displays.

Enniskillen Castle Museum. Plus one.

Enniskillen Castle stands guard at one of the few passes into Ulster. So it’s always had an important strategic position in Northern Ireland’s history. Built 600 years ago, in the 17th century it became an English garrison fort and later a military barracks. Today, you can learn all about the Kingdom of Lough Erne’s rich history and its crannogs, castles and early Christian sculptures. Plus view the craftmanship of the Belleek potters. And when you visit one, you get two - visitors to the Enniskillen Castle Museum can also enjoy the Inishkillings Museum within the Castle grounds.

Headhunters Barber Shop and Railway Museum

A barber’s shop may not be the obvious location for a Railway Museum, but it works. Here, the Johnson family combine both their passions – offering haircuts while you wait. For the train, presumably.

This fascinating museum has a massive collection of railway memorabilia – from a reconstructed booking office (with ticket collector) to signals, signs and timetables. So come along and journey through the wonderful history of three of the area’s top local railway companies. Haircuts are optional. A sense of fun is essential.

The Ulster Museum – the past and the present

Dinosaurs, meteorites and modern masterpieces all have their place at Belfast’s Ulster Museum. So whether you’re an art lover, a history enthusiast, awash with childlike curiosity or an actual child, there’s something here for you.

The museum’s impressive collections take you across all disciplines to all corners of the globe. The Troubles and Beyond Gallery is a space that contains a powerful and unique collection of objects, many donated by the public, reflecting their diverse experiences of life in Northern Ireland.

HMS Caroline – a museum afloat

Based in Belfast’s famous Titanic Quarter, HMS Caroline is a First World War-era ship now restored as a floating museum. And, as the only survivor of history’s greatest naval engagement, the Battle of Jutland, it certainly has some tales to tell.

Venture down to the depths of the vessel and you’ll hear the rumbling of the ship’s original engine. Check out the carefully recreated spaces such as the Captain’s Cabins, the Sick Bay and the Galley kitchen, and hear the stories of the people who lived and worked on board. You can also stop off at the Mess Deck for a snack or two before you get back to cracking war time codes, signalling ships and evading enemy attacks.

Navan Fort – Live like a Celt

Just two miles from Armagh City and 2,000 years away from here, Navan Centre & Fort is the ancient seat of Kings and the earliest capital of Ulster.

Visit the Iron Age dwelling (open April-September) to experience life as a Celt and get up close and personal with real life warriors. You’ll hear tales of the bravest of them all, the legendary Cuchulainn and the Red Branch Knights. And learn the history of this famous archaeological site, Emain Macha, which dates back to 95BC – and is reputedly what brought St. Patrick to Armagh.

A whole world awaits in Northern Ireland’s fascinating and eclectic museums. There’s something to interest everyone. And who knows, after a visit to one of these - or one of the many others dotted across the counties - you might just be inspired to take up a new interest yourself.

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Number of results: 100

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North Coast Smokehouse Économusée

Ballycastle

Address

3/61 Leyland Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6EZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7835 403340

info@northcoastsmokehouse.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

We specialise in producing smoked foods naturally, in the picturesque coastal town of Ballycastle. Learn about the traditional craft of smoking food, how it links us to our past and how it has been adapted for the modern world.

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Ballance House

Glenavy

Address

118A Lisburn Road, Glenavy, County Antrim, BT29 4NY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9264 8492

info@theballancehouse.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Ballance House farm museum, run by The Ulster New Zealand Trust, is the restored birthplace of John Ballance, Prime Minister of New Zealand 1891-1893.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
138 reviews
Museum of Orange Heritage - Schomberg House

Belfast

Address

Schomberg House, 368 Cregagh Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT6 9EY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9070 1122

info@orangeheritage.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Museum of Orange Heritage, Schomberg House, focuses on the history and traditions of the Orange Institution, beginning with the Glorious Revolution, and travels right through until the present day.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Conway Mill

Belfast

Address

5-7 Conway Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT13 2DE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 9646

info@conwaymill.org

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

The Mill was originally built around 1842, and was one of the first linen spinning mills to be established on the Lower Falls Road.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Discover Ulster-Scots Centre

Belfast

Address

The Corn Exchange, 1-9 Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3GA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 1113

jpurse@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Cultural Centre

Get a whole different story at the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Parking (charge) - There are several parking options located close to the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre. They include: • St Anne’s Square Car Park • Exchange Street Car Park • Hill Street Car Park • Handy Park Corporation Street Car Park • Handy Park Tomb Street Car Park.
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Drumawhey Junction Railway

Donaghadee

Address

60 Upper Gransha Road, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9446 1272

trains@drumawhey.com

Type

Type:

Miniature Railway

This 7 1/4" gauge miniature railway has about 2km of track with a variety of routes including bridges, cuttings, embankments, gradients and a twin-track tunnel. There is a station, picnic tables and the ticket office includes a small shop.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Coleraine Town Hall

Coleraine

Address

The Diamond, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1DE

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Coleraine Town Hall presides over the central shopping piazza in Coleraine. Designed by Thomas Turner, the Town Hall, which is of major historical significance, was built in 1859 by McLaughlin & Harvey for £4,147(over £7m today).

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
20 reviews
Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid

Ballymena

Address

The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 5077

BraidMuseum@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Mid-Antrim Museum, offers a fascinating experience for all the family. The museum boasts two large state of the art exhibition galleries.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
The Verbal Arts Centre

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Stable Lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street Within, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6PU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7126 6946

info@theverbal.co

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

The Verbal Arts Centre is an educational charity founded in 1992 and now located in the beautifully refurbished First Derry School, a listed building which occupies a prime location on the city’s walls. The Verbal Arts Centre is Ireland’s only…

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Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
An Creagán

Omagh

Address

186 Barony Road, Creggan, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT79 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8076 1112

info@ancreagan.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Set in breath-taking surroundings you can recharge your batteries and enjoy one of the many walks and cycle trails on the grounds and take in the sights and sounds as you pedal or walk through the open landscape and forest trails. Or perhaps just…

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Craigmore Viaduct

Bessbrook

Address

Belfast to Dublin railway line, Bessbrook, County Armagh, BT35 6JR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Railway

This 18 arch viaduct, close to Newry, is a prominent feature of the south Armagh landscape.

Price
Free

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Royal Ulster Rifles Museum

Belfast

Address

2nd Floor, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2FE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 2086

rurmuseum@yahoo.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The museum tells the story of the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1793 to 1968. From the raising of the 83rd & 86th Regiment of Foot in preparation for War with France through the Indian Mutiny, Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Borneo, Cyprus.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviews
Sentry Hill Historic House & Visitor Centre

Newtownabbey

Address

40 Ballycraigy Road, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 4SX

Telephone
0300 123 7788

culture@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Sentry Hill is a 19th century farmhouse in the Parish of Carnmoney, County Antrim. The house and its contents provide a rare insight into life in rural Ulster during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

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Bellaghy Bawn

Bellaghy

Address

Castle Street, Bellaghy, County Londonderry, BT45 8LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Built around 1619 by Sir Baptist Jones, Bellaghy Bawn is a fortified house and bawn (the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house).

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
604 reviews
Ulster Aviation Society

Lisburn

Address

Via Gate 3 – Maze Long Kesh, 94 Halftown Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5RF

Telephone
074 8670 9651

bookvisit@ulsteraviationsociety.org

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Charitable society of Volunteers preserving and exhibiting Northern Ireland's aviation heritage. Unique array of 54+ aircraft & vehicles within its Heritage collection, housed within two, authentic, Second World War hangars at Maze Long Kesh, just 5…

Dates

From:

1 Mar 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 17:30

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available - FREE Wi-fi available via state-of-the-art 1.8Gb Fibre Broadband
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
292 reviews
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

Armagh

Address

College Hill, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 9DB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3752 3689

reception@armagh.ac.uk

Type

Type:

Observatory / Planetarium

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is “the place for space”. Watch an amazing Full Dome Theatre show and explore the Universe. Immerse yourself in the latest scientific research in the exhibition area and take a relaxing walk through the Astropark…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
480 reviews
Enniskillen Castle

Enniskillen

Address

Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 6632 5000

castle@fermanaghomagh.com

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires. It was strategically important throughout its history. In the 17th century it became a garrison fort and later a military barracks. Enjoy the many…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
130 reviews
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Downpatrick

Address

The Railway Station, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5779

info@downrail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Steam Railway

Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
90 reviews
Castle Archdale Country Park, Countryside Centre & War Museum

Irvinestown

Address

346 Killadeas Road, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, BT94 1PP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 6634 4803

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The country park boasts beautiful woodland and lough shore walks, an insect garden and wildflower meadow. Castle Archdale was the main flying boat base during WWII, highlighted in an exhibition in the visitor centre entitled ‘Castle Archdale at War’.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Somme Museum

Newtownards

Address

233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 3202

claire@sommeassociation.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Museum examines Ireland's role in the 1st World War with special reference to the cross-community involvement in the 3 local volunteer Divisions: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi