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: 98

, currently showing 41 to 60.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviews
Ulster Transport Museum

Holywood

Address

153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £12.00 to £35.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Celebrate the history of invention and innovation through engineering, design, and technology at the Ulster Transport Museum. Check out the famous DeLorean, a Ferguson tractor and the motorbikes of some of Northern Ireland's biggest road racing…

Price
Price £12.00 to £35.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
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)
Banana Block

Belfast

Address

Portview Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1HE

info@bananablock.org

Type

Type:

Event Venue

A space for celebrating eccentric histories and creating incredible futures. We have no Bananas but. we have a Record Store, A mushroom Farm, Cheese Makers, A pop up cafe space, a Banana Ring, Banana beer and an incredible line up of local artists…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
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.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
221 reviews
Kingspan Stadium and The Nevin Spence Centre

Belfast

Address

Kingspan Stadium, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, County Antrim, BT6 0DG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9049 3222

Nevinspencecentre@ulsterrugby.com

Type

Type:

Sports Ground

Journey through the history of rugby in Ulster with a self-guided tour of The Nevin Spence Centre. Using archive objects, footage and interactives, visitors can discover the roots of Ulster Rugby.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
148 reviews
Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum

Lisburn

Address

Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 1AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9266 3377

Ilc.reception@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum is an award-winning museum located in Market Square, Lisburn. The permanent exhibition Flax to Fabric traces the story of linen from Ancient Egyptian times to present day.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Museum at The Mill

Newtownabbey

Address

Mossley Mill Civic Centre, Carnmoney Road North, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 5QA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9034 0129

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

Museum at The Mill invites visitors of all ages to explore the history and heritage of Mossley Mill, a flax spinning mill in County Antrim which dates back to the early 1800s.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
136 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Ballymoney Museum

Ballymoney

Address

Town Hall, 1 Townhead Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 6BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2766 0230

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

From the Mesolithic to Motorcycles, through rebellion and war, politics, industry, sport and a whole lot more discover the fascinating history of the town and the surrounding areas.

Dates

From:

1 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Parking (charge) - Townhead Street Car Park is adjacent to building
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
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.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
78 reviews
Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum

Belfast

Address

21 Talbot Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 0392

info@niwarmemorial.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Discover the story of Northern Ireland during the Second World War. The Northern Ireland War Memorial (NIWM) is an engaging and welcoming accredited museum that provides a window on Northern Ireland's key role in the Second World War and the impact…

Dates

From:

3 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
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
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.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Nautilus Centre

Kilkeel

Address

Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4AX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

mscskilkeel@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Nautilus Centre overlooks Kilkeel's busy and picturesque fishing port and houses the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre, Kilkeel Visitor Information Centre, Tracing Your Mourne Roots Exhibition and the Mourne Seafood Cookery School.

More Info
Facilities

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

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
40 reviews
EastSide Visitor Centre

Belfast

Address

402 Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 90451900

visitorcentre@eastsidepartnership.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

EastSide Visitor Centre provides a base from which visitors can explore the east of the city. Visitors can access information on attractions from digital screens with interpretation panels and a wall map.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 08:00 - 18:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
George Best House

Belfast

Address

16 Burren Way, Belfast, County Antrim, BT6 0DW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 1900

bookings@georgebesthouse.com

Price
Price £16.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Local Heroes

Guided tours of George Best House are available to book and are led by expert local EastSide Tour Guides. Tours last 45-minutes. Adult tickets are priced £12, Children tickets (ages 5-18) are priced £7 and Children under 5 go free with no booking…

Price
Price £16.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Peacemakers Museum

Derry~Londonderry

Address

The Gasyard Heritage Centre, 128 Lecky Road, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6NP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7126 2812

info@peacemakersmuseumderry.com

Price
Price Free to £8.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Peacemakers Museum focuses on how the North of Ireland moved from decades of violent conflict to the peace we all enjoy and maintain today.

Dates

Price
Price Free to £8.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
31 reviews
James Connolly Visitor Centre | Áras Uí Chonghaile

Belfast

Address

374 - 376 Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6DG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9099 1005

info@arasuichonghaile.com

Price
Price £10.00 to £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Áras Uí Chonghaile | The James Connolly Visitor is an award-winning modern, inspirational, visitor centre located only yards from where James Connolly, a leading Trade Unionist, Socialist and Republican and an iconic figure in Irish history, lived…

Price
Price £10.00 to £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Harland & Wolff Cranes - Samson and Goliath

Belfast

Address

Queen's Island, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9DU

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

Although not officially classed as wonders of the world, the two massive cranes in Harland and Wolff Belfast, which serve one of the world’s largest Building Docks, are certainly masterpieces of engineering.

Price
Free

More Info
Annalong Cornmill

Annalong

Address

Marine Park, Annalong, County Down, BT34 4QG

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

annalong.cornmill@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

Annalong Cornmill has been beatifully restored and is situated by the pretty Annalong Harbour, near the foothills of the Mourne Mountains.

More Info