The Atlas Obscura Guide To Northern Ireland

119 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Northern Ireland

Updated November 22, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Northern Ireland

Dark Hedges

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

The Dark Hedges

The atmospheric road was never meant to be so creepy.

Giant's Causeway

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway

Northern Ireland's Brobdingnagian stepping stones.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Ballintoy, Northern Ireland

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

This short bridge is the only thing connecting a tiny Irish island to the mainland.

The "stairway to heaven" offers sweeping views over the bogland.

Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail

A meandering boardwalk across the bogland leads to a "stairway to heaven" with sublime views.

Crown Liquor Saloon

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Crown Liquor Saloon

This Victorian-era public house has set the standard for pub-style elegance for over a hundred years.

Dunluce Castle

Coleraine, Northern Ireland

Dunluce Castle

The ruins of this medieval castle in Northern Ireland have inspired artists from C.S. Lewis to Led Zeppelin.

Launch Site of the Titanic

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Launch Site of the Titanic

A museum marks and documents the site of the Titanic's launch.

Maze having annual trim 10 September 2021

Castlewellan, Northern Ireland

Peace Maze of Northern Ireland

A peace symbol in Northern Ireland is among the world's largest hedge mazes.

See All 119 Things To Do in Northern Ireland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Northern Ireland

The poshest Tesco.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

2 Royal Avenue

A palatial former bank building now houses what may be the poshest art venue (and former Tesco) in Belfast.

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History & Culture 32

Military 12

Memorials 12

Geology 9

Animals 9

History 9

Nature 8

World War Ii 7

Murals 7

Plants 7

Ruins 6

Sculptures 6

Northern Ireland Leaderboard

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Recent Northern Ireland Activity

mattascoli

has been to Giant's Causeway
mattascoli

has been to Dunluce Castle
S

sarahsouther

wants to go to Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail
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khsands

wants to go to Launch Site of the Titanic
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khsands

wants to go to Dunluce Castle

Stories About Northern Ireland

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Deciphering Ireland's Ancient Standing Stones

A reconstruction of the Iron Age roundhouse at Ulster, where archaeological evidence suggests massive feasts were held.

The Irish Pigged Out on Pork in a ‘Mammoth’ Iron Age Building

The guests brought swine from far and wide, and left dozens of carcasses behind.

by Isaac Schultz

December 27, 2019

One of the village's five churches, made out of wool.

See an Entire Northern Ireland Village Knitted Out of Wool

An incredible yarn from Cloughmills, County Antrim.

by Natasha Frost

January 16, 2018

A Meteor Struck the Grounds of a School in Northern Ireland (Or Did It?)

Strange things were afoot at Castle Gardens Primary School.

by Natasha Frost

November 13, 2017

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