10 reasons to visit Northern Ireland

For whiskey lovers, adrenaline junkies, entertainment addicts, sports enthusiasts or those in need of a break, Northern Ireland has everything. Here are just 10 reasons to hot foot it there in 2008.

1. The Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery – bushmills.com

The 'Old Bushmills' Distillery – Ireland’s oldest working whiskey distillery - is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the original licence to distil which was granted to the Bushmills area in Co. Antrim in 1608.

Just an hour’s drive from Belfast, there is no excuse not to swing by - their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited recently. Public tours of the distillery take place daily, 9am – 4pm (Monday to Saturday) and 12pm – 4pm (Sundays). Tours cost £6 for adults and £3 for children (over 8 years only).

During your visit you get to see the production area, smell the barley and yeast maturing, and of course, taste some Bushmills whiskey. You can also purchase a personalised bottle of Bushmills 12 year-old Single Malt Whiskey which will have your name printed on the label. Only available at the distillery, the personalised bottles cost £37.50 and make for great gifts.

The distillery has recently been recognised for its outstanding contribution to tourism in Northern Ireland .

2. PlanetLove 10th Anniversary Festival, Co. Antrim (September 5th / 6th 2008) - planetlovemusic.com

Ten years ago, on the western banks of Lough Neagh, a couple of thousand dance music fans gathered for what was Northern Ireland’s first outdoor music festival. Ten years on, after many thousand more people and appearances from almost every celebrated DJ and dance act around the world, PlanetLove is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Join thousands of clubbers from right across the UK and further afield on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th September, at Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland (10 minutes from Belfast International Airport and 20 minutes from Belfast City Centre).

3. Lee Evans in Belfast (October 15th 2008)

The Lee Evans Big UK Tour 2008 will be arriving in Belfast on Wednesday 15th October to mark his sensational return to stand-up with some of the strongest and most hilarious routines he has ever written.

4. Coldplay in Belfast (December 2008)

Hot on the heels of the release of their number 1 album, ‘Viva La Vida’, Coldplay have announced that they will be embarking on an extensive European tour which includes just one Irish performance on Thursday, December 18th in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast.

5. Ride the waves

Northern Ireland offers waves to suit everyone, from kite-surfing beginners to champion surfers. Surfing is really popular in Northern Ireland and the area is known among surfers everywhere. The waves are fantastic and people visit from as far afield as Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.

6. Golf - a good walk spoiled

Northern Ireland has some of the finest and toughest golf courses on the planet. A claim is often made that Portstewart strand course has the best opening hole in Irish Golf - indeed some say in the world, and has been described as ‘an absolute stunner’ by experts.

7. The Giant’s Causeway

The Causeway may be familiar to music fans because it appeared on the cover of the Led Zeppelin album ‘Houses of the Holy’ as well as part of Stone Roses’ guitarist John Squire’s painting ‘Bye Bye Badman’ which formed the background for the cover of their debut album. The only World Heritage site in Northern Ireland, we dare you to count the 37,000 hexagonal columns which you can easily explore on foot, plus it is only 5 minutes down the road from the Old Bushmills Distillery.

8. Shop ‘til you drop in Belfast – Victoriasquare.com

The newest landmark on the Belfast skyline, the Victoria Square shopping centre has increased the amount of shops in central Belfast by a third, so it’s so much easier to blow your hard earned cash now!

9. Drink with celebs!

The funky capital has a culture and nightlife to rival any European capital. Whether you fancy a local brew in one of Belfast’s historic hostelries, a visit to one of the traditional pubs for a live Irish music session, or to check out the hip and trendy bar and club scene; you’ll find it all in Belfast.

A good place to start is the beautifully ornate National Trust-owned Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street, which dates back to 1826. It is the ultimate Irish-themed bar, the real deal. The high gothic interior is lit by old-fashioned gas lamps and a recent revamp has made way for a ruby red tinge to the walls.

Wooden-doored booths line the right hand side of the bar and the added bonus is you never know who you may bump into - James Nesbitt and Brad Pitt are said to have drunk in here while working in the city’s theatre over the road.

10. Tour de Northern Ireland

Feel like Lance Armstrong? Take on the challenge. Starting at Castlerock, this startling, sea-sprayed ride offers breathtaking views over the Atlantic. Follow NCN route 93 along the north Antrim coastline through the bustling seaside towns of Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush.