This is definitely somewhere you should visit. I just love this place - it brings back so many…read morememories of my childhood spent on Downhill beach playing in the sand. The temple was built by Earl Bishop Hervey in the 18th century. It is now perched precariously on the cliff edge as the elements have eroded the cliff away. Apparently you used to be able to walk right round it but now it is right on the cliff edge. The National Trust have had to reinforce the cliff face to save it from falling into the sea. The views from here cannot be beaten - Portstewart/Portrush and skerries to your right and Donegal to your left. At the bottom of the cliffs is approx 10miles of golden sand. Where else would you find this beauty? It is just on my doorstep and every time I visit I am amazed by its beauty - should it be on a lovely sunny summer day or a blustery winter day! You can even get married here - really something different.

Worth a visit. Amazing views. Wrap up warm as it can be windy even in good weather. A bit of a walk…read moreover fields - often littered with sheep poo. Car parking can be expensive, so park a little furthe away for free.

It looks like a jewelry box but it's actually the Jaffe Memorial Fountain. Striking and brightly…read morecolorful it was originally erected in 1874 by Sir Otto Jaffe to honor his father, Daniel Jaffe. It was initially placed in Victoria Square but was later moved to the Botanic Gardens, where it remained until 2008 It is intricate and elegant, made of Portland stone with each of the smaller columns featuring a female figure that represents each of the four seasons. It stands at the Victoria Street entrance to the Victoria Square shopping center. The original yellow and white were apparently selected to reflect the aesthetic preferences of the Victorian era, as these were popular colors to symbolize purity and light and optimism. It is indeed a fountain but in September it was dry. I'm not sure if it is ever filled with water. [Review 1883 of 2024 - 866 in United Kingdom - 22905 overall]

I bet you've walked past this wee gem hundreds of times but never given it a second look, I'm right…read morearen't I? Well now it's time to be enlightened. This is the Jaffa Fountain, not named after everyone's favourite cake/biscuit but actually named after Belfast's first Lord Mayor Otto Jaffa. The fountain itself was actually built in 1879 and it was erected in its current location, but here's the strange part. As industrial and commercial Belfast grew it was moved out to Botanic Gardens - mature students might recognise it from those days. Once Victoria Square was commissioned the decision was made to bring the old fellow back to its rightful place. I for one am glad they did as I think it provides a welcome nod to Belfast's past in the centre of its current commercial renaissance.

I visited this castle when I was vacationing in Ireland earlier this year…read more We were driving on the main road and this castle was right next to the road, so getting here and was really convenient, as well as parking. There are public restrooms outside of the castle, which is definitely a plus! The castle was really cool and so fascinating that it is still standing. The exhibits inside were really interesting too. The employees at the entrance were really nice and friendly. I would definitely visit this castle again.

Gord and I took a train to Carrickfergus and spent a few hours wondering around Carrickfergus…read moreCastle. Carrickfergus Castle was built by John de Courcy in 1177 as his headquarters, after he conquered eastern Ulster and ruled as a petty king until 1204, when he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy. It was an interesting spot to spend a couple of hours!

We were on the CIE Scots Irish tour and were driving through Londonderry. Ooh! Pretty building!…read more Ooh! We're stopping for potties at the pretty building. WOAH!!! It's really, really nice! Thank you to the nice lady who said there are more potties on the second floor ... what if I had never seen the top floor? It was sooo pretty! So much stained glass! So much cool history. ... and lots of things to take photos of! Whee! ... and a gift shop * happy tourist * I probably should make some of the bread mixes we bought. We bought all 3! That is not a souvenir that we should keep forever ... * nods *

Guildhall is a neo-Gothic building and is one of Derry-Londonderry's most iconic landmarks. The…read morecity's own John Hume, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his efforts in the peace process, is on display at Guild Hall. I had never seen a Nobel Peace Prize in person before. The stained glass windows are gorgeous. This deserves a stop.

The castle is really like a small tower and sits at the front of sketrick island. You can walk…read morearound the ruins even though they're not the safest looking. The views and local scenery are beautiful with sketrick bring on an island in Strangford lough. There's a bar/restaurant behind it called daft eddies and an old lightship that seems to be some sort of private club. There's loads of parking and a car park further down the road with public toilets and views towards the castle and island.

This is another hidden gem in County Down, sorry that's getting to be a bit of a cliché but it…read morereally is a wonderful place to visit. When I was younger we used to go on day trips to Sketrick Catsle. It was never to far away and it used to be an ideal distance to travel so that all of the kids in the back seat would be content with a car journey but not desperate for a wee. Sketrick was built in the 15th Century and used for active warfare in the 16th century. The irony of the place is that it stood firm through countless enemy attacks and then a storm knocked down two of the four stories that originally stood on the castle. The castle also had a fresh spring underneath so that people could be under siege for months at a time. Sketrick has become forgotten by many but I still see it as a great day out but this may just be due to childhood nostalgia.

Carlingford is currently the home of President Joe Biden's Irish cousins. Great people. Just 8…read moremiles away. Carlingford is also a fine example of a medieval walled town, built at the time of the Normans in the 12th century. The Vikings had invaded Ireland in the 9th Century and historical records establish that they occupied Carlingford Lough. The name Carlingford is Scandinavian translating into 'Fjord of Carlinn'. The Normans arrived in Ireland in 1169 as allies of Irish King Dermot MacMurrough. By 1184 they had reached Carlingford. A Norman Knight, Sir John de Courcy claimed this part of Louth for himself. Sir John was a busy beggar. He arrived in Ireland in 1176 and by the time of his expulsion in 1204, he had conquered considerable territory, endowed religious establishments, built abbeys for the Benedictines (yes the monks that created champagne and benedictine), the Cistercians and he also built strongholds at Dundrum Castle in County Down and at Carrickfergus Castle in County Antrim. The very first historical reference to Carlingford dates to 1184 when Sir John gave the rights of the ferry at Carlingford to the Abbot of Downpatrick indicating that the harbour was in use as a ferry point. However, the town of Carlingford only developed after the castle known as King John's Castle was built. The castle today is a ruin, but it's still obvious what it was nearly a thousand years ago - a place of defence. As for its creator Sir John De Courcy, well he returned to Ireland, sailing across the Irish sea from the Isle of Man in July 1205 with Norse soldiers and a hundred boats. John and his army landed at Strangford and laid siege to Dundrum Castle in vain, because the defences he himself had made were too strong. King John then had John de Courcy imprisoned and he spent the rest of his life in poverty so the clerics he was so generous toward left him broke. He was subsequently released when he "crossed himself" to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. De Courcy died in obscurity just outside what is now Craigavon - I suppose anyone who dies there still departs in obscurity as the best thing about Craigavon, even a thousand years later, is still the road out of it.

As you drive into Carlingford King John's Castle sets the scene for the magnificent historical…read morevalue of this town. The views from the ledge are amazing and worth the bit of climbing to get up to it! Transports you back in time as you see all the way over to Warrenpoint and soak up the atmosphere from days gone by. Look out for the plaques dotted around to learn more!

A great reminder of the 10 men who unselfishly gave their lives for Irish people all over the…read moreworld. tiocfaidh ár lá

Generally people think it's a bit weird that I like graveyards, I guess it's hard to describe, but…read morethere's something about them that totally captivates and intrigues me. I wouldn't go as far as saying discovering this place made my day but finding this ancient piece of history right on my doorstep certainly added to the experience of being here. It's not just an old graveyard either; it's the site of an ancient mausoleum. It was absolutely fascinating seeing first hand all this history right in front of my eyes. I've never been in a mausoleum before, not that I'd make a habit of it admittedly, but I was captivated by the history held within (and under!) its walls. There were some incredibly old gravestones (some more than three hundred years old!) as well as a few important historical figures buried under the ground (most notably William Orr, a member of the United Irishmen who was executed in 1797) The mausoleum was built in 1789, suggested by Clotworthy Upton (what a name!) to commemorate his late brother. It was designed by Robert Adams, one of the many Adams family architects. It features some impressive classic urns, sarcophagi and intricate leaf detail. You'd need to see it yourself and feel the eerie atmosphere within to understand how I feel about this place. Spooky! In 1965 the mausoleum was donated to the National Trust who carried out extensive repairs to restore its original condition. It certainly is an eye opening and wonderful experience. Bonus: it's free. Note: Don't go in high heels!!

All of Ireland is lovely. We've seen so much in only a few days it is hard to keep track. I've…read moretaken to posting my photos right away to help me recall our stops. Grianan of Aileach was a short stop on our tour of Ireland. The views were spectacular. After a short and easy walk, you arrive at a stone aged monument- probably a burial mound. The day was wet and the rocks slippery so we didn't climb it. Every stop we've made has been more beautiful than the other. This was a nice stop on a beautiful trip.

Have you heard of Grianan of Aileach…read more Have you visited Grianan of Aileach Our Adventure group recently visited and we recommend Grianán of Aileach is probably the best known monument in Inishowen, County Donegal. Situated on a hilltop 250m above sea level the view from the stone fort of Aileach is breathtaking. The Stone Fort of Grianán of Aileach sits on a hilltop in Inishowen County Donegal. 250m above sea level, the stone fort was probably first built on an earthen rath. The view from Aileach is breathtaking. The glistening waters of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly are clear, as is the form of the entire peninsula. A windy and exposed place, Grianán has been a silent witness to the history of Ireland. Please add to your list...

This is probably one of the nicest children's play parks in Carrickfergus, and strangely, a lot of…read morepeople don't know about it, as it is quite secluded! There are two entrances to Legg Park, one along the main Belfast Road, just up from the Model Primary School, and another entrance facing the Windrose. The park is fully fenced off and really well equipped with soft flooring, swings, slides and climbing frames. The park is also really nicely landscaped with lots of benches making it pleasant to sit around on a sunny day.