Hidden Irish travel gems: A journey through the north and northwest

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Welcome to Ireland’s revitalized North and Northwest, a region whose natural beauty and proud traditions beckon the traveler. Even the hip Lonely Planet Bluelist proclaims Northern Ireland as the hot new destination, and cites Belfast as one of the top cities on the rise.

This sudden popularity comes as no surprise to regulars who have long known the area as one of the most beautiful and interesting in Europe. Discover the sights and sounds of the region, which includes the famous ancient castles and battlements as well as the lesser-known farms that were ancestral homesteads to 15 Presidents of the United States. Who knows where the adventure will take you.

Day One (Belfast, County Down)

Belfast is a city reborn, where old merges with new, a booming retail center with a rich and historic Victorian streetscape. Saint Anne’s Cathedral is the center of the oldest quarter, an area packed with cobbled streets, historic pubs and superb restaurants. Enjoy street theater at Custom House Square, or chat with locals at Kelly’s Cellars, one of Belfast’s most ancient pubs. See other historic locations such as Rosemary Street Church and the “Entries.” With the help of a local guide organize a customized tour of Clifton House, Mary Ann McCracken’s House in Donegall Street and City Graveyard off Clifton Street.

The ship RMS Titanic is synonymous with Belfast. The transformation of the storied docklands of Harland & Wolff, where the ship was built, into Titanic Quarter is the largest urban development in Northern Ireland. A selection of specialized tours makes this area a key point on your itinerary. Other must-see stops include Queen’s University, near the restored Ulster Museum; and downtown, where you can visit City Hall and stop at the Crown Bar across from the landmark Europa Hotel. Don’t miss the designer boutiques and cafes of Lisburn Road. Just outside the city is The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum with its Titanic exhibition. Revel in a perfect museum setting, nestled on a lush 178-acre parkland overlooking Belfast Lough in the Cultra area.

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