Local Attractions and Places of Interest in Belfast and Surrounding Areas
"The Giants Causeway Rap" a brief introduction to the legend of Finn McCool by one of our recent guests. |
The Giants Causeway
The Giant's Causeway, renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries. It harbours a wealth of local and natural history. ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR TOURS! NOT TO BE MISSED! Tickets May Be Purchased at the Hostel Reception Desk.
The Giants Causeway
 The Titanic Pump House |
Titanic Dock and Pumphouse
The Titanic Dock and Pump-House comprises a 7-acre scheduled monument site which includes the Thompson Dry Dock and its associated Pump-House. The Pump-House was once the beating heart of Harland & Wolffs operation during the construction of the great White Star Liners - Britannic, Olympic and most famously the RMS Titanic. The Thompson Dock itself is the footprint of Titanic and provides an amazing representation of the scale of the ship.
Today the Pump-House comprises of a Visitor Centre & Cafe, Interpretative Centre, meeting rooms & event space. For the most unique, exciting Titanic experience available, why not visit the only publicly accessible intact piece of the great ship’s legacy at the Pump-House Visitor Centre which is free entry to all. There are also many Titanic tours operating around this area. Within walking distance of The Linen House
 Black Taxi Tours |
Black Taxi Tours
Take a black cab tour and see the murals and memorials recounting the troubles of Northern Irelands past. Take the opportunity to visit the famous sites of Belfast and Northern Ireland with a friendly informative guide. This tour will take you back in time on a unique cultural and historical experience and includes the political murals from both traditions. Tickets May Be Purchased at the Hostel Reception Desk.
 The Dunluce Castle |
Castles & Monuments
Northern Ireland has some of the finest castles on the island. The earliest are from Norman times, but fortified homes continued to be built well into the 17th century - much of Derry City dates from this era, including its encircling walls. Centuries of war, siege and expansion, have left a well-preserved legacy which is still there to be explored!
Back in the mists of time, some of our remotest areas were bustling! The first known dwelling in Ireland was found at Mountsandel near Coleraine (7,000 BC). Fermanagh and Tyrone are especially rich in Stone Age archaeology. There are even more antiquities from the early Christian era; and superb examples of monastic sites, gravestones, abbeys, round towers and Celtic crosses crop up in every County.
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Bushmills Distillery
In 2008, Bushmills celebrates 400 years of local distilling history…a unique, unbroken whiskey-making tradition still very much alive today at the Old Bushmills Distillery. Just two miles from the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, the distillery lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty which is rich in history and folklore.
At Bushmills, the visitor can observe the craft and skills of making Irish whiskey. The guided tour includes the ingredients and processes, spring water from Saint Columb’s Rill and the finest malted barley, to the art of triple distillation in copper stills and ageing in oak casks. Of course, no visit would be complete without enjoying a complimentary glass of Bushmills whiskey.
Today, Bushmills is a well known name for smooth, distinctive Irish whiskey. The whiskey maturing process takes time, between five and thirty years depending on the blend. Often there are around 171,000 barrels on site maturing. Recent accolades include a review by the New York Times in 2006 describing Bushmills 10 year Malt as “the best Irish whiskey”. The Bushmills Distillery is one of many stops on THE GIANTS CAUSEWAY TOUR. Tickets May be purchased at the hostel reception desk.