views across Carlingford Lough (actually an estuary) to the Mournes. The small town of Carlingford, the natural starting place has many fine mediaeval buildings.

Former home of the Donegall family and built in 1870 in the Scottish Baronial style. It is situated on a prominent site on the slopes of Cave Hill, offering panoramic views across Belfast Lough. Just a few minutes from the M2, M3 and M5 and other arterial routes, providing easy access to air and sea ports, the castle is the ideal venue for any function. The magnificent sandstone building is located in 1700 acres of parkland and has its own manicured gardens. The interior of the scastle has undergone major refurbishment and has been completely restored to it Victorian grandeur. A busy venue for conferences and meetings, the castle can accommodate groups ranging from 10-200 delegates. Full catering is provided by Castle Catering Limited and menus are tailored to individual client needs. Belfast Castle is also an ideal setting for that special conference dinner with traditional entertainment if required.

W5 is Ireland's first interactive discovery center and is located at Odyssey in the heart of Belfast. As one of Northern Ireland's newest visitor attractions W5 offers an entertaining day out that will appeal to visitors of all ages. The center has over 100 innovative interactive exhibits which are housed in five action packed exhibition area - WOW, START (an area for children 8 yrs old and under), GO, SEE & DO. Attractions include a lie detector, laser harp, building bridges, making your very own animation, a giant racetrack, robot building plus lots more.

Situated in the grounds of the 200 year old Georgian Observatory, Armagh Planetarium presents the science of the universe through its high technology exhibits. Group facilities include an interactive Hall of Astronomy, Earth Science Displays, Star Theatre, Solar System Gallery and outdoor 'astropark' that portray the vastness of our universe. The neighboring Observatory accommodates the scientists making astronomical discoveries but visits here are normally available by prior arrangement throughout the summer months. Armagh Planetarium has become one of the UK leaders in Audio-Visual presentations.

Ardress, originally a modest farmhouse, was gradually transformed into a little mansion after the architect, George Ensor, married Sarah Clarke of Ardress in 1760. The drawing room was decorated by Michael Stapleton, a leading plasterer from Dublin. There are excellent examples of 18th century furniture in the house and a good display of paintings. The farmyard and outbuildings show aspects of farming history with a display of farm implements. There is a pleasant garden with examples of early types of Irish rose. The Ladies Mile is a woodland walk around the estate. A National Trust property.

Located on the Mall, Armagh County Museum is the oldest County Museum in Ireland. Exhibitions reveal the rich and varied history of the County, ranging from prehistoric artifacts to more recent material. These include military uniforms, wedding dresses, ceramics, natural history specimens, railway material and household items from a bygone age. As well as permanent displays, special exhibitions are held throughout the year.

Armagh Public Library was the first public library in Ireland outside Dublin. The building contains a fascinating collection of 25,000 books and manuscripts encompassing philosophy, travel, theology, law, classical and modern literature. One of the most treasured is a first edition of 'Gulliver's Travels' with Dean Swift's handwritten amendments.

See a page of authentic Georgian history unfold before your eyes as you step back in time into the year 1776 and participate in the domestic life of the period, as trained historical interpreters portray life in the early Georgian era. Also available - craft shop, restaurant, palace grounds, garden of senses, education, programme, adventure play area and evening programme.

St. Patrick's Trian is a vibrant three-part visitor complex located within numerous listed buildings in the heart of the Christian Capital of Ireland. The 'Armagh Story', a thought provoking audio-visual presentation portrays religious belief throughout the world. In the 'Land of Lilliput', adventures of Gulliver are narrated with the help of a 26 foot family friendly giant! At the heart of the facility, the 'Least of All the Faithful' exhibit takes its title from St. Patrick's confession as found in the great Book of Armagh.

The Argory was built in 1824 for Walter McGeough; his great grandson gave it to the National Trust in 1979. It is like a time capsule: no electricity, everything as it was at the turn of the 20th century, a superb cabinet organ of 1824, an intriguing central stove and a bewildering assortment of family treasures representing four generations. The courtyards have fascinating displays; the oxyacetylene plant which made the gas with which the house was lit; the old laundry and mangle room; the coach house and the stable and bullock houses now converted to a shop and modest tea room.

The award winning Navan Center interprets and presents the archaeology and mythology of Emain Macha, the ancient Capital of Ulster. The facility offers groups a rich understanding of the area's multi-faceted history. Dynamic audio-visual techniques, narration, interactive devices and even the design of the building itself are all employed to bring the area's archaeology and mystery to life.

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Springhill has a beguiling spirit that captures the heart of every visitor. Its welcoming charm has much to do with the lovely gardens, its simple but pretty 'Plantation' house and of course you will be stepping into 300 years of intriguing history. Your friendly guide will add to the mysterious allure with stories of the gentle ghost, Olivia.

Many visit Springhill from far and wide just to see the Costume Collection that is housed in the Laundry. This stunning collection of colorful haute couture and day to day clothing and accessories is like a mirror of history itself with some pieces dating back to the 17th century. No visit is complete without also enjoying the beautiful walled gardens or the beech tree walk and then heading for nearby Wellbrook Beetling Mill.

Springhill is only 50 minutes from Belfast or Derry City and its warm atmosphere will stay with you well beyond the end of your visit.

Discover the magic of brewing by visiting Ireland's oldest independent brewery at Hilden, close to Belfast. Start at the Visitor Center and tour our brewhouse. Learn more about the ancient craft from our Master Brewer after which you can sample at first hand the subtleties of flavor and character of our finest beers. You can enjoy the best of award winning cuisine in the Tap Room Restaurant or choose to have your next business meeting in the Malt Store, a most unusual setting and perfect venue for corporate events, private dinners or wedding reception.

Today's thriving Irish line industry, a world leader in fashion and furnishings, has its roots in the 17th century province of Ulster. Now we have a unique opportunity to trace the history of this important industry in its heartland - in the Irish Linen Center at Lisburn Museum. You can try your hand at scutching or spinning - or watch modern experts demonstrating their skills. Stop for a chat with the weavers in their workshop while they weave the Center's own fine linen cloth. They'll always have a tale to tell - after all they are the only hand loom linen weavers at work in Ireland today. Complete you visit by browsing in the specialty linen shop or relaxing in the restaurant.

A model of fine architecture, built in 1905 and recently refurbished in 1992, the building also boasts magnificent stained glass windows. Great care and attention has been taken to refurbish the building to its former glory, including the cleaning of the external stonework and floodlighting which will ensure that it remains one of the most outstanding buildings in Belfast. Church house offers a superb opportunity to hire conference/exhibition facilities in one of Belfast's most attractive landscape buildings. It has the capacity of accommodating both small and large conferences with seating for up to 1,150. Full on-site catering facilities are available. Church House enjoys an excellent location with major city center car parks and the Europa Bus Center just a short distance away. Ideally located on the corner of Howard Street and Fisherwick Place in the heart of Belfast, the Spires Conference and Exhibition Center is perfect for commercial events, trade sales exhibitions, concerts, plays and rehearsals, conferences, etc.

Set in the delightful surroundings of the Botanic Gardens in South Belfast, next to Queen's University, the Ulster Museum is Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and present. Its collections are comprehensive and fascinating, covering fine and applied art, archaeology and ethnography, local history and natural sciences. A combination of permanent displays, temporary exhibitions and related events offers visitors the chance to enjoy a strong visual arts programme, discover the unfolding story of the north from the Ice Age to the 20th Century and explore the diversity of the country's natural history.

Superb Georgian house with both Classical and Gothic Facades and interiors set in a 750 acre estate with breathtaking views over strangford Lough. Several delightful walks to choose from ranging in duration from half an hour to three hours, through mature parklands, woodlands and lough shore areas. Of particular note are the Temple Water, a man-made pleasure lake and the old farm yard with seventeenth century keep. Also weel worth a visit in Spring for acres of bluebells and Autumn for fungi and other flora and fauna. Castle Ward has a quaint pre-electric gamekeeper's cottage and a secluded caravan park together with three holiday cottages.

The award winning Exploris Aquarium is one of Northern Ireland's premier visitor attractions. It is located in the conservation village of Portaferry, on the shores of Strangford Lough, one of the most important marine sites in Europe. Immerse yourself in the underwater world - go on a journey from Strangfor Lough and out into the Irish Sea and experience fascinating creatures including octopus, majestic rays, six foot long conger eels, stingrays and shark species. Features include Touch Tank, Open Sea Tank, Fish Feeding and Marine Discovery Labs. In the NIE Seal Sanctuary visitors can see at close quarters the rehabilitation of sick or orphaned seals.

A fascinating eighteenth century house with nineteenth century additions. Home of Lord Castlereagh. One of the greatest Gardens in these islands, largely created by the wife of the Seventh Marquis of Londonderry. With an unrivalled collection of rare and unusual plants, colorful parterres and magnificent formal and informal vistas. The Temple of Winds, James "Athenian" Stuart's banqueting hall of 1785 overlooks Strangford Lough.

If you love trees, greenery and a natural wilderness then Rowallane will be your paradise. Whether you are a plantsman, a rambler or a 10 year old wanting to play hide and seek you will enjoy the unexpected variety, the peace and the beautiful colors. It is an enchanting 52 acre garden that has been growing since the 1860s with many unusual trees, shrubs and other plants introduced from many parts of the world in the early 1900s. Planting and collecting continue today. Rowallane is a haven for all seasons and for all ages. Spring: Magnificent display of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, bulbs & blossom. Summer: Stunning color in walled garden (Hypericum, Viburnum, shrub Roses); primulas & heather in rock garden; wild flower meadows rich with Orchids. Autumn: Scarlet & gold tree foliage, with berries attracting interesting birds.

Situated in Banbridge at the heart of the Linen Homelands, the Ferguson Linen center offers visitors a unique opportunity to see for themselves Irish Linen at the various stages of production. These processed include designing, weaving, specialist sewing and ornamenting. Fergusons are the only manufacturers in the world of Double Damask Linen and their products have graced the tables of palaces and embassies around the globe since 1854. The Center tells the story of both Linen and the Company through interpretative material and has both retail and mail order facilities available where unique linen products may be purchased.

The Somme Heritage Center opened in 1994 as a tourist attraction and educational facility. The center examines Ireland's role in the First World War with special reference to local cross-community involvement in the three volunteer divisions raised in Ireland: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division. These units comprised volunteers from both religions and traditions, Protestant and Catholic, Unionist and Nationalist. It is the coming together of these groups in common cause which is examined in the Center. The Center operates guided tours, during which the visitor is taken back through a 'time-tunnel' to Ireland in 1910, and from an itinerant preacher, learns about the Home Rule Crisis which formed the backdrop to Ireland's involvement in the Ward. Visitors then enter a recruiting office, before going on to training. After traveling to France, the visitor enters a dug-out with information about life in the trenches. The highlight of the Center is a recreated front line trench, from which visitors can look out over 'No Mans Land' and view a dramatic audio-visual narrative of the Somme battle. The Center also features a conventional museum area, with regularly changing exhibitions. An interactive computer terminal enables visitors to learn more about the war. The Center also has a research facility, which is available to the public at a fee.

One of Ireland's foremost visitor attractions - the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum illustrates the way of life and traditions of the people of the north of Ireland. The exhibit buildings of the Folk Museum include appropriately furnished houses, mills, shops, schools and churches set in a carefully recreated landscape extending over 60 acres. This provides the setting to present the story of life in Ulster in the early 1900's through costumed interpretation and a varied programme of activities, crafts and skills. The award winning galleries of the Transport Museum display Ireland's most comprehensive transport collections from horse drawn cart to Irish built motor cars, from the mighty steam locomotives which graced our railways to the history of ship and boat building. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is part of the Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland (MAGNI).

Located on the edge of Enniskillen, Castle Coole is one of the treasures of the National Trust. Designed by James Wyatt and completed in 1798 for the first Earl of Belmore, Castle Coole's interior was created by some of the leading craftsmen of the 18th Century. Marble chimney-pieces were carved by Westmacott, plasterwork created by Joseph Rose and scagioli columns the work of Bartoli. Magnificent State Rooms with their sumptuous Regency furnishings, include The State Bedroom prepared for a visit by George IV in 1821. The surrounding 700 acre estate is a fitting setting for the mansion with parkland, Lough Coole and extensive woods. Visitors can also enjoy walks through The Grand Yard, Servants Quarters, Ice House, Servants Tunnel and view the original Belmore Coach. Check with Property Manager for Events Calendar.

The exceptional harmony of woodland, water, parkland and old buildings gives Crom Estate its very special quality. One of the most important nature conservation sites owned by the National Trust, the estate woodlands consist of fine stands of ancient oak, providing a rich and diverse habitat, while the shorelines of Crom Estate support many very rare plants. The fine old buildings which enhance the landscape include Crom Old Castle, Crichton Tower and Crom Church. At the heart of the Estate is the award-winning Visitor Center with seven luxury holiday cottages. Crom is ideal for bird-watching, fishing or boating enthusiasts or simply for quiet enjoyment of the countryside on the many wooded or shoreline walks.

Florence Court is a truly welcoming home. Since the recent return of much of the Enniskillen family belongings to this fine 18th century house and estate is has recaptured its warmth and gentle atmosphere. The house tour takes you inside the heart of the house, and as each door opens, you discover more about the family and the staff, their fine rococo surroundings and how they lived and worked together. The house is set below the stunning backdrop of the Cuilcagh Mountains with glorious open views down to the Fermanagh lakelands. You will discover many serene and beautiful corners by exploring the area.

The Marble Arch Caves were opened in 1985 and since that time over 800,000 visitors have explored this fascinating natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Lively and informative guides conduct tours past a bewildering variety of cave formations - stalactites glisten above streamways and chambers while fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and spread as shimmering terraces across rock strewn floors.

Spectacular walkways allow easy access while powerful lighting reveals the stunning beauty and grandeur of the caves. Electrically powered boats glide through huge caverns carrying visitors along a subterranean river. Tours last for an average 75 minutes and are suitable for people of any age of average fitness. Comfortable walking shoes and a warm sweater are recommended.

The Cuilcagh Mountain Park was opened in 1999 with the primary aim of conserving and increasing awareness of blanket bog, an increasingly rare and endangered habitat.

The art of crystal making in County Tyrone can trace it's origins back for more than 200 years, to the great glasshouse of Benjamin Edwards founded in 1771. Today Tyrone Crystal carries on that tradition in Dungannon, just a mile from the site of the Edwards glasshouse. The centuries old tradition was revived by Rev. Austin Eustace, a local priest who wanted to provide employment for the young people of Dungannon. Practicing with old cutting wheels, empty whiskey bottles and jam jars, a handful of trainees began to learn the trade. A factory was built, furnaces installed and a Master Blower from Austria trained the young workforce. Soon Tyrone Crystal was producing crystal from raw materials as well as cutting and decorating it.

In 1990 a new factory was purpose built, the 100,000 square feet premises enabling all operations to be carried out efficiently. But although the premises are modern, the ethos of the company remains based on traditional skills, tools and concepts. When you handle a piece of Tyrone Crystal, you can be assured that you are holding a beautiful product with a truly rich pedigree. The secrets of the mix remain closely guarded, yet the mouth blowing and hand cutting endow each piece with individualism characterizing this "Crystal Superior". Only the finest quality items will bear the name of 'Tyrone' - the name which embraces the art of craftsmanship.