Beyond the beautiful scenery, Northern Ireland has a rich cultural history. As a result, the region is filled with many historical and modern monuments that will leave you speechless. Here are 10 famous monuments in NI you need to check out:
The Walls of Derry
Walking around the city along the 400-year-old walls is a must. The walls are one of the best-preserved fortifications from the 17th century. You can explore the city’s history by visiting St. Columb’s Cathedral, Peace Bridge, and the Tower Museum and admiring the many wall murals depicting “The Troubles.”
The Giant’s Causeway
Located on NI’s north coast in County Antrim, this collection of basalt columns is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as one of the world’s great wonders. It is believed that Giant’s Causeway was formed during an ancient volcanic fissure eruption 50 to 60 million years ago.
There is also an interesting story behind the origin of the site. Irish legend states that a giant named Finn McCool used to live here until he was challenged to a fight by a giant named Benandonner, who lived in Scotland. To fight Benandonner, McCool built a bridge across the sea until he ran back home when he saw how big the Scottish giant was. Benandonner followed him back to Ireland but was scared off.
The Dark Hedges
Located near the Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges are a must-see for anyone visiting NI. The popular spot became even more famous when it was one of the filming locations for the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
The Dark Hedges are a series of beech trees the Stuart family planted in the 18th century to impress visitors to Gracehill House, where they lived. The Hedges line the Bregagh Road, creating a beautiful, striking tunnel-like structure.
Dunluce Castle
A 10-minute drive from the Giant’s Causeway, this castle is said to have been built by the MacQuillan family around 1500 before being seized by Clan McDonnell in the 1550s. While it is no longer as great as it used to be, the grandeur of the castle ruins is still enough to take your breath away.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Built in 1845, this site represents one of the fraught periods of Irish history when children from impoverished families, political prisoners, and suffragettes were incarcerated within its walls for 150 years. It has witnessed births, deaths, marriages, executions, escapes, hunger strikes, and riots.
While the prison closed its doors in 1996, the site has been repurposed as a thought-provoking and memorable visitor attraction and a venue for conferences, concerts, and events. A tour includes a visit to the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, a chance to sit in the Governor’s chair, and a visit to the condemned man’s cell before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged.
See also: 5 Fun Things To Do In Northern Ireland
The Cushendun Caves
The caves, formed around 400 million years ago, are one of Ireland’s oldest attractions. They have appeared in several scenes of the popular Game of Thrones, including the scene where Jamie Lannister and Euron Greyjoy battle to the death.
The Bushmills Distillery
An unmistakable landmark, the distillery has been making whiskey since 1784, with its original licensing dating back to 1608. The distillery still produces some of the best whiskey today. The distillery produces triple-distilled whiskeys using local barley and water from the nearby River Bush. A visit to the distillery takes about forty minutes. It covers the facility’s operations and includes a tasting at the end.
Belfast Castle
Built on the site of an ancient Norman castle dating from the 12th century, the well-preserved castle now hosts weddings and other events. A visit to the castle includes a meal in the restaurant or a picnic in the grassy gardens. You can also take pictures of the beautiful panoramas of the castle and the valley, or climb Cave Hill to see the surroundings.
C.S. Lewis Square
This site celebrates one of the biggest names to come out of NI. The C.S. Lewis Square opened in late 2016 as part of the £40 million Connswater Community Greenway Project. It boasts seven inspiring sculptures from the author’s famous work, ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’. You can also visit Jack Coffee Bar (named after C.S. Lewis) in the adjoining EastSide Visitor Centre, which is open seven days a week.
Hands Across the Divide Monument
The Hands Across the Divide monument is the first thing you see as you enter the city across Craigavon Bridge. This striking bronze sculpture of two men reaching out to each other symbolises the spirit of reconciliation and hope for the future.
It was unveiled in 1992, 20 years after Bloody Sunday, a demonstration in Londonderry (Derry), NI, by Roman Catholic civil rights supporters on Sunday, January 30, 1972. The demonstration turned violent when British paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 and injuring 14 others (one of the injured later died).