If you read my blog post about must-see places in Northern Ireland, you know I’ve fallen hard for the six counties that make up the country of Northern Ireland. It’s not just the many shades of green or the cheap Guinness – ok, that is part of it, but also the people and the history – make that the culture as a whole. I’ve yet to find a place as unique as Northern Ireland.

They may not be home to great museums and galleries like Rome or the rich culinary offerings of Paris, but these six counties offer a lot in the way of charm and history.

• Stroke City – The city equivalent of Prince, Derry  is known as both Derry and Londonderry  – depending on
  

  Free Derry Mural, Derry, Northern Ireland

  where you are in the city, or what book you’re reading in the city hall, or who you ask, or what day of the week it is. With Derry’s sorted history during “The Troubles” it has switched between being called Derry, when the Nationalists are in power, and Londonderry, when the Loyalists rule the roost, several times.

• The Secondhand War Memorial – Derry is the only city in the world – that we know of – to have a second-hand war memorial. The city of Sheffield, England, commissioned a statue to celebrate their war heroes, but they thought the piece was too hideous and Derry swooped in to pick up the piece at a cut-rate price. Some sources will have you believe this isn’t the case, but I’m sticking the version Garvin, my local guide, told me.
• The Cage Shields – In both Derry and Northern Ireland you’ll find parts of houses and buildings that are protected by seemingly sky-high cages designed to protect property from things like petrol bombs and to just keep people separated. It’s rather disheartening and chilling to see these still in existence, but you really get a sense of just how real “The Troubles” were – and still are – for the people of these cities.
• Wetherspoons – While not the most local, authentic pub you’ll find, Wetherspoons is the place to go BEFORE you hit the local pubs. You can get a pint of Guinness for 1.50 GBP. Even if you convert it to dollars, that’s only $2.50! Plus, you can grab a burger, some curry or an Ulster fry for a few Pounds and you’re set-up well for a good night out.
• Mural Art – You’re right, I wrote that Northern Ireland doesn’t have the galleries of Rome, but they do have the murals of Derry and Belfast that are a rich expression of emotion by the locals. You can see a mural in Belfast for example that was created by an artist from the Nationalist side of the city and one from the Loyalist side. A true expression of how far these communities have come in the past few years.

So book your ticket to Ireland, spend a day or two in Dublin overpaying for Guinness and seeing some great sights and then head up to the North. Just make sure to go with a local Irish tour guide like with Shamrocker Adventures or a local friend. You won’t get the perspective of the people who have lived the history going it on your own.

There are very few places in Europe that are not overrun with tourists. And – at least for now – Northern Ireland is one of those places. So after you spend a few days in the South, head up North and check out these must see places in Northern Ireland.

The Wall in Derry – It’s not the Great Wall of China, but Derry’s perimeter wall has earned the city the nickname, “The Maiden City,” because the walls have never been breached. The wall has gates that kept people from walking it during “The Troubles,” but the gates are now left open making it an ideal path for local joggers and an interesting view of the city for visitors.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Dunluce Castle – Ireland and Northern Ireland overflow with two things – good craic and castles. Dunluce is one of the best and is located on the beautiful Antrim Coast. Among the items of note are the haunted rooms, mortar made with cow’s blood and the kitchen, which fell into the ocean while in use due to the Castle not being built with any consideration of potential erosion.

Giant’s Causeway – As evidence by being one of the few sights in the North packed with tourists, Giant’s Causeway is not to be missed. If you can get there when the crowds are low, take some time to walk out on the rock formations and grab a few pictures sans tourists. Make sure to take note of the rather dashing Irish giant used in the A/V presentation compared to the Scottish giant, who looks like he was beaten with an ugly stick

Belfast Bars – Filled with young students from the local University, a night out in Belfast is well worth making room in your schedule. The nightlife is vibrant even on a weekday and the locals are more than welcoming of visitors. Ladies can expect to score more than a few free drinks from local lads.

If you’d like to hit all of these places in just a few days, check out the Northern Rocker Northern Ireland Tour by Shamrocker Adventures on statravel.com. I just got back from going on this tour and had a crazy good time.

• The tour guides are 100 percent Irish, so you’re getting people who have lived the history of the island.
• Shamrocker is well-known in the places you visit, so you’ll get the best tours by the local guides in Derry and Belfast. (Shout out to Garvin at Martin McCrossan Tours, who knows everyone connected with pretty much every important event in Derry.)
• The tour stops in the coastal town of Carlingford on the way back to Dublin and you can score some fantastic Seafood Chowder at Carlingford Arms.

Plus, you’ll see all of the places I listed above.