Сultural Travel Program

We’re eager to offer you some ideas of great spending time in NI, and we have elaborated some tours.

The best time to visit northern Ireland is autumn all hallows eve is a good reason to be become a fugitive from cities dust and fever and to find your peaceful solitude in NI. To feel Halloween spirit, visit creaking stately homes of ghosts You can’t but visit Belfast. Belfast is teeming with a multitude of stylish bars, gourmet restaurants, trendy clubs and some of the best shopping in the UK. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music in a local pub or dance the night away to the latest vibes - the choice is theirs! the city is compact and easy to get around, whether by car or on foot. Another alternative is The Mourne Mountains. The Mourne Mountains and its surrounding area provide every outdoor activity from hill walking, rock climbing, and mountain boarding to horse riding, fishing and golf.  The perfect holiday location for the outdoor enthusiast. You can also visit The Walled City of Derry. Londonderry, also known as Derry, is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. Few places in these islands can offer such a compelling and unique experience for the visitor as the Walled City of Derry - its setting on the steep hills overlooking the wide sweep of the River Foyle, its distinctive architecture and its famous walls all provide enormous appeal.

Want to visit these places? More information about airports here:http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Airports-and-Ferry-Operators-Links--A2175

Letter to our friend in Great Britain

    Dear friend!

    We’re the group of explores of Northern Ireland. Our creative team is Marina Volokhova, Tanya Melnyk and Lena Shevchuk. We were born in cozy Ukrainian town Rivne approximately 16 years ago. Now we’re studying at school #15, which is a specialist school to study foreign languages. This year we have started learning UK Country Study subject, and our task is to discover amazing part of GB – Northern Ireland.

   Next information will give you general idea about who we are.

   Tanya is interested in Ukrainian embroidery. Сonsequently she has reached high results in participating in international embroidery competition. She’s fond of traveling all over the world. And it’s her dream to visit all the European countries.

   Lena is fond of modern dancing. In her free time she takes lessons of hip-hop. Lena is interested in photography. Every summer she travels in different countries of Europe and takes photos of sightseeing. For information Lena has already published her photos in local newspapers.

  Marina is talented artist and musician. She is fond of modern art. Marina is a kind of active person: she takes part in various Olympiads, concerts and exhibitions. Her dream is to paint astounding nature of  Northern Ireland.

 All of us are fond of traveling. We enjoy to travel inside of our beautiful country.There are many places of interest in it.Take for instance Rivne region. In September our class visited Peresopnitsya,where we were informed about first Ukrainian book. Moreover we discovered many exiting facts about history,culture of our country.That was the best trip in our life. 

   

Northern Ireland’s History Time-line

Northern Ireland’s locals have been witness to invasions, battles, famines and a lot more. In this section you will learn some of Ireland’s more important historic events and how to help shape the country as we see it today. As historic events in Ireland took place they influenced the Irish culture  in many different ways so sit back and enjoy this section of Irish history.

Ancient Northern Ireland

• 3200BC – Irish passage tombs such as Newgrange are built
• 700BC – The Iron Age Period and the Celts in Ireland

Medieval period in Northern Ireland

• 432 – St Patrick arrives in Ireland
• 1155 – English King Henry II is given authority over Ireland by Pope Adrian
• 1297 – Irish Parliament is founded

16th Century in Northern Ireland

• 1567 – The Battle of Farsetmore
• 1580 – The Siege of Smerwick
• 1594 –   The begining of the nine years war

17th Century Northern Ireland

• 1642 – The Irish Confederate Wars
• 1662 – Act of Settlement 1662 is passed by Irish parliment
• 1695 – The introduction of Anti-Catholic Penal Laws

18th Century Northern Ireland

• 1760 – French invaders attack Carrickfergus looting the castle
• 1791 – The Society of United Irishmen is founded
• 1798 – Irish Rebellion of 1798

19th Century Northern Ireland

• 1845 – Ireland suffers from a major famine.
• 1858 – The Irish Republican Brotherhood is formed
• 1867 – The Fenian Rising
• 1879 – The Irish National Land League is founded

20th Century Northern History

• 1914 – The First World War begins
• 1916 – The Easter Rising Sunday
• 1919 – The Irish War of Independence
• 1920 – Government of Ireland Act 1920 introduced. Ireland becomes partitioned with the creation of Northern Ireland
• 1939 – Word War II begins
• 1967 – The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) is founded
• 1999 – Nuala O’Loan becomes the first Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland

21st Century History of Northern Ireland

• 2007 – Ian Paisley is elected First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly
• 2007- Martin McGuinness becomes deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland

More information on: http://www.yourirish.com/history/

Climate of Northern Ireland

The climate of Ireland can be summed up as being mild, moist and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. In general the weather is similar to the rest of the UK, but Northern Ireland tends to have less sunshine and more rain. Extremes of temperature are rare but conditions can be changeable.The weather in Northern Ireland is traditionally changeable. The temperature usually stays above freezing, so there is seldom snow or ice, but at any time of year it is advisable to be prepared for rain. Summer months sometimes see prolonged periods of sunshine.

To get more information:

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/climate.htm

Rivers and lakes

Here are some facts about the lakes and rivers of Northen Ireland .In the heart of Northern Ireland you will find Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland & Britain. Lough Neagh captivates visitors with its tranquil atmosphere, un-spoilt scenery, secluded bays and skyward views. Lough Neagh is a haven for wildlife with many viewpoints around the shoreline.The Lower Bann River helps form the longest waterway in Northern Ireland, offering visitors a tranquil atmosphere and unspoilt scenery.This is the perfect location for water based recreation; from fishing to waterskiing and cruising to canoeing, this magnificent river has something to offer everyone.
More information here:
http://www.loughneagh.com/loughneagh.html
http://www.riverbannireland.com/

Binevenagh

Binevenagh rises about 1200  feet. Binevenagh  encompasses a dramatic coastal landscape that forms the backdrop to one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. Binevenagh is a prime location for hill walking and fishing; the lake on the summit is stocked with rainbow and brown trout and can be accessed by car along a forest road.
To get more information visit the following links:

• http://www.northcoastni.com/attractions/93/binevenagh-and-benbradagh-mountains/
• http://www.geographical.co.uk/Magazine/UK_Landscapes/Binevenagh_-_Nov_10.html
• http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Londonderry.php

Slemish Mountain

Slemish Mountain, the legendary first known Irish home of Saint Patrick, is  located in Co. Antrim.  The mountain rises about 1500 feet (437 metres) above the surrounding plain, and it is actually the central core of an extinct volcano. Slemish Mountain is open year-round, and on Saint Patrick's Day (17th March) large crowds hike to the top of the mountain as a pilgrimage.

You become better informed about Slemish Mountain on:

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Slemish-Mountain-Ballymena-P1727

  

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard is the highest peak (2,796 feet [852 metres]). It is near the coast at the northeastern end of the Mournes. Slieve Donard is named after Saint Donard, known in Irish as Domhanghairt or Domhanghart. At the summit of Slieve Donard there is a cairn and a small stone tower, which was built as a shelter.This tower is part of the Mourne Wall.

More information on the following links:

• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/548750/Slieve-Donard
• http://www.mourne-mountains.com/mournes/mountains/slieve-donard/

The Mourne Mountains

The melody and words 'Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea' of the popular song have made the Mournes the best-known mountains in Notnern Ireland. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Mourne Mountains are the most picturesque.The Mourne Mountains and its surrounding area provide every outdoor activity. Tourists can trek up to the Mourne Wall, a man-made, dry-stone wall built between 1904 and 1922.

Get more information on:

• http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/mournes/
• http://www.destination360.com/europe/ireland/mourne-mountains

Cavehill Mountain

Cave Hill's famous profile is visible from almost everywhere in Belfast and its famous Napoleon's Nose and McArt's Fort have become ingrained into the social and political history of the city. It is one of the most celebrated landmarks in the hills. All of Belfast can be seen from its peak. Cavehill rises to almost 370 metres (1200 ft) above sea level.

To get more information on this item visit the following links: 

• http://www.belfasthills.org/content/cave-hill-country-park
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavehill

Divis and the Black Mountain

Divis and the Black Mountain rest in the heart of the Belfast Hills and provide a big backdrop to the city's skyline. Divis stands at 478 metres (1,562ft) and Black Mountain at 390 metres (1,275ft) making Divis the highest point in the Belfast Hills.The mountains are a mosaic of grassland, heathland bog and are home to a host of wildlife and archaeological remains.

More information you can get here:

http://www.belfasthills.org/content/divis-and-black-mountain

Flag of Northern Ireland

I may notice that two flags are used in Northern Ireland  official one and unique one. Moreover You can heed another flag - the Irish Tricolour.

  The official one is widely known as Union Jack. The innate flag is called "Ulster Banner" or "Red Hand Flag". Why? For the reason it represents Ulster coat of arms on the background of  a red cross(St. George's Cross). This flag is known as Government of Northern Ireland Flag. The crown above hands symbolize being loyalist to the Queen.

 To get more information on this item visit the following links:

• http://www.northern-ireland-travel.com/northern-ireland-flag.html
• • http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1355428/Northern-Ireland-flag-of

Symbols of Northern Ireland

    When  You  think  about  Northern  Ireland  3 conventional  items come to your mind: shamrock and leprechauns drinking Irish beer and dancing on the rainbow. In next posts I’m eager to shed some light on this ravishing topic and to give some food for thoughts while You’ll compose your general vision of Northern Ireland. 

P.S.On th e picture is shown average  vision of Ireland, but it's far from the reality)

Introduction of our future work

We’re running this blog for many our personal reasons. Although the main goal we are seeking for is making all our readers to feel by their souls this astounding part of the world. We’re eager to discover its history to learn about its transforming into a country we know today. We’ll write you about the most worthwhile routes to travel, places to visit and advise you a  great amount of things to do. Consequently we infinitely hope that all our efforts won’t be in vain and we’ll make you sure in the exceptionality and idiosyncrasy of Northern Ireland.