Days out with Kids in Northern Ireland

UKClimbing.com offers a comprehensive list of local climbing centres throughout the UK.

Web: www.ukclimbing.com/databases/listings/clubs.html

Belfast Zoo offers a wonderful family day out. Animals on show include Asia Elephants, African wild dogs, bears, giraffes, camels, zebra, great apes, smaller primates, lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards and an impressive collection of birds from all over the world. An unusual aspect of the zoo is the free-ranging animals that include lemurs and tamarinds allowed to roam around the zoo offering visitors a delightful experience.

Kids days out in Belfast

Welcome to the the home of Northern Ireland's ONLY olympic size Ice Rink, biggest Ten Pin Bowling Alley and best indoor adventure playworld Indiana Land.

Exploris is one of Europe's finest public aquaria where you will see the wonders of the Irish Sea, from 2 metre long conger eels to ponderous octopus.

Web: www.exploris.org.uk

Web: www.wwt.org.uk

Castle Ward is situated in 700 acres approx three miles from the village of Strangford.

Built in 1760, the house has facades in both Classical and Gothic styles. The house and estate are open to the public and include many period rooms, landscaped gardens, a fortified tower house, Victorian laundry, a theatre, restaurant, shop, saw mill and a working cornmill.

The award-winning open-air museum of human settlement in Ireland.

With nearly 6,000 square metres of galleries and large collections of art, history and natural sciences, it's all here to be discovered. The variety and richness of the collections is outstanding, with a constantly changing programme of temporary exhibitions, lectures and talks, films, workshops and family activities, backed up by a supporting cast of publications, educational resources and a superb team of professionals.

The Argory is a superb National Trust house dating from the 1820's, which has remained substantially unchanged from the turn of the century.

The house is situated in 315 acres of woodland overlooking the river Blackwater. The house contains some fascinating furniture including a superb 1824 cabinet organ.

The Dunluce Centre is a large family entertainment complex situated in the heart of Portrush. The centre features unique attractions designed to provide thrills and enjoyment for all the family.

The Centre enjoys a unique and beautiful setting on the edge of the Lough where visitors can learn all about the history, the culture and wildlife in and around Lough Neagh.

The National Cycle Network is 5000 miles of safe, signed, attractive cycle routes, open and mapped in June 2000. It is made up of traffic-free sections and traffic-calmed road and minor roads, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK.

Sustrans is the charity co-ordinating the project and will continue to work with local authorities to expand the Network to a target of 10,000 miles by 2005.

For more information on the National Cycle Network and Sustrans and a copy of their free catalogue of maps, information sheets and technical publications please call the number above or visit their website.

E-Mail: info@nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

For centuries countless visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the Giants Causeway. At the heart of one of Europe's most magnificent coastlines its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire our visitors. To stroll on the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time.

With fabulous views over Ireland’s north coast the Estate includes ruins of the castle, a mausoleum, beautiful gardens and the renowned Mussenden Temple perched on the cliff edge.

This site contains the substantial remains of Lough Erne\'s most important island monastery. St Molaise founded it in the 6th century on an historic pilgrim route to Croagh Patrick. It later became an Augustine Priory of St Mary. The remains include a Romanesque church and a 12th century round tower, crosses and the Priory Church. Visitors can climb the islands most striking feature, the perfect round tower, which is 30 metres tall.

Spanning a chasm some eighty feet deep is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, A two hand railed bridge caged bridge was installed by the National Trust during Easter of 2000.

The area is exceptional in is natural beauty, to the left as you come down the steep hill is Larrybane headland which once stretched out towards Sheep Island and had a promontory fort on the top dating to 800AD, underneath large caves once served as home to boat builders and a safe resting place from winter storms. Facilities include a tea room.

Home to the influential Londonderry family, this impressive eighteenth century mansion houses works of art collected from around the world and is complemented with one of the greatest gardens in the British Isle.

Castle Coole is the family home of the Earls of Belmore. Designed by James Wyatt, this magnificent neo-classical house was completed in 1798. Set in a 700 acre estate with parkland and extensive woods.

The interior of the house was created by some of the leading craftsmen of the late 18th century with chimney pieces carved by Westmacott, plasterwork created by Rose, scagliola columns and pilasters created by Bartoli. Other attractions include the magnificent state rooms with their sumptuous Regency furnishings and the State Bedroom said to have been prepared for a visit by George IV in 1821.

Official agents for Harland & Wolff Titanic memorabilia and the World's ONLY provider of authentic Titanic Boat Tours around the shipyards of Harland & Wolff in Belfast.

Information on many interesting castles throughout Ireland including Blarney Castle.

Web: www.majestic-castles-in-ireland.com