To ask if you would visit Northern Ireland?

I suppose the places with lots of union jacks and kerbs painted red, white, blue wouldn’t feel particularly welcome to some?

It would be a me problem if I wanted to go. I don't.

Where are they? And how would anyone know? I haven’t heard my Catholic family members (who are in mixed marriages) mention no go zones.

There's still plenty of places in northern Ireland that Catholics wouldn't be welcome.

Was at a wedding in Cookstown in 2008 but didn't get a proper chance to sightsee. Would love to go over for a week and explore.

Grandad on my mum's side is originally from Newtonards.

I live an hour away from the border with NI. If I'm honest, I find NI quite underwhelming. I've been up quite a lot. The roads are crap.

I visited NI a few years ago from ROI and was warned by friends (from NI themselves) that the town I was visiting was a very Protestant one so to be careful where we parked the car with our southern reg. This was about 9 or 10 years ago now though.

I think that is a "you" problem not a NI one

Yes. Maybe Belfast but the coast and countryside interest me far more. My DD went to Belfast and did a “troubles” tour. She wasn’t keen. So I think it very much depends on what you want to see.

'Lived there for a few years. As an English person (with Irish roots), I was always othered'

There does seem to still be rampant othering. Lots of flags everywhere not just republicans or loyalist but flags for other conflicts too. Where I live I've never seen a flag anywhere.

And yet hundreds of thousands of practising Catholics live there quite happily now.

Born and raised in England to an Irish mother and English father. I'm a practising Catholic. Honestly I wouldn't ever feel comfortable in Northern Ireland. I know people will say times have changed but I wouldn't go!

Well, I was there a couple of hours ago picking up a parcel from OOHPod.. but I guess that's not what you mean :)

I've been to the Giant's causeway, and to the fantastic fun inflatable park and indoor skydiving, I've been shopping, and I really want to go as far north as I can and get a chance to see the northern lights.

When the kids are a bit older, I also fully intend to go axe-throwing at a place that I follow on Facebook.

I'm not going to deny, the weather sucks (but then it's not a huge amount better in the UK/the rest of Ireland) but the scenery is fantastic (as it is for all of the wilder bits of the UK - the Scottish coast is also beautiful).

If I was coming from the UK, I would defo go via Dublin though - the duty free prices make it very worth the short extra drive.

Yes, of course. Why not? I had a fabulous holiday there years ago, and the people were lovely. 😊

@Mustbethat I LOVED Beirut. It was a very sobering experience, but such a beautiful country, lovely people and great food.

I felt the same as previous posters in Australia. It's a long way to go to feel like you're in England

NI feels less English to me than Australia TBH (I don't mean that in a "not BRITISH" way or related to republican/unionist stuff, I mean specifically English-ey, same as how Scotland is not "English-ey")

I feel it's much more refreshing in its differences from England, and therefore a better holiday, than Australia is.

And a lovely 1-day walk if you want to get outside Belfast https://walkni.com/walks/north-down-coastal-path/

Belfast is one of the most welcoming cities I’ve ever been to in Europe. Amazing people and it’s stee r in really interesting history.

NI is a great and very affordable place to visit. It's an undiscovered part of these islands for most people. I'm biased, but I'd recommend the whole coast from Down through Antrim. Lots of nice beaches, scenery, towns, great coastal walks, nice tee/coffee shops, etc. There is also an incredible variety when you think about the mountains in south part of Down, the flatter coaster paths in the north, the Antrim glens, Rathlin and so on.

It's also much more accessible for a short trip than other trips that people take to west coast of Scotland (which is amazing!) or Cornwall (not a big fan! too busy).

Yes, we have just been. Giants Causeway was amazing. easyJet cancelled our flight so we missed a day. We are looking forward to going back to do the things that we missed.

Have been a few times as DH is from there and still lots of family over there. I don't know if it would've been high on my travel list if I hadn't met DH though

The view from Mussenden temple is amazing. I really don't think you can beat the beaches.

Yes exactly how I felt. It was a bit meh in comparison to the sights, sounds and smells of Asia. I also found some Aussies rather racist at times as well which was not what I had expected. Considering it is such a multicultural society I was rather shocked my this. I did have a fab time and I have great memories but I wouldn't rush back.

Been to Belfast twice - loved it. The people are awesome! Very like Glasgow/Scotland I thought, in that they were open and welcoming and we had a great time in the pubs just getting chatting to people. Would defo come again and see more of NI.