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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would visit Northern Ireland?

240 replies

BlueFlamingoes · 10/08/2025 20:21

Would you visit NI? Why/why not? I always find it interesting how marmite of a place my home is - keen to hear some opinions and maybe dispel a rumour or two :)

OP posts:
Becs258 · 10/08/2025 21:07

Years back I would have been wary, but I visited last year and loved it. Can’t wait to explore more. My eldest worked on Rathlin Island for a bit and we’ve loved hearing all the stories.

Bambamhoohoo · 10/08/2025 21:05

peepsypops · 10/08/2025 20:50

Based on?

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Are you seriously demanding a black person justify that to you?

wolleywool · 10/08/2025 21:04

Dunluce castle is an absolutely cracking ruin

it's amazing

Mustbethat · 10/08/2025 21:03

DollydaydreamTheThird · 10/08/2025 20:49

Unpopular opinion but I didn't really like Australia and my family live there too. I thought it was just like anywhere. I'd been travelling in Asia before I went so maybe doing Australia after such a culturally rich experience was a bit of an anti climax. I'll probably get flamed for this but at least it is anonymous. 🤣

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Same.

I did like some parts- being able to drive from place to place, stop in motel type places and go kayaking, walking, see nature etc.

But generally not a place that’s on my list to revisit.

CrickityCrickets · 10/08/2025 21:00

I have, it's beautiful and the people I met are lovely. I don't have any family there, I go purely because it's great!

RIPMTV · 10/08/2025 21:00

It’s a shame Ireland and NI are seen as racist. I think England is much worse in places,

Having said that, I think like everywhere in Europe, the anti immigration rhetoric has been whipped up a lot recently, so I can understand why black or Asian people might not want to visit,

My DH of many years is black and our kids (now grown up) are mixed. They’ve always felt completely fine and had no issues, whether in rural Ireland, cities or the north.

My DH had one hairy moment in the early 90s when he was mistaken for a British soldier in west Belfast (the only black men you’d see round there in those days).

TheDogsMother · 10/08/2025 21:00

MumOfManyAliases · 10/08/2025 20:23

Yes I would visit NI. Would I visit London? No.

Why wouldn’t you visit London ? It’s a great city with so many different areas so you couldn’t really say you don’t like it.

Mumofmarauders · 10/08/2025 20:59

evtheria · 10/08/2025 20:37

Yes! But I have distant relatives there, and have been many times before since young. I think even if I didn’t know anyone there I’d like to go, do some walks or a cottage stay… Most of the people I know who’ve gone as tourists only go to Belfast for just a couple days, seeing the Titanic museum and pubs, which is a shame considering the lovely, blustery coast. I do struggle to think of ‘visitor attractions’ - I think they could do a music museum, a bit like the one in Seattle, covering things from traditional folk music to the more modern, famous Irish, and having special spaces to hold small gigs or larger shows. I guess there’s that GoT thing which I wouldn’t be bothered with, though I do love a ruin or creepy forest.

Dunluce castle is an absolutely cracking ruin with amazing views (we love Narnia and it’s apparently an inspiration for Caer Paravel too). We had it almost to ourselves when we went!

hepsitemiz · 10/08/2025 20:57

Didn’t know how to vote, but I’ve loved my two previous visits and would happily go again should the occasion arise.

Original poster
BlueFlamingoes · 10/08/2025 20:56

Letsgodancing · 10/08/2025 20:49

I have always heard NI, you are never more than an hour from a city, countryside, beach or mountains (I cannot say how true that is ) I went to visit a relative at uni there around 2010, I was only young at the time but it appeared that they had put so much money into improving the city of Belfast and there were some great places in belfast.

Edited

This is what I really enjoy. We live in the suburbs of Belfast - 15 mins from the city centre, 5 mins from forest/countryside and 20 mins from the beach. It’s brilliant! We have relatives in England and I always struggle with how driving hours to get to the beach etc is normal there.

OP posts:
NightPuffins · 10/08/2025 20:56

I went recently for a long weekend in Belfast and also saw the giant’s causeway. I’m not sure what else I would visit if I went again so I’d love to hear from you OP as a “local” what you recommend for a second trip? It was so easy to fly over from London and I enjoyed what I saw, I just don’t know what else there is.

Judiezones · 10/08/2025 20:55

I visited NI for the first time two years ago. We loved it. The beautiful coastline and countryside, extremely friendly people, lovely and interesting places to visit. It was one of our favourite holidays.

Mumofmarauders · 10/08/2025 20:55

My best friend from uni is from, and went back to NI to live after we graduated, so i and my family go about once a year to visit (and vice versa). We love it! (Mind you, we are not sun seekers, so we’re not put off by drizzle/rain).

user2848502016 · 10/08/2025 20:55

Yes I have done twice, it’s beautiful and I would go again

Original poster
BlueFlamingoes · 10/08/2025 20:55

DollydaydreamTheThird · 10/08/2025 20:49

Unpopular opinion but I didn't really like Australia and my family live there too. I thought it was just like anywhere. I'd been travelling in Asia before I went so maybe doing Australia after such a culturally rich experience was a bit of an anti climax. I'll probably get flamed for this but at least it is anonymous. 🤣

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I think it fitted me/DD well as we both like our home comforts! I loved that it felt quite familiar in terms of culture etc yet obviously has a wildly different landscape, attractions etc. So much to see and do in one country. It was the perfect balance for us. DD did broach the idea of travelling south east Asia but quickly realised it wouldn’t be for her🤣

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 10/08/2025 20:54

Yes, I've been a good few times and I love it there.

I'm English, DH is Irish and we live in Ireland so these days it's an easy place for us to visit.

The first time I went it was 1991 and I was still living in England. I remember my DM was very worried about 'something happening to us' but of course nothing did. DH and I spent a week travelling around exploring NI, staying in B&Bs and we had a great time.

Mustbethat · 10/08/2025 20:52

Pebbles16 · 10/08/2025 20:38

It's on my list of places I really want to visit. Just haven't managed it thus far.
I am curious as to why you think it would be Marmite.

Same.

isn’t it more people who haven’t gone can’t see past the news descriptions. The troubles, military, politics.

much like Beirut. It’s still used to describe a war zone, but outside of those issues it’s a very beautiful place.

Shopgirl1 · 10/08/2025 20:50

Portrush I meant. Not Portadown. Maybe I was there too though

peepsypops · 10/08/2025 20:50

materialgworl · 10/08/2025 20:47

As a black person, I wouldn’t visit but would go if work related

Based on?

Letsgodancing · 10/08/2025 20:49

I have always heard NI, you are never more than an hour from a city, countryside, beach or mountains (I cannot say how true that is ) I went to visit a relative at uni there around 2010, I was only young at the time but it appeared that they had put so much money into improving the city of Belfast and there were some great places in belfast.

stillhiding1990 · 10/08/2025 20:49

I’ve been twice, it’s lovely

Astrabees · 10/08/2025 20:49

No. I don't like the accent and I have little sympathy for the occupants who do not ant a united Ireland. I also feel it is too much effort to travel there when I could go to France or Italy instead.

RIPMTV · 10/08/2025 20:49

Yes. I’ve been to Belfast several times (been visiting since childhood as my parents have a few friends there) and Derry once. Found both places really interesting and I’d particularly like to go back to Belfast as I haven’t been since 2010.

I’d also like to do some more touristy stuff in the north, like the Giants Causeway.

DollydaydreamTheThird · 10/08/2025 20:49

BlueFlamingoes · 10/08/2025 20:45

Very jealous! DD spent her gap year travelling around Australia and we were lucky enough to go out and visit her a few months ago. Such an amazing country - will definitely be back

Show quote history

Unpopular opinion but I didn't really like Australia and my family live there too. I thought it was just like anywhere. I'd been travelling in Asia before I went so maybe doing Australia after such a culturally rich experience was a bit of an anti climax. I'll probably get flamed for this but at least it is anonymous. 🤣

Shopgirl1 · 10/08/2025 20:49

Yes, I’ve been there a few times, spent a few weekends in Belfast, don’t love the city if I’m honest, but really liked the titanic tour and shopping. Loved the Antrim coast and giants causeway. Also Portadown. I was also in Derry many years ago but my memory of that is quite hazy.