It is the base for the Katie Hannon, a Severn class lifeboat and Ken and Mary, a D class inshore lifeboat of the RNLI. Lifeboats have operated out of Portrush Harbour since 1860.

Attractions in the seaside resort, next to Portstewart, include the famous (at least in Northern Ireland) Barry’s Amusements, Portrush Countryside Centre, the Dunluce Centre and a swimming complex. Also in the town is the renowned Royal Portrush Golf Club which hosted the 1951 British Open Golf championship. There are sandy beaches and rocky beaches to the east and west.

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The name Belfast originates from the Irish B�l Feirste, or the mouth of the Farset (feirste is the genitive of the word fearsaid, “a spindle”), the river on which the city was built. Interestingly, the river Farset has been superseded by the River Lagan as the most important river; the Farset now languishes under the High Street in obscurity. Bridge Street indicates where there was originally a bridge across the Farset.

Belfast saw the worst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement has encouraged large-scale redevelopment, such as Victoria Square, Titanic Quarter and Laganside including the new Odyssey complex and sports arena. Much of the city centre has now been pedestrianised. The city has two airports: Belfast City Airport adjacent to Belfast Lough and Belfast International Airport which is near Lough Neagh. Queen’s University Belfast is the main university in Belfast. The University of Ulster also maintains a campus in the city, which concentrates on fine art and design.

The City Hall, dating from 1906, Queen’s University, Belfast (1849), and other Victorian and Edwardian buildings display a large number of sculptures. Among the grandest buildings are two former banks: Ulster Bank (1860), in Waring Street and Northern Bank (1769), in nearby Donegall Street. Also notable is the Linenhall Library (1788), in Donegall Square North.

The world’s largest dry dock is located in the city, and the giant cranes (Samson and Goliath) of the Harland and Wolff shipyard, builders of the Titanic, can be seen from afar. Other long-gone industries included Irish linen and rope-making.

Sections of the city contain numerous sectarian murals, reflecting the political and religious allegiances of the communities living there: the Shankill Road, East Belfast, Sandy Row, Glencairn, Highfield, Ballygomartin Road, Ballysillan Road, Upper Ardoyne, and Rathcoole, which are almost entirely Protestant, have murals depicting republican violence, loyalty to the British Crown, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association. Conversely, murals on the Falls Road, Poleglass, Marrowbone, New Lodge, Twinbrook and Ardoyne neighborhoods, which are almost entirely Roman Catholic areas feature political themes such as a united Ireland, and the Provisional IRA, as well as traditional folklore and the Irish language. The Irish folk hero C Chulainn has appeared on both republican and loyalist murals, representing the heroic Celtic past for the former and legendary battles between Ulster and the other provinces for the latter.

The ornately decorated Crown Liquor Saloon in Great Victoria Street is notable as being the only bar owned by the National Trust. The Royal Courts of Justice in Chichester Street is home to Northern Ireland’s Supreme Court.

Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast

Ormeau Baths Gallery

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County Antrim is one of the nine counties of Ulster. Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland), a county of Ireland, in the province of Ulster is bounded on the E and N by the sea, W by Londonderry and Lough Neagh, and S by Down. In it is situated an amazing geographical feature called the Giant’s Causeway, consisting of lofty pillars of basalts, all of angular shapes. Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland) was affected by the Industrial Revolution and it became a county of linen production. Bushmill’s whiskey distillery in Antrim is the world’s oldest legal distillery. It sends five members to parliament. The principal rivers are the Bann and Lagan. In the period before the 17th century, when the county was part of the territory of the O’Neills, there was much migration from Scotland. The process accelerated after 1600, with the collapse of the old Irish aristocracy, and in addition to the Scots, many English settlers were given confiscated land.

The Common surnames in Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland) are Smith, Johnston, Thompson, Wilson, Campbell, Hamilton, Stewart, Robinson, Bell, Brown, McDonnell, McCracken and Boyd. The main towns of Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland) are Belfast, Carrickfergus, Antrim, Lisburn, Ballymena, and Ballymoney.

Unlike other parts of Ireland, this area has a tradition of emigration, in the main to North America, which stretches back to the 17th century. This steady stream of Ulstermen and women were largely Presbyterians. Emigration on a large scale became commonplace in the first half of the 18th century. The decade of the Great Famine added impetus to this hemorrhage and again Belfast was the focal point and North America was the destination. However, Britain and Australia also received emigrants in greater numbers.

The Ulster Historical Foundation is designated by the Irish Family History Foundation to provide a genealogical research service for the counties of Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland) and Down (including the City of Belfast) in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Historical Foundation offers a full service to enquirers. In addition to having access to civil records of birth, death and marriages, valuation and tithe records, the Ulster Historical Foundation is in the process of computerising the following church records:

Roman Catholic records commencing in 1798

Church of Ireland records commencing in 1637

Presbyterian records from 1675 and

Non-Subscribing Presbyterian records from 1757

In all a total of 1.5 million records relating to the area have been computerised at the Centre and the computerisation of records continues. The Centre also has access to all records held at the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland.

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Antrim (Self Catering, Antrim, Ireland) makes up the northeast corner of Ireland. A short drive within the county, one can swap between some of the most amazing scenery in the world and one of the friendliest most urbane cities. There are numerous golf clubs, adventure centers, nature reserves, miniature railways, museums, theme parks, castles, historical monuments, archaeological sites, and the oldest whiskey distillery in the World.

In Spinner’s Inn, Belfasts “Linen Theme” bar, one can sit and enjoy the warm and genuine hospitality of their staff. The bar offers a varied programme of entertainment, which include traditional Irish set dancing, folk and traditional Irish music. The legend of Spinner’s sets the tone for the friendly atmosphere that this pub is noted for. Visitors from all over the world have often been captivated with its varied assortment of objects, memorabilia and photographs from Belfast’s famous linen industry dating back to the 1800’s and early 1900’s.Another popular bar you should not let pass is the Clarendon. It sets a high standard, both in food, service and atmosphere. The main courses includes Dutch smoked chicken, which is pan fried and topped with smoked cheese laid upon a creamy onion sauce, Oriental stir fried pork, scampi and bacon, and Beijing beef. And dont you miss the wide choice of sandwiches. There is a good selection of food, homemade and reasonably priced. One of County Antrims most loved pub the House Of McDonnell also known locally as ‘Wee Tom’s’ which has been in trade since 1745. Old beer barrels and wrought iron tables form part of the old world experience here. Reputed to be the home of Irish music, visitors to this pub can hear a variety of traditional music from around the world. A great old place strongly recommended.

Antrim (Hotels, Antrim, Ireland), its truly a county with “the best of both worlds” to offer!!

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Brookhaven Bed & Breakfast

Rating: 3 Star

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