The ‘Giant’s Causeway’ in Northern Ireland is the number three visitor attraction in the UK – that is what the Lonely Planet Guide is suggesting – maybe it’s based on visitor numbers, constructively based on our own perception we would doubt that it is.
Lonely Planet’s ‘Ultimate UK Travelist’, features many attractions from the Island of Ireland when it was unveiled on the 13th August, and it’s pleasing to see some parts of Northern Ireland get more exposure.
Tourism Ireland said they intend to leverage this accolade for Northern Ireland via its social channels – highlighting the news to its fans and followers across GB, via Facebook and Twitter –
Marketing wise it is nice to see some new attractions listed, such as those located in Fermanagh – we have always been surprised how little exposure the Marble Arch Caves and Geo park (An International UNESCO site) has had in decades past.
Surprisingly they have not included the ‘The Stairway to Heaven’ in the list, despite featuring it previously online (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/05/02/fermanaghs-stairway-to-heaven-social-media-star/)
Another location we have enjoyed in the past that is badly undermarketed is the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.
Northern Ireland is not a big place but given the road network it is harder for tourism attractions to promote themselves, especially as mentioned already those located in the West (Derry, Fermanagh, Tyrone) – so this is welcome promotional and marketing exposure.
Other Northern Ireland attractions/experiences listed (With our own opinion) in the new ‘Ultimate UK Travellist’ include:
Northern Ireland attractions / experiences included in Lonely Planet’s ‘Ultimate UK Travelist’ include:
- Armagh Robinson Library – Never been
- Black Taxi Tour, Belfast – Good
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Great
- Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast – Great
- Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast – Good
- Derry’s city walls – Okay
- Devenish Island – Great
- Downhill Demesne – Never been
- Dunluce Castle – Great
- Enniskillen Castle – Okay
- Follow the path of Ireland’s patron saint – Never done
- Giant’s Causeway – ranked #3 by Lonely Planet’s Guide – Overrated but def worth going to
- The Gobbins – Great
- Marble Arch Caves – Great
- Mourne Mountains – Great
- Rathlin Island – Great
- Seamus Heaney HomePlace – Never been
- St George’s Market, Belfast – Great
- Titanic Belfast – Great
- Ulster Museum, Belfast – Okay
