In case you were considering visiting this little part of the world, perhaps to see the NW200 or to enjoy the local scenery and roads, here is a special guide containing all the information you would need to know.

Head off to the following places on your own or why not have a guided tour with NI Motorcycle Tours based in Islandmagee, Co Antrim.

Good Places to Visit

Causeway Coast
Featuring such wonders as the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle, plus some brilliant riding, this is the one area you should explore if you are on two wheels. Even four wheels are fun, although the narrow roads mean that you shouldn't try this on a Sunday afternoon unless you enjoy not being able to overtake for three hours. The costal road links Larne and Portrush, and passes through lovely places such as Cushendall. A detour from the road will bring to fast, deserted roads and the journey to Ballycastle via the Vanishing Lake is more than worthwhile.

Belfast
Capital of Northern Ireland, and a large selection of pubs to choose from. Looks quite modern, probably because of the you-know-what. Some of the richest glaziers in the world live in this city. From the City Centre, try walking up towards Botanic and the University Area, or drive to the Cave Hill for views over the City and the Lough.

Newcastle
About an hour from Belfast, Newcastle is a seaside town right beside the Mourne mountains. The roads down are reasonably quick, and once you get there, there are always loads of chip shops, other bikers and amusements for playing "Sega Isle of Mann TT".

Dublin
Since you've gone to the bother of catching a ferry, you might as well visit the rest of the Island as well. Dublin is about 2 to 3 hours from Belfast, along the A1. It's sign posted all the way, and roads are fast. Watch out for Police in the 60mph zones on the route.

The Airport
Actually there are several: one big one, situated miles away in the hills over Belfast somewhere, and one pokey one on the road to Bangor. There's another one which serves Stroke City. The airports can be especially good to visit around the middle of July.

Sources of Information

Hotels are generally a good bet, although Bed and Breakfast accommodation is cheap and generally of good quality. If you are planning on visiting during the peakest of peak seasons, it would be a good idea to book well in advance. Here are some links to sites which may be helpful.

Local Customs

When wandering around the pedestrian precincts in Belfast, you might come across a few odd individuals shouting something which seems to sound like "teeeelyiiiooo" in an extremely odd voice. Don't worry, they are only selling the local newspaper, "The Belfast Telegraph".

Similarly, someone shouting "six fer a pound" is probably selling cigarette lighters.

You might be asked "Are you a Prod or a Taig?" which means "Are a member of the Protestant faith, or a member of the Roman Catholic church?" Let your surroundings be your guide to your answer. There is little point saying "I'm Jewish", because you will then be asked "Aye, but are you a Protestant Jew or a Catholic Jew?". Saying "Sorry, I'm English" might get you out of most tricky situations, not only political ones. Saying, "I'm Scottish" is usually better.

Glossary

Although the language of Northern Ireland is English, there is a strong regional dialect. This varies widely within the country -- try and find someone from the Malone Road in Belfast and ask them to have a conversation with someone from Strabane for example. If you simply cannot understand what is being said, you should try the old standby "Sorry, I'm English".

Norn Iron: How the locals pronounce "Northern Ireland"

Stroke City: Another name for the city of Londonderry, in the county of Derry. Comes from calling the City Derry/Londonderry".
Could also refer to the unhealthy local food, including the world famous "Ulster Fry".

Bout ye: Local greeting. Typical answer "Not bad, yurself?"

Yer head's cut: Local phrase, meaning "No, I don't really think so."

Local Trips | Hot Roads