It’s beautiful, it’s friendly, it’s fun and it’s interesting!
History – The Walled City of Derry
A walk around the walls in Derry~Londonderry reveals a splendid city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene.
This is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. The Walls were built during the period 1613-1618 by the honourable, the Irish Society as defences for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland.
The Walls, which are approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day.
Sport – Portrush Golf Club
Voted Number 7 in the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest (2017).
Founded in 1888, the legendary Royal Portrush Golf Club has two Championship Courses – the renowned Dunluce Course and the smaller but equally enjoyable Valley Course. Both command impressive views across the North Atlantic with breathtaking views of Scotland and Donegal.
The 148th Open will be played at Royal Portrush in 2019, marking a historic return to Northern Ireland for golf’s oldest and most international Championship after nearly 70 years. The Open, which was played at Royal Portrush in 1951, when Englishman Max Faulkner lifted the famous Claret Jug, is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland.
The Great Outdoors – The Sperrins
Hidden away in the heart of Ulster lies the Tyrone and the Sperrins an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a dramatic environment millions of years in the making and with a thousand and one secrets awaiting to be discovered. This scenic heartland offers a complete taste of rural Ireland and features some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes – the heather clad hills of the high Sperrins; the rich and fast flowing rivers of the Foyle; the vastness of Lough Neagh, and the wonderfully sculpted fields and townlands of County Tyrone.
Mysterious sentinels and ancient stones dot an enchanted landscape which today provides the perfect backdrop for a wide range of get away breaks and activities . Enjoy everything from challenging treks, extreme off road driving, and adrenaline pumping mountain biking to romantic retreats and family fun in the great outdoors – all packaged with a warm welcome, and wonderful places to eat and stay.
The Night Life – Pubs and Bars in Derry-Londonderry
From traditional music, to folk music, country music to dance…there is something for everyone. The City of Derry-Londonderry is compact enough for the perfect pub crawl..with lots of pubs and friendly locals to recommend where you could try next.
We are night owls in this part of the world with live music often not starting until 10pm or later, so stop for a good dinner first and make a night of it. Food opens range from the local to the exotic and visitors are often amazed at the great value offerings available.
At The White Horse Hotel, we have live music every Friday and Saturday in our cosy lounge bar, so you can still enjoy the ‘craic’ even if you’ve already had a long day of sightseeing. With a range of cocktails and local spirits (including Derry’s Quiet Man Whiskey) as well as soft drinks, beers and wines..there is something for everyone.
The Scenery – The Causeway Coast
Stretching from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry and taking in some of Ireland’s most incredible sights, the Causeway Coastal Route is a true legend
Hugging the Atlantic coast from Derry~Londonderry to Belfast – or vice versa – the Causeway Coastal Route is studded with sandy beaches, fishing villages, gorse-covered valleys and fuchsia-edged clifftop paths. Absorbing this epic landscape from the car is wonderful, but the other senses could be missing out! The sounds of the crashing waves, the birds soaring up above, the salty taste from the sea on your lips and the wind whistling past your ears – these are all part of this legendary land’s beauty.
So settle down in a B&B, cosy cottage or hotel in one of a scattering of welcoming towns or villages, and pick a few gems to explore each day. Like a sip of Bushmills Whiskey, every second on the Causeway Coastal Route should be savoured every step of the way.
