Susan pictured on Rathlin Island
Not only have I jumped into Northern Ireland but  I have fallen truly, madly deeply in love with it following a recent trip up there on a sublime day out to Rathlin Island.

Up there differentiates the North from the South ie the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) which is Irish and the wee North (six counties) which is technically British, with the population still divided over which country it should really belong to. I know it’s confusing, but thankfully the ‘troubles’ are over and Northern Ireland is doing its best to rebuild its reputation as a safe and wonderful destination to visit.

Belfast is the capital /main city (it’s impossible to be politically correct) and is enjoying a great revival with the opening of the Titanic Quarter this centenary year, which has focused the worlds media on a formally forgotten corner of Ireland, that is well worth exploring.

Less than 2 hours from Dublin, Belfast is the gateway to the glens of Antrim and the famous Giants Causeway Dunluce Castle which is on most tourists itineraries. But there is so much more to see where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, Carlingford and its Lough. 

Belfast itself and that fantastic coastal drive through Cushendall, Cushendun, Carnlough, Torr Head and all the way around to Portrush (a famous golf resort) via Ballycastle and the Carrick-a-rede ropebridge, no doubt you have all seen that photo? I hope to explore all the above and more this summer so you can look forward to lots of Northern Hidden Gems been added to my website over the next couple of months and as always if you have any suggestions of your own you would like to include please let me know via email, in the meantime...