Northern Ireland is ever present in the news today due to political strife and religious bigotry. But there’s another side to it. A very beautiful, tranquil, breathtaking side to it. I’ve lived here all my life and I never get tired of exploring the countryside and visiting places of interest. What I’d like to do is give you an idea of the real Northern Ireland, the NI that I live with every day and that hardly anyone gets to see. I’d like to give you an idea of what you can expect if you were to come visit us for a holiday! Be brave, we don’t shoot everyone!

The Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder. The Causeway proper is a mass of basalt columns packed tightly together. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Altogether there are 40,000 of these stone columns, mostly hexagonal but some with four, five, seven and eight sides. The tallest are about 40 feet high, and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 90 feet thick in places. A fine circular walk will take you down to the Grand Causeway, past amphitheatres of stone columns and formations with fanciful names like the Honeycomb, the Wishing Well, the Giant's Granny and the King and his Nobles, past Port na Spaniagh where the Spanish Armada ship Girona foundered, past wooden staircase to Benbane Head and back along the cliff top.

A drive along what is known locally as The Coast Road takes you directly into Larne, passing through a number of small villages along the way. From here it’s a short hop into Belfast. Where do I start with Belfast? Well, since the peace process really took off millions of pounds have been poured into the city. Regeneration is reaching all corners but Belfast has particularly benefited. The most recent addition to the city is the Odyssey complex which boasts an Imax Cinema, ice rink, concert arena and the W5 attraction which will have children of all ages enthralled. It’s an interactive learning zone where kids can make their own slime in one of the laboratories with loads of other activities. Belfast boasts some of the best pubs and restaurants in Ireland and if you do nothing else, you have to go to the Crown for a pint of the black stuff. The Opera House has magnificent architecture and City Hall with it’s green domed roof is well worth a look. The city centre is a thriving shopping centre with all the usual chain stores and small independents too. Tours are available of all the places of interest and if you want to see the more gritty side of Belfast, tours are available for that too.

We also have some of the best trout and salmon fishing in the world in NI and I do know that some tour operators are selling fishing packages. Now to golf. We have dozens of golf courses among them Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club. Less than five miles apart they are (apparently) the creme de la creme of golf courses. I don’t play myself but those who do never give over about how good they are.

What I will tell you is this, getting here is cheap and easy. Staying here is cheap, a B&B will set back around £15 per person per night sharing, although most B&B’s do weekly for fortnightly rates.