Nation guide

Nordirland

Northern Ireland is in the north-east of the island of Ireland and shares an open border with the Republic of Ireland. Its 2021 census population was 1,903,175, around 3% of the UK total.

Below: every Britlens guide in Northern Ireland, its national parks, World Heritage Sites, islands and protected landscapes, and which ones we have not covered yet. For what differs between the four nations (health care, bank holidays, banknotes), see the four nations.

  • LocationNorth-east of the island of Ireland
  • Population (2021 census)1,903,175
  • Share of UK populationAround 3%
  • BorderOpen border with the Republic of Ireland
Besucher auf den Basaltsäulen des Giant's Causeway am Meer
Nordirland
A tall block of basalt columns at the Giant's Causeway
The Causeway Coast
Belfast City Hall and its green dome beyond the gardens of Donegall Square
Belfast city centre & Cathedral Quarter

Our guides in Northern Ireland

1 destination guide, each with area mini-guides, things to do, places to eat and stay, and how to get there.

Nationalparks

National Parks UK lists 15 national parks, all in England, Scotland and Wales, so there are none in Northern Ireland. See the protected landscapes below.

All 15 UK national parks, with walking safety notes

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Northern Ireland and our coverage
SiteListedStatusOur pages
Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast1986Guide availableThe Causeway Coast, Nordirland
Moravian Church Settlements2024No guide yetNearest guide: Northern Ireland

All UK World Heritage Sites

Islands

Island groups visitors ask about, and whether we cover them yet.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

From our selection of 21; the full list is on the National Landscapes Association site.

Local government districts

Northern Ireland has 11 local government districts. 5 overlap a Britlens guide. The county directory shows the nearest guide for each.

Reise planen

Quellen

Guide counts and coverage are generated from the guides on this site; facts about Northern Ireland come from the sources below, read on 2026-11-01.

  1. Wikipedia: Northern Ireland (opens in new tab). Location, 2021 census population and share, open border. Checked on 2026-11-01.
  2. Discover Northern Ireland (opens in new tab). Official tourism site for Northern Ireland (page loaded). Checked on 2026-11-01.
  3. Wikipedia: National parks of the United Kingdom (opens in new tab). National parks by nation. Checked on 2026-11-01.
  4. Wikipedia: List of World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom (opens in new tab). World Heritage Sites by nation. Checked on 2026-11-01.
  5. National Parks UK (opens in new tab). The 15 national parks are across England, Scotland and Wales. Checked on 2026-11-01.

Fotonachweise

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits