A guide to Northern Ireland

Somewhere to go, and what you need to know before you leave the house.

Places worth going, the outdoors, everyday living, days out and public services, explained in plain English.

Browse the five sections

The five sections

Where would you like to start

White-washed houses and McBride's pub on the main street in Cushendun, County Antrim

Places

Beaches, parks and trails, and the villages worth a detour.

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A stony path above Ben Crom Reservoir, looking along the valley into the Mourne Mountains

Outdoors

Hiking, wild swimming and wildlife across Northern Ireland.

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A kitchen food waste caddy with a council recycling guide on the lid

Living

Recycling, home energy and everyday practical guidance.

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A surfaced woodland path running beside a stream through ferns and bluebells

Days out

Family days, free things to do and where to go with kids.

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A pile of unopened letters, a bank card, reading glasses and a pen on a wooden table by a window

Explained

Public services and processes, explained in plain English.

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Hand-picked

Guides people come back to

The sandy curve of Helen's Bay beach with a wooded headland behind

Places

The best beaches near Belfast, in 90 minutes or less

The sand, dunes and rock pools within easy reach of the city, from the well-known to the ones most people drive straight past.

A double-edge safety razor taken apart: bamboo handle, top cap, blade and base plate

Living

I switched to a double-edge safety razor

What it actually saved, and what nobody tells you about the learning curve.

Driftwood on the sand at Murlough beach under a dark sky, cold green sea behind the dunes

Outdoors

Best locations for cold water swimming in NI

Where locals actually go, and what to check before you get in.

Two people walking two dogs along the tideline at Murlough beach, the Mourne Mountains in the distance

Places

The best dog-friendly beaches in NI

Where dogs are properly welcome, not just tolerated on a lead.

For organisations

Partnerships and public-sector digital work

MyNI works with public bodies and Northern Ireland brands on content partnerships, and doubles as proof of capability for a public-sector digital marketing consultancy.

See how partnerships work

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Planning a trip to Rathlin

The wake of the Rathlin ferry, with the island's coastline to one side

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Getting the Rathlin ferry from Ballycastle

Sailings, fares and how to book ahead in summer, when the passenger ferry fills up early. The crossing takes about 25 to 45 minutes depending on the vessel.

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