Northern Ireland town backed as tourism venue

Those riding ferries from Belfast to Stranraer may be doing so happily on their return journey home after a memorable trip to Northern Ireland.

So says South African Glynn Orchin, who wrote an article for the BBC explaining how he fell in love with the town of Bangor after moving there from his homeland.

Mr Orchin explained that this change of lifestyle meant leaving behind the sub-tropical warmth and landscape of his hometown of Hillcrest, near Durban.

Yet the very different attractions of Bangor are ones the ex-pat has come to love, describing nearby Belfast as a "vibrant and cosmopolitan" city and noted the Titanic was built there.

He added: "Further afield leads you to ancient castle ruins, lakes, quaint villages, mountains and of course the traditional Irish pubs - tin whistles and fiddles included. 

"The grass never withers with the seasons, which is why Ireland as a whole is often referred to as the Emerald Isle - it certainly does have 40 shades of green."

He even praised the local beaches, despite coming from a part of the world famous for its surfing.

Mr Orchin's reference to the Titanic may offer another reason to visit, with the centenary of the sinking approaching (April 14th-15th).

A huge new visitor centre is being opened in the city on March 31st, enabling people to discover all about the building of the ship and what Belfast was like in the early 20th century, its fateful voyage, the aftermath and even see footage from the wreck site at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Having been built in Ireland, it was perhaps appropriate that the Emerald Isle was the last land ever seen by the ship and some of its passengers as the ship docked at Cobh (Cork) en route from Southampton, before setting off across the ocean on a journey it never completed. 

But those enjoying the landscape and history of Northern Ireland may wish to make many return visits.

Posted by Mark Robinson
 

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