What's Better to Visit Northern or Southern Ireland?

Question

I have limited time to visit Ireland and tour packages have either Northern or Southern options for the amount of days I'll be there. So what is everyones opinion...overall and which one is more beautiful and worth my time?

Answer 1

I might be a little biased as I live in the north.  Both parts of Ireland are great in different ways.  If you really can't make up your mind, you could go somewhere along the border.  Though if you're going on a package deal then maybe they don't have this option.  I disagree with the comment that Northern Ireland is a British experience.  It depends what areas you go to of course, and what you are hoping to get out of the visit.  I personally would reccomend around Carlingford lough (it's right on the border) for scenery or certain parts of Donegal.  Dublin of course is a good visit but is very touristy.  Ballycastle is lovely too with the Giants Causeway.  And I love Galway.

Have a look through different websites or books for these places or any others you have heard of and see if one jumps out at you.

Answer 2

Republic of Ireland would be better

Answer 3

The people in the south are easier to understand and are more friendly and N. Ireland is cold and dark and gloomy.There is lots to do in the South compared to the north as the north only been occupied since 1600s where Dublin has been since 1200s. For the best information unbiased try discoverireland.ie or com

Answer 4

Northern Ireland is obvioly part of the UK, which makes it a little more developed. Either place that you has beautiful places, and cities. If you live in the US the dollar to the pound is not good so it will be very expenseive, thouh this is not so in S. Ireland.  They are the same island so they are quite similar.  I don't think that you will regret either one. Personally I would go to S. Ireland.  Another place nearby that I reccomend is the Cottswalds in England if had the choice to go their instead.

Answer 5

They are both really beautiful places, and I have done 3 day tours of both. Personally, I would reccommend Northern Ireland as it has so much history and the stories that the cities hold are really amazing. I did a tour with Shamrocker (part of Haggis Adventures) and we had a fantastic time, and saw some really amazing places! The tour does actually leave from Dublin, so you could always spend a couple of days there first if you have the time!

Answer 6

southern of course!! the capital dublin for a start will satisfy your shopping needs for weeks  and the scenic kerry and galway

Answer 7

Well I am biased cause I live in Southern Ireland but the scenery down here is gorgeous. Kerry, Cork etc are just out of this world.

Also you get better value with our currency (Euro) compared to the Norths currency (Pound)

Answer 8

Well, do you mean N.Ireland and the Republic of Ireland or the southern part of the Republic? I'd say if you weren't doing a pre-packaged tour - do both, it's a very small country/island, easy to se much of it in a short stay. I guess the Republic is your best bet. I liked both, the North is much less touristy  - but the Republic has a lot of variety and beauty...and Dublin of course. Have a nice trip.

Answer 9

i enjoyed more of S. Ireland. I went to only 1 place in N. Ireland and it was totally different. S. is bigger and more stuff to look at also. It's a bit odd due to the british flags hanging everywhere and the fact you have touse pounds instead of euro's but both are beautiful

Answer 10

Id say south. Cheaper because of the euro, it would be more expensive up north as its the pound.

The South of Ireland there is great scenery, lakes, mountains etc. There is also castles you could visit, the national museum, the guiness factory, Trinity College, which holds the book of Kells, Burren.

The North has its spots aswell, but is expensive and is more developed. They have the giants causeway!

Answer 11

both ar beautiful nd both are commercialzd now but ireland is very beautiful i am byist as i live in the midlands in southern ireland but southern ireland has more variety in countys i recommend visitin dublin and also the midlands hav beautiful lakes!!!!!! enjoy ur irish experience wat ever u pic enjoy the culture nd the craic!!!!!!

Answer 12

In response to the first answer, northern ireland is not as developed as the republic in the south, if it was why are we in the republic giving development assistance to the north, also Northern ireland is not self sufficient and that is not the mark of a more developed country.

If you want a largly irish experience then come to the republic, if you want a watered down semi irish experience(like an irish themed pub in britan, but not owned or run by irish people) then go to Northern ireland.

Answer 13

northern ireland is a  really cool place to go but id say that its a kind of british experience..............so if you want real traditional irish go southern.....

do go to northern ireland too sometime though

Answer 14

I say southern Ireland. Eventhough all of Ireland is beautiful you have the "main" sight seeing attractions, the blarney stone, guinness factory, Dublin, waterford crystal factory, the ring of kerry etc. And it is much much much cheaper in southern ireland then in northern ireland.

Answer 15

Dublin is a beautiful old city with lot to do and a great history but the south is very touristy and very expensive. The north also has a lot of history, it boasts ireland's first inhabitants (it has more neolithic standing stones & dolmens than any other part of ireland), it's also St. Patrick's country, plus is has living history in the two cutures & recent troubles of the north. Far from having a 'watered down irishness' it's more real with less of the tacky leprachauns, shamrocks & stupid hats you'll find in the south! I would say squeeze in both and if you go to the republic at least try to visit belfast for the day, it's less than a two hour drive from dublin!

Answer 16

I would say Southern Ireland. I just went recently and went all over, Cork, Galway, etc. I know someone from Northern Ireland and they of course are biased to the north. Like many people have said before though, Northern operates on the Pound, so things will be more expensive.

Answer 17

southern no competition