Northern Ireland

Ireland has been a popular destination for tourists and language students for many years, but Northern Ireland is only just beginning to emerge as an attractive destination.

In a travel book published at the end of 2006, Lonely Planet tipped Northern Ireland as one of the must-see countries to visit in 2007. The country is described as "abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits".

After more than 30 years of the violent conflict known as "the Troubles" that began with civil rights marches in the 1960s and ended after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and during which more than 3,000 people died, the people of Northern Ireland are looking forward to a more positive future.

So what does Northern Ireland have to offer the tourist and the language student? Apart from the friendly people there is a wealth of attractions, from the murals in Belfast to forest parks and waterfalls in the Glens of Antrim.

Northern Ireland quiz How much do you and your students know about Northern Ireland? Answer as many of these questions as you can. Go to page	Belfast is Buzzing In this classroom activity Andrew Castles, our very own webmaster, takes us on a quick tour of his hometown. Download the activity in PDF format
Things you should know about Northern Ireland Read about Northern Ireland to check your quiz answers and find the answers to the questions you don't know. Go to page	Starting a school in Belfast What's the future for the ELT business in Northern Ireland? We talk to Jonathan Dykes who's on the point of opening a new school in Belfast. Go to page
Useful contacts You can find out more about Northern Ireland by visiting these Web sites. Go to page