City life
Belfast
Capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast has been transformed by massive private and public sector investment to become one of the most dynamic in Europe. It is a preferred location for those seeking a stimulating and invigorating weekend break.
Over the past decade, the city has developed into a major conference and convention centre, following investments totalling over £300 million in the tourism infrastructure and which include the rebranding of the city’s historic quarters.
A city rich in Victorian and Edwardian architecture standing side by side with new state-of-the-art convention centres and hotels, Belfast is now filled with atmospheric pubs, cafés, modern shopping malls with top international retailers and trendy boutiques. Award-winning restaurants with celebrity chefs such as Paul Rankin 
and Michael Deane have encouraged others to follow their path, many specialising in dishes using the abundant fresh local produce from Northern Ireland’s farms and fishing fleet. It’s also a city renowned for the hospitality and humour of its people.
An increasingly cosmopolitan city, Belfast is now home to thousands of people of Asian origin, as well as Indians, Pakistanis and Africans. The city has long had a strong Jewish community, Islam and other faiths are also growing.
Londonderry
The largest urban centre outside Belfast, Londonderry is one of the fastest growing Northern Ireland regions. It is now driving the economic growth of the North West of Ireland.
With a population of 105,000, the city is the regional hub for education, healthcare and public administration with a university and further education campuses, regional hospital and offices of regional government.
It is also the base for a growing number of dynamic local companies and international firms such as Seagate Technology, DuPont, Invista, Stream International, Northbrook Technology, Raytheon and Home Loan Management.
Huge investment has created a new port, hotels, restaurants, retail malls, museums and galleries. The city has successfully maintained its historic character of narrow streets within the historic and imposing walls.
Armagh
Ireland’s oldest city and religious capital, Armagh is also the city of Saint Patrick and burial place of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (941AD – 1014AD). It is a progressive city and fascinating, reflecting 6,500 years of activity. The legacy of Patrick endures to today with the city’s two cathedrals named in his honour.
A natural gateway to the Republic of Ireland it is bordered with Lough Neagh to the north and wild mountains to the south. Such a location and history means a wide variety of activities are on offer such as hiking, cycling, country parks, National Trust properties, museums, cathedrals and a modern theatre. There’s even a 20ft giant who narrates Jonathan Swift’s most famous book "Gulliver’s Travels".
The city’s Georgian buildings are seen at their best around the Mall. The City Centre Mall, which has a cricket square at its centre, is one of Ireland's finest urban parks and is encircled by a number of Armagh's renowned architectural assets including the Gaol, Court House and the Scotch Church.
Lisburn
Located in the picturesque Lagan Valley just a few miles south of Belfast, Lisburn is a thriving business centre at the heart of a cluster of typical Northern Irish towns and villages including the beautiful and historic Hillsborough. The magnificent Hillsborough Castle has played host to many Royal visitors and foreign dignitaries as well as serving as the official residence of the Secretary of State.
The city is one of the historic centres of Irish Linen and is home to the award-winning Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, which houses a major exhibition of the history of Irish linen, with hands-on participation in linen manufacturing and hand loom weavers producing linen on restored 19th century looms.
Newry
The historic city of Newry nestles between two areas of outstanding natural beauty, the splendid Mountains of Mourne in South Down and the Ring of Gullion in South Armagh. It also has two of the oldest churches in Ireland.
Today Newry is a bustling and enterprising commercial centre that’s looking to the future and developing its position as the main access point between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The Greater Newry area has been consistently creating more sustainable, independent and wealth-generating businesses than any other area of Northern Ireland.
With its wealth of shops, bars and cafés, and proximity to Carlingford Lough, Warrenpoint Harbour and not forgetting various golf courses, it has developed into a thriving tourist, leisure and shopping venue. A Euro friendly zone, almost all of Newry’s retailers offer dual currency facilities.