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Ireland Home Exchange


 Magical countryside, vibrant big city, dramatic coast:
Northern Ireland has it all
and IVHE homes you’ll love.

Photo source: flickr, Etrusia UK
Northern Ireland is the smallest country in the United Kingdom. You can drive from the Mountains of Mourne in the south to the pounding surf on the North Coast in about 2.5 hours. And marvel at natural beauty all the way. Northern Ireland is a good thing in a small package that holds the promise of a big, exciting holiday.
Photo source: flickr, Iker Merodio 
Belfast, the country’s capital, is situated in County Antrim, one of six counties comprising Northern Ireland. It has survived three decades of paramilitary conflict and is today a peaceful, vibrant, modern city with lots to see and do.

The Titanic was built here when Belfast was an important shipbuilding centre. The Titanic Belfast museum chronicles the great ship from its birth to its tragic end. 
The Odyssey Entertainment Complex is another spot popular with locals and visitors alike. It has a children’s science center, a laser-tag gaming area, 12 cinemas, and an 8,000 seat arena for various events.
Cultural attractions abound in Belfast with a variety of museums, theatres and galleries, and a grand Opera House. The outstanding Botanic Gardens and Park is a living canvas of seasonal color and is an important venue for concerts and festivals.
Festivals and events are big throughout Northern Ireland, not just in Belfast-- including fairs, sporting events, music festivals (classical, popular and traditional Irish) visual and performing arts, and guided walks.
The scenic Lakelands region hosts the Fermanagh Walking Festival in October. It may be a bit of a huff and puff up 2,182 foot Cuilcagh Mountain, but it offers spectacular views of the lakes and colorful autumn foliage.

Other autumn events include: The William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh in mid-November; the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing the first weekend in November at Lisburn’s Down Royal Racecourse; the Mount Stewart Gardens Festival of Lights in Newtownards, the first three weekends in November.
Along the border of the Republic of Ireland, you can also explore one of the largest geoparks and cave networks in Europe – the Marble Arch Caves. Take a guided underground boat trip and see a natural netherworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding pathways and vaulted chambers. The experience is unforgettable. Both the Caves and the Cuilcagh Mountain Park are jointly recognized as a UNESCO Glopbal Geopark.

Photo source: flickr, Yves Consentino
County Antrim is also home to the stunning North Coast, a place of awesome beauty where the scenic and rugged coastline blends into a landscape of pastoral glens and lush forest parks. This region is known for its spectacular waterfalls, brooding castles and mysterious ruins, but its most outstanding attraction is the world famous Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site.


Giant's Causeway is an extraordinary formation of some 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns rising out of the sea. They were created by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. It is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to rock formations, you will find beautiful unspoiled sandy beaches along the coast.

No visit to Northern Ireland would be complete without a tour of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey (Irish whiskey, of course) distillery – Old Busmills’. The distillery hosts some 120,000 visitors annually and has been distilling spirits in the County Antrim area since 1608.
The International Vacation Home Exchange offers three properties in Northern Island:
Ireland home exchange property 0905: The Lakeland District

A modern comfortable three-bedroom house on Lough Erne close to three villages – Pettigo (3 miles), Belleek (8 miles) and Kesh (8 miles). The villages offer opportunities for fishing, water sports, nature walks, pubs, restaurants, and shopping – especially for the famous parian fine china produced at Belleek Pottery.

In addition to a spacious living room, the house has a sun room, fully equipped kitchen, dining room, office, and en-suite bathrooms in each of the three bedrooms. You have stunning views of the lake (Lough Erne) from the garden and living room. The host of this lovely house will make a car available to guests for no extra credits.

Property #Home exchange 0892 – The North Coast

A cozy four-bedroom bungalow in the town of Portrush -- a short drive from the Giant’s Causeway and only an hour away from Belfast.

You can stroll to one of the many long sandy beaches in the area in just 15 minutes. Many restaurants and first-class golf courses are also nearby. The house has a large south-facing private garden – secure for children to enjoy -- with a secluded patio area and gas grill. It also features a living room with a friendly fireplace, a sun room, and well-equipped kitchen.

Home Swap 894 – Belfast 
This charming three bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood is offered as a direct swap to those over 50 only.
The house features a lovely garden, internet access, wifi, TV and DVD player. It is within a 10-minute drive to both the city centre and the countryside. Shops, restaurants and churches are in easy walking distance.
Visit www.ivhe.com to find out more about the International Vacation Home Exchange and the properties they offer around the world.
For additional information on these lovely homes in Northern Ireland, click the property #s above.

Blogsmith: Mike DiPrima
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