March 2026


Bloody Sunday. The Siege Museum and Museum of Free Derry tell both stories in in-depth detail. The 19th century Guildhall which graces the eponymous Square also recounts the history of the city and its environs and is well worth a visit. We popped into both the Guildhall and Tower Museum whose Derry Girls


Experience will


remain on site from March 2026 and continue to draw a younger demographic.


www.nitravelnews.com


There were plenty of photo ops to pose alongside grandad or the girls in their house festooned with original


props and


costumes from the series itself. The visit was like a homecoming for Ray who, like many locals, was an extra in several scenes. Blink and you’ll miss him but Ray’s at the


front of the ‘Rock the Boat’ wedding dance.


Fame at last! After a cuppa


and


traybake at the Guildhall café, we called a wrap on our whirlwind 24-hour tour of Derry~Londonderry.


I’ve been many times, and each visit is as enjoyable as the last. The Cityside’s steep streets are great for a cardio workout, while a more sedate riverside walk reflects the new attraction to come. And when the DNA Museum opens next year, I’ll be taking full advantage of The Ebrington Hotel’s proximity and booking another overnight. But I won’t wait that long for my next trip, and neither should you.


To book The Ebrington Hotel visit theebringtonhotel.com For tickets to the Tower Museum’s Derry Girls Experience visit visitderrypass. com/product/tower-museum Find out more about The Guildhall at guildhallderry.com Discover What’s On at the Millennium Forum at millenniumforum.co.uk Read about plans for the DNA Museum at dnamuseum.com


Belfast International Recognised Among Europe’s Best Airports for Departures


Belfast International Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, has been recognised with a global Airport Service Quality Award from Airports Council International. The airport was named Best Airport at Departures in


Europe within the 5 to 15 million passenger category, highlighting strong passenger satisfaction scores and continued improvements to the travel experience. The award also highlights the ongoing commitment


from Belfast International Airport has delivered through their operational enhancements, ongoing investment in facilities and improving the customer journey. Dan Owens, Belfast International Airport CEO, said;


“This award reflects both the scale of our investment programme; which puts the passenger at the core of our operation; as well as the dedication of our airport staff whose expertise and operational excellence ensure we deliver high standards across the airport experience, supported by the wider 4000 employees across the site.”


Belfast Hotel Celebrates Jean- Christope Novelli’s Feature in New ITV Series


AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast celebrates connection with well- known chef Jean-Christophe Novelli as he appears in ITV’s brand new reality series, The Heat. The series will be hosted by Olivia Attwood seeing ten


chefs travel to Barcelona to work for Jean-Christophe No- velli, as he opens an exclusive restaurant and mentors the next generation of culinary talent. Jean-Christophe Novelli, whose signature restaurant No-


velli at City Quays is based at AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this exciting new show and help support and develop the next generation of culinary talent. Known for my drive and intensity in the kitchen, I’ll be using my passion and unique teaching style to push these young chefs to dig deep, stay sharp and prove they have what it takes to grow, evolve and make their mark.


Four-Star Success: County Antrim Shepherd’s Huts Recognised in Tourism NI Grading


PEATLANDS, located near Ballymoney, have been awarded four stars by Tourism Northern Ireland’s Quality Grading Scheme. Situated across three acres of gardens


and woodland, Peatlands were recognised for


their strong connection to nature,


sustainability and artisan craft. Steven Kane, Senior Quality &


Standards Advisor at Tourism NI, said: “A small, family-run business, Peatlands offers guests a peaceful escape ideally positioned just a short drive from some of the North Coast’s most iconic landmarks. Set within a peaceful natural landscape, visitors can explore Garry Bog, an important and rare biodiverse peatland habitat of significant environmental and cultural importance.” Pete and Emma Hathaway, owners


of Peatlands, said: “We are delighted to have


from Tourism NI. As a relatively new accommodation


received a four-star business,


the quality


grading scheme is invaluable in helping guests book with confidence, while also recognising the high standards we work


grading


hard to maintain.” The Tourism NI Quality Grading


Scheme is a mark of distinction and gives visitors a clear idea of the standards of accommodation, service and cleanliness that they can expect during their stay.


13 Projects Approved Under Shared Island Coast to Coast Capital Scheme


TAOISEACH ministers Archibald and Burke, announce successful projects to receive capital


investment funding under the


Shared Island Coast-to-Coast Investment Scheme. The investment scheme is part of the Shared Island


Tourism Brand Collaboration Project by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. Around €2.7million was allocated under the Scheme to


support the development and enhancement of current visitor attractions and experiences across counties Donegal, Sligo and parts of Leitrim on the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as counties Derry and Antrim along the Causeway Coastal Route. Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “I am very pleased


to announce funding to 13 projects to enhance visitor experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route as part of the Shared Island Tourism Brand collaboration project being delivered by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.” Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy in the


Northern Ireland Executive, said: “Tourism is an important economic sector for the north and one that I am committed to supporting. The opportunities that come from collaboration north and south, in developing offering is central to this.”


our all-island tourism


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 53


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