Monuments to visit Northern Ireland

This sandstone and granite building typical of Victorian public buildings opened as Ireland's first library in 1888. It has three floors with a grand staircase, a reading room on the ground floor and an exhibition gallery on the top floor. The library has an extensive archival collection of Northern Irish music and Ulster and Irish studies. Local and Irish newspapers dating back to the 17th century are also available for consultation. A quiet place to soak up the past.

The Norman fortress was erected in 1177 by John of Courcy and is, after Carrickfergus, an outstanding example of the Norman invasion of Northern Ireland. It was an essential part of the coastal defense. Located on a wooded hill to the northwest of the village, the fortress truly dominates the bay. The circular keep, the guardhouse and the twin towers were added successively throughout history. The castle was finally destroyed by Cromwell in 1652. Its ruins are now the subject of a pleasant walk.

The vast estate of Florence Court is located in the middle of spectacular hills, west of Upper Lough Erne. In the heart of a wooded park, the eighteenth-century palladian manor house, which is home to the Counts of Enniskillen, is decorated with rich rococo plaster moldings and furnished with a splendid collection of Irish furniture. Also visit a carpenter's workshop, a hydro-electric sawmill, a blacksmith's workshop and the nearby ring forest (the if Florence Court is a unique species!).

This Victorian red brick covered market is the largest in Ireland. The original 1890 building was enlarged after it was bombed during World War II by the Germans. The entrance consists of three large Romanesque arches with inscriptions in Irish and Latin. Renovated in the 1990s, the market reopened in 1999. Since then it has been rated as one of the best markets in the UK. It brings together local producers and artisans from all communities. Concerts are also organized or evenings such as New Year's Eve. On Fridays, the market is made up of stalls selling second-hand books, antiques, second-hand clothes, fruit and vegetables and also a large selection of fish and seafood, all of which are fresh. On Saturdays, there is a nice selection of local cheeses, meats, fish and vegetables, often organically farmed. The Sunday market is a mix of the Friday and Saturday stalls. Delicious dishes cooked in front of you are also offered. It's a great place to have lunch on the go while listening to a local band. It is truly one of the most typical and warm experiences in Belfast. For the addresses, don't miss the Belfast BapCo, made of bread, bacon and sausages... In short, only fat, but it is very good and prepared in front of you! To ease your conscience afterwards, sip a fruity smoothie from Dabo Smoothies.