The best museums Northern Ireland

This original work, created in 1999 by local artist John Kindness to mark the regeneration of the Lagan River (previously too polluted for fish to swim in), features a 10-meter-long salmon made of more or less blue ceramic and engraved with text telling the story of Belfast. Standing on the edge of the Lagan River, not far from the Albert Memorial Clock and the Customs House, the "big fish" fits perfectly into the skyline of new Belfast. A must-see if you're ever in the area.

In the heart of the botanical garden, the Ulster Museum is a superb museum not to be missed. Although walking through the museum is a bit like trying to find your way through a maze, it is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Northern Ireland's past, in all its extraordinary diversity and richness. Glass and steel walkways allow visitors to move around the central atrium and to view some of the exhibits, as well as the museum from different angles and dimensions depending on the location and the floor they are on. Collections include archaeological pieces from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages, Irish paintings from the 17th to the 20th century, a natural history gallery with many stuffed animals, objects from the world's cultures... The fossil of the dinosaur Edmontosaurus is undoubtedly a masterpiece, the mummy of Princess Takabuti of Thebes (the first mummy to be exhibited to the public outside of Egypt in 1835), 2,500 years old, is also a must-see and fits into the theme of life and death in ancient Egypt. The section on the Troubles will fascinate anyone who wants to know more about this terrible period. It will also prevent you from making the slightest mistake in discussing the subject during your stay. The "stop and think" panels are very well laid out and allow questions to be raised and debates to be launched. This part is organised in chronological order and offers a new vision of the conflict, different from the one relayed by the media.

The Ulster Museum is a lively and interactive museum, full of re-enactments and videos, and with many dynamic scenographies. Everyone can find an interest, a subject that fascinates them, whether it be history, art or science, and one can easily spend several hours there. One can easily spend several hours there. One can move from one era, field and century to another, like a journey through time. Everything about Northern Ireland is brought together in one place and the bridges between the subjects are particularly pleasing. After discovering the history of the country in the first floors, we discover Northern Ireland and its significant events in painting through the paintings of great masters of the country. This is a great museum to do with children, as each part of the museum has a specially designed room where they can handle objects, experiment and have fun.

The comprehensive museum presents the history of the city of Derry, from prehistory to the present day, as well as a section dedicated to The Derry Girls series. Upstairs is a second exhibition on the Invincible Armada, an ancient galleon wreck found not far from the Northern Irish city. The episode dates back to 1588, when Philip II of Spain decided to invade England to restore Catholicism. But as the Spanish fleet approached the coast, the ships capsized. Pieces recovered from the galleon are on display.

Opened in 2007 by the Bloody Sunday Trust organization, and expanded in 2017, this museum is located in Free Derry, a self-proclaimed nationalist enclave between 1969 and 1972, in the historically charged Bogside neighborhood. It is a must-see for anyone wishing to understand and delve into the city's recent history and, by extension, the complicated history of Northern Ireland. It traces the historical and political context in which the neighborhood was born and puts Derry's past and the recent drama of Bloody Sunday in 1972 into perspective.

The event that set off the fire was the commemoration, in 1969, of the Apprentice Boys episode, which itself dates back to the 17th century and relates to the siege of the city by the Protestants, to fight against the arrival of a Catholic military garrison. In an already tense political climate, the passage of the procession near Bogside was considered a provocation by its inhabitants. Hostilities began, in an atmosphere of guerrilla warfare and barricades. The next day, soldiers of the British army were sent to guard the place, which only made the situation worse. This escalation culminated a few years later in the tragedy known as Bloody Sunday. A particularly striking piece in the museum is the film William McKinney made from the roof of a building that day. Surprised with his camera, he was killed on the spot. A museum, like a place of memory, obviously touching, hard too, but essential to the understanding of the neighborhood, the city and the country. The Museum of Free Derry was really necessary to restore the order of things and the truth. The deep and moving purpose of this museum is also to free the word and educate the public so that such events do not happen again and the truth is never suppressed in this way. The panels at the end of the exhibition on the role of the press in the treatment of Bloody Sunday are chilling and thought-provoking. We must go beyond appearances, keep our critical mind and defend above all justice and freedom. This is the vital message of the museum. To visit it at best, you can download an application to get explanations in French. It is a very interactive museum with archival videos, audio testimonies of survivors. Don't hesitate to ask questions to the museum staff, most of whom have lived through these events and will be happy to explain them to you in the most accurate way possible.

The Armagh Panetarium dome is a true three-dimensional digital theater. The planetarium's projection system perfectly recreates the beauty of the night sky and will delight the whole family. The show offers views of the planets, stars and constellations with panoramic scenes projected at 360°. Near the observatory, you can also enjoy exhibitions and audiovisual presentations related to astronomy. A visit that will delight astronomy enthusiasts.

In Killadeas is Bishop's Stone, a stone carved between the th and th centuries, representing the transition between pagan and Christian culture, with one side and the other a bishop.

Built in the 15th century, this Anglo-Norman style castle was a stronghold of the Gaelic Maguire chiefs, then a Plantation era stronghold and finally a barracks for an infantry regiment. Now transformed into two museums, the castle houses exhibits on the history, wildlife and landscape of County Fermanagh, and an exhibit on Enniskillen's military past. Cross the Castle Bridge to the other side and enjoy the view.

Museum where you can see a beautiful collection of printing presses dating from the th century and a film depicting the history of printing.

Located right next to the cathedral, this tiny museum commemorates the role of the cities of Belfast and Derry in the First and Second World Wars. There are archival images to view on screens, following an interactive index that categorizes them by theme. An important section is also dedicated to the American army, which came to help the Irish. Don't hesitate to talk to the museum staff who will be happy to explain it to you. Events are also regularly organized here.

Opened in 2007, on the first anniversary of the death of Republican Eileen Hickey who had begun a collection of artifacts relating to the history of Irish Republicans. Volunteer workers were able to pursue her dream of preserving for future generations the memory of those who fought for freedom.

A former prisoner in the notorious Armagh Women's Prison (a cell is reconstructed at the entrance to the museum, with the original door of this prison opened in 1868 and closed in 1999!), Eileen died of cancer. Today, the museum displays a moving collection of artifacts that belonged to those who fought the revolution against British rule. Key books on politics and civil disobedience, memorabilia from the 1798 and 1803 rebellions, medals from 1916-1923, photographs and newspaper articles, and especially crafts made in prison by Irish Republican prisoners and items brought by their families. Indeed, the status of political prisoner, until 1979, gave some advantages such as the right to visit, to read and to create. The period saw the blossoming of a positive spirit of protest that incarceration did not alter. Prisoners wrote poems, read political screeds, sculpted wooden objects, in a few words, were in resistance... Later, London abolished this status, thinking to finally muzzle them by taking away these rights. Note that the museum lives on donations.