Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark is The Giant’s Causeway, but the country is also a giant in the world of golf and the great outdoors.
With more than 100 courses, golf is a major attraction for travellers and there’s also plenty of other outdoor activities such as walking, hiking and biking.
For Game of Thrones fans there’s the chance of shooting medieval arrows using ancient bows while experiencing archery at Winterfell Castle. If archery isn’t your thing then why not tour the GoT film locations on a bike?
Top sporting events in Northern Ireland in 2021
Antrim Coast Half Marathon
– When: Sunday 29 August
– Where: Larne, Northern Ireland
– Website: antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com
Lap The Lough
– When: Sunday 29 August
– Where: Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland and the UK
– Website: lapthelough.org
Mourne Mountain Marathon
– What: two-day endurance event
– When: 11-12 September 2021
– Where: Newcastle, County Down
– Website: mourne2day.com
2021 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon
– When: Sunday 19 September 2021
– Where: Belfast
– Start: Stormont Estate (Prince of Wales Avenue)
– Finish: Ormeau Park
Golf: Great North Links Challenge 2021
– When: 20-22 October 2021
– Where: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Ballyliffin Golf Club and Portstewart Golf Club
Ultimate Strongman World Championship III
– When: 29-31 October 2021
– Where: Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast Giants ice hockey
– Home arena: The SSE Arena, Belfast
Sports activities and things to do
Game of Thrones experiences at Winterfell Castle & Demesne
– What: archery set tour and cycling tour at Winterfell
– Where: Winterfell Castle Old Castle Ward, Demesne, Strangford, County Down
– More details: gameofthrones-winterfelltours.com
Golf in Northern Ireland
– What: play 100 golf courses across NI
– More details: nimadeforgolf.com
We Are Vertigo
– What: inflata-park, ski and adventure centre
– Where: Belfast County, Antrim
– Website: wearevertigo.com
City Paddle Boards Slow Adventure
– What: historic city tour by stand up paddle boards
– Where: Derry, County Derry
– Website: slowadventureni.com
Other activities to do in Northern Ireland
– Cycling
– Mountain biking
– Fishing
– Surfing
– Walking
– Trekking
– Water sports
– Zorbing
– Paragliding
– Motor sports
– Target sports
Images: Discover Northern Ireland