Northern Ireland consists of six beautiful counties which are tucked away in the north east only waiting to be discovered. After such a long and turbulent history, Northern Ireland is now a place that’s bursting at the seams with energy, vitality and good spirits - so there’s never been a better time to visit!

From a land that was once the cornerstone of resistance during the Plantations, to the “Troubles” in the more recent decades - it’s no secret that Northern Ireland has had a turbulent past. But modern day Northern Ireland, is now considered one of the up and coming destinations to visit. It has even been tipped by Lonely Planet as a “must-see country to visit in 2007″ with Belfast city mentioned as being one of the top ten “cities on the rise” in its Blue List -The Best in Travel 2007 edition.

There’s no easier way to see Northern Ireland than by car. The roads couldn’t be better with miles of motorways and dual carriageways. If you’re going into the depth of rural Northern Ireland, you’ll be glad to hear that these minor roads are well signposted also and there are loads of convenient places for picnics and sites for camping along the way.

Due to its size you can see most of the North’s main attractions in a week without clocking up too many miles. You can fly into Belfast city and pick up your car at the airport. Why not find accommodation here and see what it has to offer. This pulsating city has a lively buzz and a welcoming atmosphere making you feel right at home.

Attractions here include City Hall, Belfast Castle, Belfast Zoo, Queens University, the Ulster Museum, the Grand Opera House and the Botanic Gardens. Also take the time to visit the Harland & Wolff Shipyard which boasts the largest dry dock in the world (this was where the Titanic was built!). Of course you might also be tempted to check out Belfast’s superb shopping streets and its very lively nightlife scene!

With Belfast city as a base you can plan your route around the rest of County Antrim and explore Ireland’s first World Heritage Site - The Giant’s Causeway. You could also opt to drive over the beautiful Sperrin Mountains to the old walled city of Derry (Londonderry) in County Derry or take a drive to neighbouring County Down to the south which is recognised as An Area Of Oustanding Beauty. Here you can explore little fishing villages, seaside resorts, picturesque towns hidden in the countryside and, of course, the world famous Mountains of Mourne.

If you love the outdoors especially fishing and watersports then you’d do well by taking a trip to County Fermanagh which is known as Ireland’s Lake District. Another destination in Northern Ireland is County Armagh also known as ‘The Orchard County’. Armagh city is worth exploring as it’s said that this city is one of the oldest on the island of Ireland. A visit to the beautiful County Tyrone can take in its numerous attractions like Dungannon Park, Tyrone Crystal Visitors Centre, the Grant Ancestral Homestead, the Ulster American Folk Park and St. Patrick’s Chair and Well, to name just a few. Your rental car will bring you wherever you want!

Car hire is essential if you want to get a real feel for Northern Ireland. When you rent a car, you can motor at your own pace and adapt your travels to suit yourself, so you can stop when and where you like!

Driving in Northern Ireland is the same as driving in Ireland with the exception that distance in Northern Ireland is still calculated in miles, so therefore signposts will be in miles as opposed to kilometres in the south. To help you along the way check out our guide to Road Signs and our Distance Chart.

So go ahead and book your car rental now! All car hire on Goireland.com is provided by our sister website Novacarhire.com. We’ve got pick up points in Belfast city centre, Belfast City Airport, Belfast Ferryport, Belfast International Airport and Derry City Airport. Get a quote now!

Hope this guide gives you the information you need on Car hire in Northern Ireland. If you’ve any queries about Northern Ireland or GoIreland car hire just drop us a line in the comment box below and we’ll get back to you right away!