Thursday, November 14Sports. Travel. Events

Sport in Northern Ireland: events, activities and things to do

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

Royal Portrush golf The Open Northern Ireland sport

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 

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