NI Connections

We know it's tough having to stay inside at the moment so we have pulled together a list of Northern Ireland-related entertainment options to help you and your family pass the time.

VISITING

Virtual Tours of Northern Ireland:
Until we can all safely travel again, you can take virtual tours of Northern Ireland attractions online, including the Giant’s Causeway, Carrickfergus Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
Take a Virtual Tour of Northern Ireland

Experience Belfast at Home:
Visit Belfast has put together a great list of ways to have a virtual experience Belfast, including live streams of pub music nights, recipes from some of the city’s best restaurants, and even a pub quiz you can do on your phone.
Find out how to Experience Belfast at Home

WATCHING

The Best TV Shows and Movies Filmed in Northern Ireland:
With incredible scenery and thriving production industry, Northern Ireland has played host to a number of TV shows and movies beyond just Game of Thrones and Derry Girls (though we recommend those, too). Scan this list to decide what to watch this weekend.
Watch TV Shows & Movies filmed in NI

Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive:
This online archive contains hundreds of hours of footage, with collections dating as far back as the late 1800s, covering NI’s shipyards, linen industry, sport and more.
View the Digital Film Archive

Cyprus Avenue with The MAC (18+):
In celebration of the recent World Theatre Day, Belfast art and theatre centre The MAC in partnership with London’s Royal Court Theatre are streaming David Ireland’s award-winning play starring Stephen Rea for free for the next month. The production mixes live capture onstage at the Royal Court with location shooting in Belfast.
Watch Cyprus Avenue with The MAC

LISTENING

The Ultimate Northern Ireland Playlist:
129 songs from Northern Irish bands and artists for your listening pleasure.
Listen to the Northern Ireland Playlist

Instagram Live with Gary Lightbody:
Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody is doing a mix of live performances and collaborative song-writing sessions on Instagram. Follow for dates and times.
Listen to a live performance by Gary Lightbody

SEEING

Ulster Museum Online: You can browse a huge collection of Ulster Museum’s artefacts online, including fine art, sculptures, drawings, animal specimens, science displays and historic photographs.
Browse the Ulster Museum's Collection

The Linen Hall Library:
The Linen Hall has opened it’s virtual iconic doors to bring you a selection of events and exhibitions form their arts and culture programme.
Visit The Linen Hall Library

READING

Top Northern Ireland Reads:
A good list of things to read by Northern Irish authors, including Nobel Prize-winning poets, C.S. Lewis and up-and-coming writers.
Get some reading ideas

Stay at Home Story Time with Oliver Jeffers:
Northern Irish children’s book author & illustrator Oliver Jeffers (a diaspora who lives in Brooklyn) is doing live Instagram readings of his stories every weekday at 2 pm EST.
Enjoy some live storytelling

COOKING

Food NI Recipes: Food NI has a list of recipes utilising Northern Irish food & drink products searchable by course (drinks, as well!)
Find some new recipes

Millside Kitchen Cooking & Cocktail Tutorials:
County Antrim restaurant Millside Kitchen has started a “Can’t Cook, but Now I Have To” series where they showcase how to make their dishes and cocktails on YouTube & Facebook.
Improve your cookery skills

LEARNING

Imagine Belfast Festival: Belfast’s festival of ideas and politics pivoted into a free online virtual event this year. Catch up on recordings of talks on politics, history, media, business, current affairs and of course whiskey, alongside film shorts from Northern Ireland artists.
Get inspired by the Imagine Belfast Festival

Belfast Zoo Comes to You: The Belfast Zoo is on Twitter showcasing animal care staff taking care of their animals, and providing facts about them and their habitats.
Find out more about the Zoo animals

Thanks to Discover Northern Ireland, Visit Belfast, and Northern Ireland Screen for compiling and promoting many of these resources.