Northern Ireland boasts many unique venues for memorable events and incentives in Belfast and beyond. We check out just five of the options available to planners…

Titanic Belfast

Located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched, Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

The impressive building houses several flexible spaces, including The Titanic Suite, which features a replica of the liner’s Grand Staircase – the perfect backdrop for photographs and speeches – and caters for up to 800 guests. The adjoining North Viewing Gallery, Olympic and Britannic Suites can be used to extend the space or can be hired separately for smaller events.

On the top floor of Titanic Belfast, The Bridge is an intimate function space offering panoramic views over the historic slipways, Victoria Channel and Belfast Hills through incredible, triple height windows. It can accommodate 100 guests in theatre-style, 80 cabaret style and up to 200 for a reception.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

As the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens (part of Historic Royal Palaces) is just a short drive from Belfast and boasts a variety of atmospheric spaces to suit all manner of events, from intimate corporate dinners to lavish receptions.

The Throne Room can accommodate up to 80 for dinner and 120 for receptions and is every bit as impressive as its name suggests. The space is the ceremonial heart of the castle and is used for investitures, citizenship ceremonies and an annual concert hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Red Room, which features crimson silk damask walls and hundreds of priceless oil paintings from the Royal Collection, is perfect for intimate meetings and dinners, catering for 20 seated or 30 for a reception.

The State Dining Room has been the setting for countless state dinners over the years, and its esteemed guests have included prime ministers, presidents and heads of state. It can cater for 40 guests for dinner and 60 for receptions. Larger groups can also hire the whole castle for events, or set up marquees, gazebos and other temporary structures in the castle’s 100 acres of stunning gardens.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Located at the authentic filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, Game of Thrones Studio Tour invites visitors to step behind the scenes of The Seven Kingdoms and beyond.

Prepare to experience the world of Game of Thrones like never before and explore how one of the world’s greatest ever TV series was created and brought to life on screen. Walk through iconic sets from Winterfell to King’s Landing, discover the secrets of filmmaking and explore the craftsmanship and artistry responsible for bringing the global hit TV series to life on screen.

Located just 30 minutes from Belfast, this global visitor attraction is a great activity for meeting and incentive groups to experience, with options available for corporate groups to organise private dinners and receptions in this unique backdrop.

Killeavy Castle Estate

Located just one hour from both Belfast and Dublin, Killeavy Castle Estate offers a calm space to make strategic decisions, celebrate success or build cohesion among teams. Set within 350 acres of farm and woodland, the estate features a fully restored 19th century Castle, a 45-room boutique style Hotel and a quaint Gatelodge, as well as an extensive Spa with thermal facilities, Restaurant, Bar and Café.

Killeavy’s ethos is centred around sustainability with its own Farm and Walled Garden where majority of its produce is grown, making it ideal for clients that are trying to reduce their environmental footprint.

From small meetings to major conferences and private celebrations, the meeting venues and events spaces are ideal for functions of all kinds. The Castle Pavilion can accommodate up to 300 guests, with a variety of configurations available, while The Garden Lounge can cater for 60 attendees and offers views over the Walled Garden.

Lough Erne Resort

Nestled on a 600-acre peninsula between Lower Lough Erne and Castle Hume Lough, Lough Erne Resort (right and main image) is a unique and inspiring backdrop for events of all types, whether a large-scale conference, product launch, training seminar, top level board meeting, annual team building event, private corporate entertaining, corporate golf event or exclusive use private event.

Host to the G8 Summit in 2013, Lough Erne is located minutes from Enniskillen and easily accessible from both Belfast and Dublin Airports. The Resort offers six dedicated conference and event rooms, with views over Castle Hume Lough and The Faldo Course, including the elegant Ross Suite accommodating up to 280 guests, features its own private entrance, luxurious reception area and outdoor terrace

There is plenty to keep delegates entertained outside the meeting room, from world class golf and the authentic Thai Spa to a host of unique team building experiences within the resort and on the surrounding lakes. Groups can also take part in themed gourmet dining evenings or cookery demonstrations by acclaimed chef, Noel McMeel, or an authentic Irish Whiskey Tasting experience in association with Bushmills.