10 stunning images of Northern Ireland to celebrate the arrival of equal marriage

Robyn Peoples kisses wife Sharni Edwards (Photo: Justin Kernoghan/Amnesty International)
Robyn Peoples kisses wife Sharni Edwards (Photo: Justin Kernoghan/Amnesty International)

Northern Ireland was the last major territory of the United Kingdom to legislate for equal marriage, and it held its first same-sex wedding yesterday.

Following England, Wales and Scotland in 2014, legislation was introduced in Northern Ireland last fall, but it took some time for official documentation to be updated. With that done, same-sex couples were able to start tying the knot as of yesterday.

The first pair to do so were Robyn Peoples, 26, from Belfast, and Sharni Edwards, 27, from Brighton. They got married yesterday at a hotel in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. The women met six years ago at a gay bar in Belfast.

Related: Scenic island becomes last place in Britain to legalize same-sex marriage

“Our love is personal but the law which said we couldn’t marry was political,” Peoples told the BBC.

“We are delighted that with our wedding, we can now say that those days are over.

“While this campaign ends with Sharni and I saying ‘I do’, it started with people saying ‘No’ to inequality.

“By standing together, we’ve made history.”

Related: The first same-sex couple just got married in Northern Ireland… on their 6th anniversary

Northern Ireland has come a long way since ‘the troubles’ that besieged it in the 1970s and 80s. The Good Friday Agreement that led to a power-sharing Parliament in Stormont largely brought an end to violent campaigns of terror between rival political factions.

There’s been an increase in tourism in recent years, with many wishing to explore some of the country’s rugged scenery. The country’s use as a filming location for some of the Games of Thrones TV show has also drawn visitors. If you’re looking for gay bars and clubs, capital city Belfast is the place to head. It has its annual Pride parade on Saturday, August 1, 2020.

Below are a few of the scenic highlights to be discovered.

The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim

The Giant’s Causeway (copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

This distinctive coastline and UNESCO world heritage site features around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption.

Larrybane, Ballycastle, County Antrim

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

This location, and the one below, were both used for Game of Thrones filming.

Downhill Beach in County Londonderry

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Royal Country Down Golf Course, County Down

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

The Gortin Glens Forest Park in Omagh

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Glenariff Waterfall within Glenariff Forest Park, in County Antrim

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Ballintoym, Country Antrim

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Belfast City Hall

(Copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board)

Titanic Belfast

Titanic Belfast
(Courtesy of Tourism Ireland)

This museum is the most popular in the country. The Titanic was built in Belfast, before it traveled to Southampton, England, ahead of its ill-fated maiden voyage across the Atlantic (Courtesy of Tourism Ireland)

Don't forget to share:

Your support makes our travel guides possible

We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated