A dynamic country with bustling cityscapes and idyllic countryside all steeped in rich history, Ireland enhances its position as a leading MICE destination.

Direct flights arrive at Belfast, Dublin and Shannon from multiple U.S. cities, with even more options via connections. For the return trip to the United States, passengers flying from Dublin and Shannon pre-clear U.S. Customs and Immigration prior to boarding flights.

Meeting-goers find true value in Ireland, which lowered the value added tax from 13.5 percent to 9 percent. WiFi is complimentary at most venues. The country is easily navigable, making connections from city to countryside possible during a single trip.

Northern Ireland offers the excitement of an urban landscape in its renaissance city Belfast and the magic of the outlying countryside. Belfast Waterfront accommodates meetings and events of all sizes. The four floors of event space feature highly customizable setting options. For added convenience, Hilton Belfast is located steps away from the convention center.

In September 2014, Belfast Waterfront was given the go-ahead for a $44.7 million expansion. Set for a mid-2016 completion, the large-scale expansion will include more than 16,000 square feet of flat floor space; a 2,000-seat auditorium; a 380-seat studio; 17 meeting rooms for 10 to 200 delegates; and exterior terraces with waterfront views.

“We are continually raising the bar in conferencing facilities,” said Jennifer Patterson, revenue and business generation manager, Belfast Waterfront, “and this is set to continue with our planned expansion offering more choice, greater flexibility and even bigger space for event organizers to host larger and more elaborate events.”

Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast offers unique space for meetings and events. Dating back to 1845, it functioned as a prison until 1996. The Lanyon Suite, in the former Prison Chapel, now seats between 60 and 310 delegates. The wheelchair-accessible suite features free WiFi and a fully integrated audiovisual system. The former prison kitchen houses the Scullery, a multifunctional room. Seating 20 to 160 guests, the atmospheric setting is perfect for seminars, press launches and exhibitions. Catering provides anything from a traditional Ulster breakfast to three-course dinners. Add some character to your event with an authentic living history performer regaling the group with tales of the haunted jail.

Housed in a former bank, the chic 5-star Merchant Hotel features Victorian- and Art Deco-style rooms. Six dedicated event spaces accommodate two to 200 guests. The intimate Veuve Clicquot Champagne Lounge hosts drink receptions and parties of up to 40.

Located in the exact spot where RMS Titanic was constructed, Titanic Belfast is an architectural feat. The six-floor visitor attraction boasts a design inspired by freezing ice crystals, the jagged form of icebergs and the materials used to construct the ship. The event spaces accommodate 40 to 800 delegates. Exclusive hire of Titanic Belfast can accommodate 2,000. Two levels of on-site underground parking provide 520 parking spaces.

Belfast’s location in the north enables delegates to extend their stay and take in the countryside attractions. Giant’s Causeway, a formation of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created by a volcanic eruption, is a one-hour drive from Belfast. Game of Thrones fans will recognize Castle Ward, better known as Winterfell on the hit TV series. This filming location lies about 40 minutes outside Belfast in Strangford. Clearsky Adventure Centre stages group activities based on Game of Thrones. Ideal for team building, guests participate in film-set archery lessons, boat or cycling tours of set locations, and medieval-inspired lunches.

As you travel down to Dublin and the southern counties of Ireland, you’ll come across many quintessentially Irish spots. Located directly across from Trinity College, The Westin Dublin’s central location makes it ideal for meetings and events. The 5-star property received Platinum Award certification under the Green Hospitality Awards for its environmental practices. The venue sets pads, pens and mints at stations rather than at individual settings to reduce waste. Other sustainable meeting components include biodegradable markers for charts, meeting space recycling bins and condiments served in bulk for catered meetings. Book an event for up to 10 participants online and receive a 10 percent discount.

With dozens of rooms and spaces, the Convention Centre Dublin accommodates all event requirements, even if it means creating a custom solution. The largest space, The Forum, seats 3,040 in its theater. Since opening its doors in 2010, the CCD has been honored with 26 awards, including one of the Top 4 Convention Centres in the World at the AIPC Apex Awards 2012.

Guinness Storehouse © Catalina Zaharescu Tiensuu | Dreamstime.com

A stay in Dublin isn’t complete without a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. Book one of eight different spaces with capacity for 15 to 2,000 guests, including the stunning Gravity Bar with its 360-degree view of Dublin. Learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness at the Guinness Academy. The space, with capacity for 90, is the ultimate drinks and entertainment location. If whiskey is more your style, visit the Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin. Perfect for a cocktail reception or networking event, the space accommodates 25 to 300 guests. The distillery offers guided tours, whiskey tasting, four-course dinners, Irish music and entertainment.

Adare Manor and gardens © Patryk Kosmider | Dreamstime.com

What would a visit to Ireland be without a castle or two? Several enchanting estates offer unique venues for MICE events. Adare Manor in County Limerick works with meeting planners to customize meetings and events down to the tiniest detail. The property is home to the 18-hole Adare Golf Club, host of the Irish Open in 2007 and 2008. Ashford Castle’s world-class staff lead fishing and falconry lessons for groups in County Mayo. Book Ballywalter Park, Lord and Lady Dunleath’s country mansion residence in County Down, for unforgettable receptions both elegant and intimate. In County Clare, arrange for Dromoland Castle Hotel’s fox hounds to welcome your group to the castle upon arrival, or schedule a team-building day at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, a small traditional Irish village complete with shopping, dining and a chapel. Don’t miss the opportunity to take your incentive group to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited natural attraction.

With so much to experience, Ireland keeps meeting planners and groups coming back for more.