When King Writes

I flew to Ireland for its breathtaking nature, but I have no regrets that I also spent time exploring some of its man-made attractions. The Ulster American Folk Park, for one, gave me a lot to think about after exploring its 90-acre grounds.

Aside from knowing that it’s some kind of living history museum, I arrived at the park with zero expectations. What I didn’t expect was that it would take me back in time — not in the way typical museums with displays and exhibits do, but in a way that felt like stepping through a portal and being sent into another century.

Three Areas

At the museum-slash-park, I walked through three areas — Ulster, The Journey and America — each designed in painstaking detail, complete with actors and actresses in costume and animals roaming around.

At my own pace, I was free to enter any home, barn, or ship I wanted. Every space held something that made me feel as if I were living in that time period. The wooden baby cribs, the horse-drawn carriages, the farming tools — everything seemed frozen in time.

And if you approach one of the actors dressed in a period costume, they’re more than willing to tell you a story or two.

Some share what a typical day in their village is like; others recount why their family is preparing to emigrate or how they’re adjusting to life across the Atlantic. Their accents, gestures and unscripted conversations add another layer of authenticity that made the experience feel less like a staged attraction and more like a genuine encounter with the past.

The attractions are spaced apart, so there is a bit of walking from point to point. But I didn’t mind because the walking added even more to the overall quality of the living museum.

The outdoors — lined with trees, cobblestones in some parts, and wooden gates — is part of the experience. I appreciated the walk even more because there was no crowd. I think it’s because we visited during off season, which in this case worked to our advantage.

Games

Some games for adults and children are also available, like the ring-toss game beside the ship where you try to throw small rope rings onto numbered wooden pegs.

Simple toys for children, like the wooden hobby horses, are propped up outside the cabins. Kids are free to pick them up and gallop around the grounds, just as children would have played in centuries past. My fiancé enjoyed it, as you can see from the photo.

So aside from Ulster American Folk Park being intended to educate people in a very unique and entertaining way — in ways that really embed those history lessons in your mind for a long time because you lived them somewhat — I think it’s also a great place to enjoy with young kids. There’s so much space to walk with them, explore nature, and let them see things they wouldn’t otherwise encounter in a normal setting.

Hours

The park is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which gives you six hours to explore it in one day. I think this is more than enough time to visit all three areas — Ulster, The Journey and America. It took us around two-plus hours, granted we didn’t go inside every open home and attraction.

Food and Picnic

You can, of course, take your time and take breaks in between exploring. I saw a few people at the picnic spots inside the park. Outside food and drinks are allowed, but since we didn’t bring any, we bought sandwiches and wraps at the Marker Cafe near the main entrance.

The Marker Cafe is the only place to buy food and drinks at the park. If you’re planning to pack a picnic for later in the day, I recommend purchasing your food before heading out; otherwise you’ll need to walk all the way back, by which point you might already be halfway across the park.

Souvenir Shop

Beside the café is the gift shop, where I found some interesting wooden toys that I imagined were similar to what children played with back then. I picked up a small wooden mouse with wheels underneath, and when you pull it back, it scurries off in random circles — just like a real mouse would if it were being chased. In short, a lovely little souvenir I brought home for my cat! 🐱

As we left the park, I realized how rare it is to find a place that teaches you something without feeling like it’s trying to. I walked, listened, touched, and saw history with my own eyes. And I left with super cool souvenirs reminiscent of life decades before I was born. 

Ulster American Folk Park turned out to be one of the most memorable stops on our trip. It’s educational without being overwhelming, immersive without feeling performative and spacious enough to enjoy at your own pace. If you ever find yourself in Northern Ireland — especially with kids in tow — it’s absolutely worth setting aside half a day. 🙂