Queen's University, Belfast

No trip to Belfast would be complete without a visit to Queen's. The building was designed by Charles Lanyon and completed in 1849, about the same time as University College Cork and University College Galway. All three buildings share architectural similarities. The front wing of Queen's was based on the late medieval design of Magdalen College, Oxford, and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic revivalism. Call the Queen's Visitor Centre to learn more about the institution and its history. You can buy an assortment of Queen's memorabilia here. As with many universities, the surrounding area is vibrant, with an emphasis as much on having a good time as serious, diligent, rigorous academic study.