Where are Northern Ireland’s three on-street controlled parking zones?

The three on-street controlled parking zones named by nidirect are Belfast, Lisburn and Newry.

That is different from council-operated off-street car parks, which exist in many other towns as well. The practical implication is that a town-centre on-street payment in Newry is governed by a different arrangement from a council car park in, for example, Banbridge. Always check the street signs or the car park entrance before choosing the payment provider or assuming a free period applies.