Belfast
Travel Guide > Europe > United Kingdom > Northern Ireland > Belfast
Introduction
Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and indeed the second largest in Ireland following Dublin. Belfast is surrounded by picturesque hills (including that of Cavehill, which supposedly inspired Jonathan Swift, the author of Gullivers Travels) and situated on Belfast Lough, at the mouth of the River Lagan. Because of its location, Belfast became one of the United Kingdom's major ship building regions. Once the largest ship yard in the world, Harland & Wolff (still operational) has a home in Belfast. It is best known for being the ship yard where the Titanic was constructed in 1912.
Brief History
Undoubtedly over the years Belfast saw the worst of the Northern Irish "Troubles", but following break-through political agreements, including the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the atmosphere in the city and indeed the province changed. Following these political changes, economical ones followed: major investment and redevelopment has been rife in the city with landmark complexes springing up, including The Waterfront Hall, The Odyssey Complex and other ongoing developments, including The Titanic Quarter and Victoria Square (due for completion April 2008).
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Belfast City Hall is one of the most magnificent buildings in the City and was built in 1906. Tours of the building are free and are an excellent way to learn some of the City's history.
Parliament Buildings, Stormont, are located on the edge of the city boundaries. Tours may be arranged by contacting a member of the Assembly but it is free to go inside the building and to sit in on debates.
Other places to visit include the Oddesey centre and the Ulster Museum.
Events and Festivals
Tennent's Vital
This music "festival" has become an annual event in the Belfast events calendar - held over 2 days in August in the Botanic Gardens area of the city (close to Queens University) over the past few years acts such as Scissor Sisters, Kaiser Chiefs, Maroon 5, and Snow Patrol - to name a few have head lined the stage.
This year on Tuesday 21st August & Wednesday 22nd August you will see the stage being set up again in Botanic Gardens and it will be home to acts announced so far Razorlight and Manic Street Preachers.
Obviously Vital doesn't even come close to Oxygen held outside Dublin during July but it does bring some bigger named bands to Northern Ireland to play in an out door arena.
Be prepared for rain though having been at to vital to see both Scissor Sisters in 2005 and Snow Patrol in 2006 l can state from personal experience that l got soaked! Therefore waterproof jackets and suitable footwear are totally recommended.
Tickets can be bought at http://www.wonderlandpromotions.co.uk for £38 for a one day ticket and £70 for both nights of the festival.
Weather
Getting there
Belfast is serviced by 2 airports: Belfast International Airport, which is situated in Antrim outside the city; and the George Best City Airport found in the city. There are also ferry ports where passenger ferries sail on a daily basis between both Stranraer, Scotland and Liverpool, England.
By Plane
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
Northern Ireland has a good road network and is served by two main motorways, the M1 and the M2. Belfast can be congested during rush hour but there are never any major problems
By Public Transport
Belfast's public transport system has improved dramatically in recent years. Metro Bus, which operates throughout greater Belfast is an excellent way to get around. Prices range from £1.35 to £1.80 depending on which zones you wish to travel in.
There are two main train stations, Great Victoria St. and Central as well as a number of smaller stations which connect to the main rail network across the country. The Enterprise service to Dublin leaves from Central Station.
By Foot
Belfast is very easy to see by foot due to its size and the fact that it is very flat.
By Bike
Bikes are also good to use due to the size and lie of the land but there may be trouble finding somewhere to chain them up.
Eat
- Greens Pizza (549 Lisburn Rd, Ph: 028 9066 6033) - Situated on the Lisburn Road in Belfast and facing the Chelsea Wine Bar. This a great quality "Bring your own Booze" pizza parlour. Don't expect a big restaurant because it's not and don't bother trying to book because you can't. What Greens lacks in size though it sure makes up for in the fine quality of its food. Staff are enthusiastic and ever helpful. Greens operate a system whereby if they are busy with no free tables, you are invited to head across to the Chelsea with a pager and you will be paged once your table is ready.
The pizzas are excellent and there is a small range of pasta dishes.
For me personally there are 2 main reasons as to why Greens are special:
1 Dragons Tongue Bread
Individual portions of freshly baked bread with a sweet chilli and garlic sauce and melted cheese just oozing out of the centre once you cut into it.
2 Greens Salad
An ordinary run of the mill green salad - with a secret weapon being the salad dressing - simply amazing dressing - no one knows what's in it and the staff will not give up that secret!
Greens do have a delivery service but really only for those in the immediate area. A take away service is also available.
Prices are not overly expensive, but at the same time are not cheap either.
Villa Italia Sited opposite Queens University Villa Italia is one of the best restaurants in Belfast with good food and competitive prices. The restaurant has been open for over 20 years and is well established.
Booking is only available for large groups but the restaurant has recently expanded and there is never trouble getting a table.
Drink
- The Cloth Ear, The Merchant Hotel (35-39 Merchant Street, Tel: +4428 9023 4888) - The bar is attached to one of the newest & hippest hotels in Belfast City Centre - The Merchant Hotel (definitely not back packery!) and is what you would definitely call one of the places to be seen in the city at present. Expect to pay hotel prices - a bottle of beer is around £3.25. They do a mean mojito too l must add - costing around £5-6. The bar also does food daily until 9pm. The bar is decorated with differing artefacts - including a wooden moose, vintage clothing and deer heads. Also music doesn't feature much (light background only) so you can actually hear your conversation. At weekends if you are not in before 9pm expect to have to queue to gain entrance to the bar, and although the bar is busy the staff are quick and you shouldn't have to queue too long to get your thirst quenched!
- The Crown Bar The Crown is the most famous bar in Belfast and one of the most popular in the whole Island. Although busy on weekends there is always great craic and good beer!
Work
Learn
References
- 1 July 2005 est. of Belfast Metropolitan Area. Source: Belfast City Council
This is version 18. Last edited at 5:39 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+40). 5 articles link to this page.
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