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Belfast City Break
Beautiful Belfast, historically famous for shipbuilding and Irish Linen. More recently, rapid changes have brought an exciting dynamism to this once troubled spot. Belfast has divided itself into quarters of various interests, Queens Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, Gaeltacht Quarter and Titanic Quarter each with its own story to tell.
There is no better way to get beneath a city’s cultural skin and discover the elegant and challenging complexities of its character than to explore its artistic life. The Art Scene in Belfast is flourishing with a great number of Galleries ranging from large public galleries to the smallest privately run space.
The river Lagan running through the heart of Belfast city was in the 18th century, the commercial centre. This has come full circle and once again today many of the most exciting developments are along the waterfront. Come and see for yourself...
Places of Interest
After a good breakfast, go to Castleplace in the city centre where you can join the hopon-hopoff tour of buzzing Belfast. Pick and choose which of the city’s highlights that interest you, learn a brief history and go and visit, otherwise go along another day, now that you know where it is and what it’s about. www.belfastcitysightseeing.com
One of the iconic buildings of Belfast’s skyline and the finest Victorian architectural set-piece in the Province, Queens University will bring you back to 1845. There is a wealth of other key architectural points around the campus along with a visitor centre housing various exhibitions during the year. More recent history was made in the Canada room where the foundations were laid for the Northern Ireland peace process. www.qub.ac.uk/vcentre
Lose yourself in the wonderful W5 experience in the Odyssey Complex on Belfast’s waterfront. What,when,where,why who (W5!) is a terrific world of discovery for all the family. Science at its best with great fun discovering it in this totally interactive place of fun, start out by climbing the musical stairs, be a car mechanic, make balls float in the air…there is not enough time or room to describe all the activities, you will just have to go for yourself and find out... www.w5online.co.uk
As the locals proudly say, “she was alright when she left here” when they speak of the infamous ‘Titanic’. Take a visit by boat and go on the ‘Titanic’ tour, around the shipyards of Harland and Wolf the builders of the doomed ocean liner. See the two giant cranes, Samson & Goliath and the changing mixture of heritage and modern developments on the river Lagan. www.laganboatcompany.com
Step outside the immediate Belfast area and be sure and visit one of Ulster’s fine museums. The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum beautifully illustrates the way of life and traditions of the people of the north of Ireland. Set in a carefully recreated landscape extending over 60 acres with houses, mill, shops, schools and churches portraying life in the early 1900s through costumed interpretation. The award winning galleries of the Transport Museum display Ireland’s most comprehensive collections from the Horse drawn cart to Irish build motor cars, from steam locomotives to the history of boatbuilding. www.magni.co.uk
In legend, the Giant’s Causeway was the work of Finn McCool, a giant who commanded the King of Ireland’s armies. He took a fancy to a lady giant from an island in the Hebrides, and built the Causeway to bring her to live with him in Ulster. A mass of 40,000 stone columns that form steps leasing from the cliff foot and disappearing under the sea. An amazing sight! www.causewaycoasstandglens.com
The word whiskey comes from the Gaelic ‘Uisce Beatha’ (pronounced ‘ishka baha’) which was shortened to uisce and eventually to whiskey by the English who couldn’t pronounce the original Gaelic term. Steeped in history (and alcohol) a visit to the Bushmills Distillery will take you on a journey from the start up through the growing then struggling export market and on to what it has become today. www.bushmills.com
Where to Eat and Stay
Ardtara Country House
"Most Romantic Hotel of the Year" AA Award, Ardtara is a charming and elegant 19th century mansion, situated in the heart of South Derry countryside. Once the home to the famous Clark family, famed for linen making, Ardtara is now widely regarded as one of the finest country houses in Northern Ireland.
Bushmills Inn
Rescued from near dereliction in 1988 by the present owner this faithfully restored coaching inn and adjoining mill house, at the home of the world's oldest distillery, has become one of Ireland's 'must visit' hotels.
Newforge House
Cradled in mature gardens and green fields in the village of Magheralin this Georgian Country House, built in 1785, has been in the family for six generations. Extensive, yet sensitive, restoration works were undertaken over two-years before John and Louise Mathers opened the family home to guests in 2005.
Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com
