Well there is an old saying, "You can take the girl outta Belfast BUT you can't take the Belfast outta da girl"
That saying is very true and I'm sure if you ask anyone else in my position (living in England or else where) they would feel the same.
I grew up living in Belfast until the age of 17 where I moved to England to be with my family, although I still have firm roots in Belfast and visit regularly.
Belfast has been broadcast over the years on the news as being a place of war between Protestants and Catholics, but let me assure you now that all that muck hapens behind closed doors and a vistior to Belfast would be shown nothing but hospitality, the locals are exceptionally friendly and very willing to help you experience the best of Belfast, just stop them in the street and they are sure to point you to the most exciting bars/clubs/sights to see and shops.
Getting to Belfast theses days is very simple low cost airlines operate into Belfast City airport which is located 10-15 mins from the city centre and also Aldergrove (Belfast international) around 45mins from Belfast, £20 taxi ride or you can catch a linking bus to Belfast Europa for about £6. Alternativly you can travel by ferry/coach into Belfast docks (central Belfast).
To get about in Belfast, you can catch a CityBus which are the RED one's to travel anywhere within Belfast City itself or alternatively if you catch an UlsterBus these are the BLUE one's you will be able to travel anywhere in Northern Ireland, pick up some bus timetables from Tourist information.
Belfast itself has undergone a lot of developments in the last 10 years and is now home to the wonderful odyssey arena which has a 12 screen multiplex, home of Belfast Giants Icehockey teams, an arena which holds up to 10,000 spectators for concerts etc as well as many restraunts and bars. Also there is the beautiful waterfront hall another venue used for concert and performances.
The shopping in Belfast is central and pedestrianised mostly, the atmosphere is generally busy with music drifting out onto the streets, Christmas is my personal favorite loud christmas music in the street, street traders calling out for business and the general hustle and bustle. Its such a happy festive memory that i'm sure most would not forget once savored.
There are plenty to see outside of Belfast itself such as a trip down the beautiful Antrim coast with the white cliffs dripping into the sea, the giants causeway and Ulster American Folk park. There's Belfast Zoo up at Cavehill, Travel to Newcastle where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
Belfast is a fantasic little city, and although it has its troubles, it can hold its head high knowing that those who visit see its wealth in the people & their passion is their only real fault.
Visit Belfast I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Ah, you'll have to come back more often! - the buses have changed - we now have a Metro System - with nice pink-ish buses! Castlecourt - the shopping centre next to Vurgin's store ( see Rabbiter below ) is soon going to be joined in the city with the Victoria Square Centre - but its still a long way off of Dublin - ( now there's a controversial statement ??!! ) - Trevor
LaineyMc 19.02.2006 01:58
great review - they say Belfast is slowly becoming the new Dublin - Lainey
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Feb 18th, 2006
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