Belfast Mural Tour - The two political groupings in the Northern Ireland (Republican and Loyalist, the former predominantly being Catholic and the latter predominantly Protestant) have a strong tradition of large wall mural painting in their communities, particularly the poorer ones. If you head to The Falls Road or Shankill you will get a good look at what are some of the world's finest house sized political murals. They change frequently depending on the political climate but they are definitely something to see. The areas they are in (i.e. the poorer ghettos) are very safe by day (and by night for that matter due to the communities self 'policing') so long as you're not selling drugs or spouting political nonsense. Ask around and somebody will be able to point you to the murals.
Black Taxi Tours provide a fascinating insight into west Belfast. These can be booked through all hostels, hotels and the Belfast Welcome Centre, and cost around £7.50 - £10 per person.
The Golden Mile is the name given to the mile or so between Belfast City Hall and Queen's University. It sometimes disappoints tourists because it's less immediately evident and less densely packed together than the name suggests. It's also not the safest part of Belfast at night - local taxi trivers will tell you some horror stories about things they see on Friday and Saturday nights and a large police presence is usually in evidence. Be careful using cash machines, and if you're having trouble getting a taxi it's probably better to start walking than to stick around for too long on street corners. Exploring the area in the day time will help you if you come back later for a night out. You'll find the lion's share of the City Centre's best bars and some good places to eat here. The Golden Mile starts around the Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street, takes a skip to the left to continue down Dublin Road, reaches a buzzing climax around Bradbury Place (just south of the big screen overlooking the junction) and graduates to student friendly but welcoming bars along Botanic Avenue and University Road. See the Drink section for specific recommendations.
Enjoy a long, slow afternoon with a pint or two of Guinness in one of the bars listed here.
Crown Liquor Saloon, 46 Great Victoria St, 028 9027 9901, aka Crown Bar. Situated on the Golden Mile opposite the Europa Hotel, it is by some visitors rated to be the most beautiful pub existing in Northern Ireland today, and even if you don't drink, it's worth a visit. Apart from the stained glass windows (lovingly restored and replaced after several car bombs) it is largely unchanged since Victorian times, and the dark interior is still gas-lit. Inside, you'll find the famous booths which can seat about a dozen people, and be closed off from the bar with the attracted wood panneled doors. These are hot property after work on a Friday afternoon, so move quickly if you have the chance to occupy one. Note the button inside which was once used to summon a barman to take your order (sorry, these no longer work).
Odyssey Centre, 2 Queen's Quay, 028 9045 1055. Across the bridge from the Lagan Weir is the Odyssey centre. This complex contains a cinema, the Odyssey Arena (home of ice hockey team Belfast Giants), a bowling alley, W5 (an interactive science discovery centre) and a range of restaurants and bars.
Parks and open spaces Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The main parks include Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Ormeau Park and Botanic Gardens (located in the south of the city), Waterworks, Belfast Castle estate, Cave Hill Country Park and Alexandra Park (north Belfast), Dunville and Falls Park (west Belfast) and Orangefield and Victoria Park (in the east of the city). There are a host of walking routes through these parks and many include play facilities for children. Slightly further out from the City Centre, the Lagan Towpath is a delightful, peaceful and safe walk particularly during the summer months.
Grand Opera House, [57]. Possibly the finest remaining example of Georgian theatre architecture in the UK, this century-old building is a must-see for theatre and art lovers alike. Plays tend to show every evening except Sundays, with matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays. Discount is often available for students and senior citizens. The theatre also features an art gallery, displaying local artwork: viewing the pictures is free. Tours operate on Sundays to see the entire theatre for those who wish to learn about the rich heritage of the theatre and the role it has played in Northern Ireland's history. The theatre also has a contemporary bar and cafe for people to relax during the day or have lunch. The staff are very friendly and helpful, with a good knowledge of the area. The theatre is right next to Great Victoria Street Station, making it a perfect place to visit when you arrive.
TheCity Hallwas finished in 1906 and was built to reflectBelfast's city status, granted byQueen Victoriain 1888. TheEdwardianarchitectural influenced theVictoria MemorialinCalcutta, India, andDurbanCity Hall in South Africa.[63][64]The dome is 173 ft (53 m) high and figures above the door state "Hiberniaencouraging and promoting the Commerce and Arts of the City".[65]Among the city's grandest buildings are two former banks:Ulster Bankin Waring Street (built in 1860) andNorthern Bank, in nearby Donegall Street (built in 1769). TheRoyal Courts of Justicein Chichester Street are home to Northern Ireland'sSupreme Court. Many ofBelfast's oldest buildings are found in theCathedral Quarterarea, which is currently undergoing redevelopment as the city's main cultural and tourist area.[56]Windsor House, 262 ft (80 m) high, has 23 floors and is the second tallest building (as distinct from structure) in Ireland.[66]Work has started on the tallerObel Tower, which already surpasses the height of Windsor House in its unfinished state. In 2007, plans were approved for theAurora building. At 37 storeys and 358 ft (109 m) high, this will surpass both previous buildings.[67]
BelfastSkyline at dusk
The ornately decoratedCrown Liquor Saloon, designed by Joseph Anderson in 1876, in Great Victoria Street is the only bar in the UK owned by theNational Trust. It was made internationally famous as the setting for the classic film,Odd Man Out, starringJames Mason.[68]The restaurant panels in the Crown Bar were originally made for Britannic, the sister ship of theTitanic,[65]built inBelfast. TheHarland and Wolffshipyard is now the location of the world's largestdry dock,[69]where the giant cranes,Samson and Goliathstand out againstBelfast's skyline. Including theWaterfront Halland theOdyssey Arena,Belfasthas several other venues for performing arts. The architecture of theGrand Opera Househas a distinctly oriental theme and was completed in 1895. It was bombed several times duringthe Troublesbut has now been restored to its former glory.[70]The Lyric Theatre, (currently undergoing a rebuilding programme) the only full-time producing theatre in the country, is where film starLiam Neesonbegan his career.[71]TheUlster Hall(1859–1862) was originally designed for grand dances but is now used primarily as a concert and sporting venue.Lloyd George,ParnellandPatrick Pearseall attended political rallies there.[65]
Sitting at the mouth of the gentle River Lagan where it becomes a deep and sheltered lough,Belfastis surrounded by mountains that create a special micro-climate that is conducive and beneficial to horticulture. From the Victorian idyll that is Botanic Gardens in the heart of the city to the spectacular heights of Cave Hill Country Park, the great expanse of Lagan Valley Regional Park to the tranquil beauty of Colin Glen,Belfastcontains an abundance of beautiful parkland and forest parks, all of which are in close proximity toBelfastcity centre.[72]
Parks and Gardens are an integral part ofBelfast's heritage, and home to an abundance of local wildlife and popular places for a picnic, a stroll or a jog. Numerous events take place throughout including festivals such as Rose Week and special activities such as bird watching evenings and great beast hunts.[72]
Belfasthas over forty public parks. The Forest ofBelfastis a partnership between government and local groups, set up in 1992 to manage and conserve the city's parks and open spaces. They have commissioned more than 30 public sculptures since 1993.[73]In 2006, theCity Councilset asideUK£8 million to continue this work.[74]TheBelfastNaturalists' Field Clubwas founded in 1863 and is administered by National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.[75]
The Palm House at the Botanic Gardens.
With 700,000 visitors in 2005,[76]one of the most popular parks[77]isBotanic Gardensin theQueen's Quarter. Built in the 1830s and designed bySir Charles Lanyon, Botanic Gardens Palm House is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear and cast ironglasshouse.[78]Other attractions in the park include the Tropical Ravine, a humid jungle glen built in 1889, rose gardens and public events ranging from live opera broadcasts to pop concerts.[79]U2played here in 1997.Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, to the south of the city centre, attracts thousands of visitors each year to its International Rose Garden.[80]Rose Week in July each year features over 20,000 blooms.[81]It has an area of 128 acres (0.52 km2) of meadows, woodland and gardens and features aPrincess DianaMemorial Garden, a Japanese Garden, a walled garden, and the Golden Crown Fountain commissioned in 2002 as part of theQueen's Golden Jubileecelebrations.[80]
BelfastZoois owned byBelfastCity Council. The council spends £1.5 million every year on running and promoting the zoo, which is one of the few local government-funded zoos in the UK and Ireland. The Zoo is one of the top visitor attraction in Northern Ireland, receiving more than 295,000 visitors a year. The majority of the animals are in danger in their natural habitat. The zoo houses more than 1,200 animals of 140 species includingAsian Elephants,Barbary Lions, aWhite Tigers(one of the few in theUnited Kingdom), three species ofpenguin, a family ofWestern Lowland Gorillas, a troop ofCommon Chimpanzees, aRed Pandaand several species oflangur. The zoo also carries out important conservation work and takes part in European and international breeding programmes which help to ensure the survival of many species under threat.[82]
