Belfast City Guide

United Kingdom>Belfast
A village in the 17th century, this robust northern metropolis of nearly half a million people - a third of Northern Ireland's population - has much in common with Liverpool and Manchester, those breezy cities across the Irish Sea.

Belfast was the engine-room that drove the whirring wheels of the industrial revolution in Ulster. The development of industries like linen, rope-making and shipbuilding doubled the size of the town every ten years. The world's largest dry dock is here and the shipyard's giant cranes tower over the port.

To recapture a moment of nostalgia, visit Ulster Museum - In the Botanic Gardens - its collections include contemporary international art, Irish art, Irish furniture, glass, silver, ceramics, costume, and a display of life in Ireland over 9,000 years. Perhaps the best known collection is the gold and silver jewelry found in the Spanish Armada treasure ship Girona, wrecked off the Giant's Causeway in 1588.

You can obtain any info or knowledge in Linen Hall Library - located near City Hall, which was established in 1788 to improve the mind and excite a spirit of inquiry. It includes an important Irish collection of over 20,000 volumes, with a Robert Burns collection. Archive material can be viewed by appointment.

To enjoy the lush green plantations, visit the Botanic Gardens - "Palm House", an elegant structure of curved glass and cast iron that was renovated recently. In the Tropical Ravine, plants grow in a sunken glen.

Visit the beaten off track in Belfast Zoo - In a picturesque mountain park high above the city. Or, climb the Cave hill beyond Belfast Castle for a great view. A prominent rock at the top, known as MacArt's Fort, is where the United Irishmen planned rebellion in 1795. In Lagan Valley Regional Park, you may enjoy a pleasant walk along the towpath past canal locks and lock-houses.

You can enjoy coarse fishing all year round in Northern Ireland which has long been recognized as one of Europe's best regions for the coarse angler. Two particularly notable venues for big matches are Lough Erne in Fermanagh and the Upper Bann river which flows into the vast inland sea of Lough Neagh. Both have held innumerable match fishing world records.

Indulge in the rose fragrance at Dixon Park - The City of Belfast international rose trials are held in this beautiful park every year in July. At any time in the summer, there are always at least 100,000 blooms to see. It is simply enchanting.

Perhaps, you may see a theatre performance at Grand Opera House or you may decide to end up at a musical pub like the Duke of York, or atmospheric Kelly's Cellars.

If exploring the shops is your perfect day out, you'll find the centre of Belfast compact yet full of the best of both worlds, with branches of High Street chainstores together with excellent main shopping area which is neatly collected around Donegall Place, the wide street facing City Hall. Here you will find many familiar names - Marks and Spencer.

The City Hall, built around 1903, dominates the main shopping area. Built in the grand Classical Renaissance style, with an Italian marble interior, it looks rather like American state capitol buildings except for the big statue of Queen Victoria at the front.

Getting There and Moving Around

By rail

Trains from Belfast serve Londonderry, Dublin, Bangor and Larne, with stops at all stations en route. The free Centrelink Bus connects Central Station with the city centre.

By road

Citybus services operate throughout Belfast. available from the Citybus kiosk in Donegall Square West. Travelcards are available from agents throughout the city or from Citybus Kiosk.

Ulsterbus operates services between Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Taxis - Private taxis are relatively cheap, plentiful and can be booked by telephone. London-style black cabs are the only taxis which can be hailed in the street and travel throughout the city. Black taxis also operate on routes to West Belfast. They operate like community minibuses on set routes.

Or, you can also hire cars or bicycles as your alternatives to move around this fascinating city.

Moving Around

The availability of various transport mode in this city is a convenience of visitors moving around Belfast.