Visitors from abroad are great. They inspire you to visit places nearer home that you have overlooked!
When my brother and sister-in-law came for a visit from Hong Kong and wanted to go to visit Giant Causeway, my interest was piqued. We ended up spending a lovely long weekend together in Belfast. We even managed to pick 3 days of bright sunny weather
Belfast – gateway to scenic treasures
Belfast is not automatically on everyone’s to-visit list. But I have no doubt that it will become a popular tourist destination in the near future! Having put behind the city’s tumultuous past, there is now a vibe of a rising metropolis. It will certainly make a refreshing change for a weekend break for those tired of the old favourites.
Arrival date to Avoid – 12 July
12 July is a special public holiday in Belfast. The date is known as The Twelfth, also called Orangemen’s Day. On this day, there’re marching bands all over the city from 8.30 to the early evening.
It’s quite a spectacle to see a sea of orange with columns of people marching with drums.
However it’s not much fun for us when the traffic was brought to a halt and we spent 45 minutes in a taxi on our way to our rented apartment!
Aqua Dream Luxury Apartment at Portland 88
This modern 2-bedroomed apartment was perfect for the 3 of us. It’s spacious with all the mod-cons and a 15 minutes’ walk to the city centre. The only transport we needed in Belfast was Uber rides to and from the airport.
Belfast Free Walking Tour
We joined the 2-hour walking tour at 11.00. Dave, our guide of the walking tour was a font of knowledge. We would never have seen some of the places wandering by ourselves. The history of the city came alive with his narration punctuated with personal experiences. The 2 hours spent walking went unnoticed except for my tiring legs!!
Taking photos of the places we passed was almost essential to help recall all the interesting buildings and tales attached to them!
The Titanic Memorial Garden
Situated on the grounds of Belfast City Hall, it features a plinth with the names of 1512 people who died in 1912 when the ship sank on its maiden voyage. The Titanic was close to the heart of people in the city because it was built here when Belfast had a striving shipbuilding industry
John Bell House
This grand 5-storey building in the heart of the city was constructed between 1902 – 1906 to accommodate the Belfast Municipal Technical Institute. It is now accommodation for students. It sure beats some soulless student apartments!
Great Victoria Street with some notable buildings
Grand Opera House
It opened in 1895 and has hosted a number of famous artists, although the only name that I can remember is Elton John!
Europa Hotel
Europa Hotel is next to the opera house. It has the dubious fame of being the most bombed hotel – 33 times during The Troubles when it hosted journalists!
Crown Saloon
It was built in the Victorian era. This Grade A Listed Building is managed by National Trust and is said to have retained the ornate period decors. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to have a look inside.
I was told that it’s also a recognisable landmark as it’s been featured as a location in numerous film and television productions. However I didn’t know a single one that was named!!
Ulster Bank
Right in the commercial heart of Belfast, the bank opened for business for the first time in July 1836.
Revolución de Cuba
This cocktail bar and restaurant on Arthur Street is housed in a building built in the 1800s as the headquarters for a renowned whisky distillery.
Jaffe Fountain Building
This Corn Market building dates back to the 19th century, making it approximately 150 years old. It is currently occupied by EE
The Bank Buildings
The original building was constructed in 1785. It has been the flagship store of clothing retailer Primark since 1979. It has undergone some significant programmes of reconstruction, notably in 2018 after it was gutted by fire. It was painstakingly restored at the cost of £100 million. The store reopened in November 2022
Albert Memorial Clock
This iconic landmark was built between 1865 and 1870. By the late 1999’s it has a noticeable lean of about 4 feet, because Queen’s Square where it stands was built on an area of marshland. Despite the major restoration project in 2002 to address the issue, it still retains a slight lean.
Cathedral Quarter
The Cathedral Quarter was the centre of Belfast’s trade and warehousing district. It’s now a cultural and social hub.
Commercial Court
A string of pubs are tucked away in this attractive alleyway, with colourful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling.
White’s Tavern
White’s Tavern lays claim to being be the oldest tavern in Belfast when the building received the city’s first-ever tavern license in 1630.
The Dirty Onion and Yardbird
This pub is housed in the oldest timber building in Belfast, circa 1680
The Merchant Hotel
There were 4 hotels in Belfast during The Troubles, mainly for journalists. There are now 44 hotels including 5 luxury 5-star hotels, of which The Merchant Hotel is one. It was originally built in 1857 as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank.
Obel Tower
Standing at only 85 metres (279 feet) with 28 floors, it is the tallest building not only in Belfast but in all of Northern Ireland! It dominates the skyline of Belfast Harbour at the mouth of the River Lagan
Belfast Harbour
The “Big Fish” sculpture
Also known as the “Salmon of Knowledge,” it is a prominent landmark in Belfast. Created in 1999, this 10-metre-long ceramic mosaic sculpture is located on Donegall Quay, beside the River Lagan. It contains a time capsule. No one knows the contents and it is not to be opened for at least 100 years – just a wait of another 75 years!!
Titanic Belfast
As the tour finished at the Harbour I couldn’t miss the opportunity to stay behind to visit Titanic Belfast. It’s an awesome building!
Other impressive buildings around Belfast
There are so many grand period buildings around Belfast as befitting a budding metropolis
Ewart Building
It’s the head office of William Ewart & Son Ltd. It was originally built as the Bedford Street Weaving Factory in 1869.
Belfast City Hall
Saving the best till last, here is the splendid Belfast City Hall!
This striking building was built in 1906. Apart from being a magnificent civil building, it is also a symbol of city pride
The magnificent exteriors are matched by the opulent interiors
I’m so glad that I visited Belfast! What an amazing insight I gained from the local tour guides! Their despair of the troubled past and optimism for the future of this beautiful corner of Ireland are palpable and moving.
