The city of Belfast
Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, is the second largest city in Ireland after Dublin. When the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998 was signed, it finally ended decades of sectarian tensions. Since then, Belfast with a population of about 275,000 inhabitants has become one of the most dynamic cities in Europe. Rich in history, as evidenced by its wonderful Victorian and Edwardian heritage, Belfast is ideal for those who want to understand the history of Ireland destination. The city today has nothing to do with that of 50 years ago. Peace brought peace, prosperity and substantial foreign investment, allowing you to regain your charm and true condition of hidden treasure of Ireland. The people of Belfast are famous for their open, welcoming nature and sympathy, so that visitors from other countries are always welcome.
Moving around the city
Belfast is a very accessible city. Most of Belfast city center is pedestrianized and it can take about an hour to cover the entire city on foot.
Belfast has metro and bus.
- Metro: The metro includes a night service, but the connections between the neighborhoods of the periphery are not perfect.
- Bus: Citybus (red buses) travels across town and you can buy tickets from Monday to Friday at the box Citybus in Donegall Square.
Interests
Northern Ireland has been designated as a destination to visit in 2007 by Lonely Planet
In Belfast over 6000 people built the legendary TITANIC.
The city is flanked by a series of hills, one of which is known as Cavenhill, which inspired Jonathan Swift in his novel Gulliver's Travels by having the shape of a lying giant.
Apart from Jonathan Swift, the city was also home to famous authors like Louis MacNeice, Seamus Heaney and CS Lewis author of The Chronicles of Narnia
East Belfast was also the birthplace of singer Van Morrison. The house is in its infancy Hyndford Street.
Even today you can see the traces of the last outbreaks of violence in the city, such as brick and concrete walls erected to separate Catholics from Protestants neighborhoods to avoid confrontations.
Attractions in Belfast
City Hall-City Hall: Renaissance is in the heart of the city
Lagan River: docks on the river can contemplate the curious statue of a huge fish, Big Fish.
Queens University: 1849 in Tudor style
Murals of West: In Belfast walls speak and truth. One of the undeniable attractions is to visit Belfast political murals on Shankill Road, there are over 700 and reflect the hard times in the history of the city
Cathedral Quarter: is well known because here the Cathedral of Santa Ana is located in this neighborhood are some beautiful examples of Victorian buildings and Art Deco architecture, in addition to several art galleries, places dedicated to the iconic performing arts, pubs and excellent restaurants
The Belfast Botanic Gardens dates from 1828, but not opened to the public until 1898. Globally known, is famous for its large greenhouses, its beautiful corridors and herbaceous beds and shrubs
Ulster Museum. This fascinating Museum, founded in 1821, is a treasure that contains several exhibitions, including the Irish and local history are included as well as a fine collection of art.
Belfast Zoo: Belfast Zoo is filled with animals from all over the world, an exhibition of reptiles, birds of prey and breeding projects and conservation of species.
Saint George's Market: Built between 1890 and 1896, Saint George's Market is one of the oldest attractions, and the last Victorian covered market in the region.
Castle Belfast: Belfast Castle is a magnificent Scottish baronial castle sandstone located in the hillside Cave Hill.
Stormont: the building which houses the Parliament of Northern Ireland, designed by Sir Arnold Thornley in the Greek classical style. Built with Portland stone, was inaugurated in November 1932.
And at night?
The nightlife in Belfast is rich, lively and full of energy. Choose from a multitude of traditional Irish pubs to enjoy a Guinness, eat fish & chips and listen to live Irish music.
Leisure in Belfast revolves around the Theatre and Music. The evening begins in the University Quarter, although pubs are scattered throughout the city. The most traditional are in the pedestrian area of High Street and are open at weekends until 02.00 am.
Theatre: The Grand Opera House is the most famous theatre in Northern Ireland and has a programme featuring the best in live theatre, in order to satisfy the greatest number of tastes and ages. It attracts reputable companies in England who tour with ex-West End productions, also the musicals, ballet companies worldwide and native opera companies. The Irish, classical and contemporary drama is incorporated in a season full of excitement
If the theatre is not your thing, you can try a truly homelike atmosphere in The Garrick Chichester Street. The bar retains the traditional Victorian flavour with dark wood ceilings, reserved its classic leather sofas covered with buttons and copper faucets.
Other places where you can hear live music are the pubs, which often have intimate concerts of pop, rock and folk. Local environments are the best: The Empire, The Rotterdam and The Limelight
The West Belfast Festival which takes place annually in August, celebrates the Irish nationalist culture of the city. The Belfast Queens Festival, which takes place in November each year, is truly an international arts festival that attracts people from around the world and is second only to Edinburgh Festival in importance.
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