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Memories 30 years a Belfastman
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland Rated as average During many years Belfast became a part of my
life. As a real Dutchman I cycled from Rosslare in co. Wexford to Belfast in the
early seventies and since then I came back again and again - using more
comfortable ways of transport during later visits. In a period of exactly 30
years I noticed all the changes and according to some I became very much a
Belfastman myself. Well anyway, I adopted this typical Northern Irish sense to
determine if someone I met was a catholic or a protestant and in my head was the
well known jig saw of Belfast peace lines and interfaces. I always knew exactly
in which territory I was! A charming aspect of being in Belfast in the early
seventies - or wherever in the North of Ireland - was the fact that I was almost
the only foreigner. Visiting the Northern Ireland Tourist Board office in High
Street at the time was an interesting experience. Of course there was a doorman,
of course I was searched and of course I was the only visitor. The girls behind
the counter took their time, because my appearance meant there was something to
do, and - indeed - they served tea and cake! I almost felt sorry for them that
first time, when I left, back on the pushbike on my way to a B&B in
Wellington Park for which they made a reservation. After my first Belfast
experiences I became involved in the Dutch Help Northern Ireland Foundation.
What we tried to do was support cross community relations by organising social
education trips for mixed groups of Northern Irish youngsters to Holland. As a
member of the board of our organisation I often travelled to Belfast, meeting
people in all the well known areas. Yes, I felt very much at home in
Ballymurphy, Turf Lodge, Short Strand, the now demolished Unity Flats and Divis
Flats and the Falls - on the one side - and for instance Shankill, Sandy Row,
Ballysillan, Suffolk, Tigers Bay and east Belfast on the other. Yes, I went to
the social clubs on both sides of the peace lines and I drank in local bars
where you had to push the buzzer first. The foundation was a good reason to
return to Belfast several times a year, but I really went over time after time
when my ex-wife and daughter moved to Belfast. Very slowly in the
beginning, but more and more rapidly during the nineties the city began to
change. Suddenly there were Germans, French, people from other countries, and
those from the Irish Republic who wanted to see were it all happened. I was
stopped on the streets - not any longer by grim RUC-men or soldiers - but by
holiday makers who asked me how to get to the Falls or the Shankill. Their
accent often made it difficult to understand were they wanted to go. They all
wanted to see the murals. Tourist tours started. With some sense of drama I
often thought: where were you when the war was on? Possibly safe at home,
watching the News on the telly. And of course they were right. However these
days Belfast looses its isolated position. Tourists everywhere. New hotels, new
restaurants, strange languages on the streets; its getting cosmopolitan. I
still go to Belfast, mainly to visit my daughter on a regularly basis, and I
still enjoy a pint in one of the old Belfast bars. But I avoid the growing
number of trendy places. Belfast - as it was - brought misery and sadness to
many people. But there was also some very specific humour in the air, there were
characters living in every neighbourhood, there were pubs and clubs full of
friends. I know this song is written about another city, but Belfast - the
old Belfast I should say - that was definitely the town I loved so
well!
Submitted by Frits
Beutick From Lisse, The
Netherlands
A pleasant surprise! at Belfast
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland Rated as Excellent
When my family in Grogey, Fivemiletown (Co. Fermanagh) suggested a day trip to Belfast, my first thought was "Oh, I don't know...it's a violent, dirty, scary city." But, trusting that family would never take me anywhere unsafe, I agreed to go. I didn't see a lot of Belfast but what I saw, I loved! There were so many beautiful buildings (City Hall, Queens College, etc.) and the City Centre was busy and alive. We walked around, ate in an outdoor cafe, shopped in the CastleCourt mall, and sat in the Botanical Gardens. Needless to say, my view of Belfast being dirty and scary is gone. It was well worth the visit!
Submitted by Ann Marie DiMarzio from USA
Good Food!!!!!! at Taps Bar, Belfast
Located at Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland Rated as Excellent Taps Wine Bar
479 Lisburn Road
Tel: 028 9066 3211
Open (lunch): 12 noon - 11 pm Mon - Sat
Open (dinner): 12 noon - 11 pm Mon - Sat
Taps bar on the Lisburn Road is new and well worth a visit.
The food is lovely and caters for a mix of taste buds... The portion sizes are above average for the meagre cost and the wine keeps flowing....
Excellent venue for a chat and a girlie gossip-think Carrie and Co.
Submitted by Bronagh from Australia
Blackstaff Way Guided Walking Tour
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland
Rated as Excellent
The Saturday Morning Blackstaff Way Guided Walking Tour. Starts from the Welcome Centre, Donegall Place at 11a.m. Aril - October. Price £4 for the 1 1/2 hour tour.
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland
I rate this as Above average
I have visited Belfast twice in the past two years and I find it to be a lovely, orderly and clean city. It has lots of things to see and it's not over-run by tourists. I enjoyed Cave Hill Park and Belfast Castle on the last trip. What a beautiful view from this spot. Also visited the Scrabo Tower at Newtonards, St. Patrick's grave in Downpatrick and then up the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway. Belfast is within easy reach of many things, and even Dublin is only a short journey by American standards. I loved Belfast and would not hesitate to return.
Submitted by Matt Cordell from USA
Loved It at The Botanic Inn
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland
I rate this as Excellent
The best spot in belfast. Full of friendly students, a great atmosphere and good drink.
Submitted by N.Tumilty from Ireland. 23-27 Malone Road
Belfast
Tel. 028 9066 0460
Entertainment in Belfast
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland
I rate this as Excellent
Your visit to belfast will not be complete without sampling the fine food and entertainment that the city has to offer.
Try special restaurants like the trendy Shanks or for a little classey entertainment the Ten Square brings glamour and cocktail. My ideal night out in Belfast is not complete without a visit to The Bambu Beach Club at the Odyssey Pavilion.
This club has taken belfast by storm and nights in Belfast will never be the same again.
Submitted by Billy Curran from Belfast
Lavery's Bar at Belfast
Located at Belfast, Northern Ireland I rate this as Above average
Must be one of Belfast's liveliest bars, Situated in the Golden Mile area people come from all over Northern Ireland to drink and party in it. No one is out of place here and makes it perfect for visitors to blend in and enjoy.
Rated as average
Rated as Excellent
I rate this as Above average
Your visit to belfast will not be complete without sampling the fine food and entertainment that the city has to offer.
Try special restaurants like the trendy Shanks or for a little classey entertainment the Ten Square brings glamour and cocktail. My ideal night out in Belfast is not complete without a visit to The Bambu Beach Club at the Odyssey Pavilion.
This club has taken belfast by storm and nights in Belfast will never be the same again.
