Trip to Belfast
Discussion
Do any forum members live in or around Belfast?
The reason I ask is that I have booked a cheap ryanair flight, £20 return all in, from East Midlands in late September. I was going with my student daughter, who is doing politics etc at UCL.
I would imagine there are areas to avoid after dark, but during normal times would one advised to just take due care? My daughter was interested in seeing the street murals, I know, I know, but there you go!
Equally are there any areas which should not be missed?
Thanks.
The reason I ask is that I have booked a cheap ryanair flight, £20 return all in, from East Midlands in late September. I was going with my student daughter, who is doing politics etc at UCL.
I would imagine there are areas to avoid after dark, but during normal times would one advised to just take due care? My daughter was interested in seeing the street murals, I know, I know, but there you go!
Equally are there any areas which should not be missed?
Thanks.
Edited by HRH2009 on Tuesday 10th August 06:38
Take one of the open top bus tours or taxi tours to see the sights round belfast. Belfast after dark is same as any city, if you're on a pub crawl you might get mugged or assaulted if you wander about back streets. The really dodgy areas are not really within walking distance so it's unlikely you'd take a wrong turn and end up in the middle of them.
Hi,
I'd second that. Black taxi tours are probably the best for murals and that.
Belfast city centre is pretty safe. It's quite compact and there are plenty of places to drink and eat. I'd recommend visiting the Crown Bar on Great Victoria Street for a couple of pints. Very touristy but really nice pub, Then try Bar Red just around the corner. Much more popular with the locals and a good place for a bite of dinner.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip
I'd second that. Black taxi tours are probably the best for murals and that.
Belfast city centre is pretty safe. It's quite compact and there are plenty of places to drink and eat. I'd recommend visiting the Crown Bar on Great Victoria Street for a couple of pints. Very touristy but really nice pub, Then try Bar Red just around the corner. Much more popular with the locals and a good place for a bite of dinner.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip
The places to be avoided are where the murals are! Will have a look to see if there are any maps about and if not I'll try to get one together for you showing where the good bits are. Bus tour sounds like a good bet but never been on one, no reason to really!
You are likely to be safer in the dodgy bits than you are in the rougher parts of say London or Glasgow, can't think of anything truely unmissable really, it's a good city and small enough that short bus trips or taxi rides will get you anywhere, museum is ok they refurbished it recently and made it shinier but with a lot less in it, ulster folk and transport museum is very good if you like deloreons, old Irish things and cars bikes airplanes and old cottages and all. Worth a trip I'd say.'if you have any specific questions feel free to email me and I'll help if I can.
The traditional Irish greeting especially in republican areas is faich ermaigh. Pronounced feck ur ma. Make an effort and everyone is pretty helpful.
You are likely to be safer in the dodgy bits than you are in the rougher parts of say London or Glasgow, can't think of anything truely unmissable really, it's a good city and small enough that short bus trips or taxi rides will get you anywhere, museum is ok they refurbished it recently and made it shinier but with a lot less in it, ulster folk and transport museum is very good if you like deloreons, old Irish things and cars bikes airplanes and old cottages and all. Worth a trip I'd say.'if you have any specific questions feel free to email me and I'll help if I can.
The traditional Irish greeting especially in republican areas is faich ermaigh. Pronounced feck ur ma. Make an effort and everyone is pretty helpful.
Here is a good website for reviews of restaurants and bars in Belfast.
Enjoy your trip!
http://lookaly.com/belfast/
Enjoy your trip!
http://lookaly.com/belfast/
I said I would let youn know how my trip to Belfast went on my return.
I would thoroughly recommend taking a taxi tour around the areas of West Belfast, where much of the Troubles were centred. Our driver was objective in his guide, so one got as near possible to an accurate picture. I certainly did not know that the peace wall,20-30ft of concrete plus 15ft of metal mesh, was still in place and likely to remain so for a good while yet.
The Ulster Museum is worth a visit, with extensive items about Irish history. Thinking Belfast would be very quiet on a Sunday we took the train to Dublin: much bigger place with more happening,I enjoyed a visit to Dublin Castle where the RoI hosts its international dignitaries.
The final day was visit to Stormont on the edge of Belfast.
Other observations:
Hell of lot of good value taxis
Huge numbers of police cars and foot patrols,
And finally take an umbrella, it rains a lot in Ireland!
I would thoroughly recommend taking a taxi tour around the areas of West Belfast, where much of the Troubles were centred. Our driver was objective in his guide, so one got as near possible to an accurate picture. I certainly did not know that the peace wall,20-30ft of concrete plus 15ft of metal mesh, was still in place and likely to remain so for a good while yet.
The Ulster Museum is worth a visit, with extensive items about Irish history. Thinking Belfast would be very quiet on a Sunday we took the train to Dublin: much bigger place with more happening,I enjoyed a visit to Dublin Castle where the RoI hosts its international dignitaries.
The final day was visit to Stormont on the edge of Belfast.
Other observations:
Hell of lot of good value taxis
Huge numbers of police cars and foot patrols,
And finally take an umbrella, it rains a lot in Ireland!
HRH2009 said:
Hell of lot of good value taxis
Huge numbers of police cars and foot patrols,
And finally take an umbrella, it rains a lot in Ireland!
The 2 big taxi companies (value cabs & fon a cab) are expensive compared to the local small taxi companies.Huge numbers of police cars and foot patrols,
And finally take an umbrella, it rains a lot in Ireland!
Were you impressed by the armoured land rovers?
It is a bit damp at times, mostly during the rainy season - January to december.
Yes, we were impressed by the armoured land rovers, saw several. I bet the additional weight would increase already heavy fuel consumption. Saw one unmarked vectra full of policemen that had bullet hole in the rear nearside door, at about wheel height!
My comment about the rain was a little 'tongue in cheek'. I visited southern Ireland in the early eighties, to watch the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and we had wall to wall sunshine virtually all the week I was there. Then as now I found the people both courteous and friendly.
My comment about the rain was a little 'tongue in cheek'. I visited southern Ireland in the early eighties, to watch the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and we had wall to wall sunshine virtually all the week I was there. Then as now I found the people both courteous and friendly.
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