"Orlikins Goes to Belfast, aye." a Belfast Travel Page by orlikins

Went up to see Suzanne_M in Belfast & of course do some Xmas shopping! That was my first trip to Belfast.

I always meant to go to Belfast some time but there was always some reason why I could not do it. It's only 2.5 hours north of Dublin so for me, that means it's faster to go to Belfast than to go to Limerick to see my family.... that's what you get for living on the other side of the frigging island, I suppose!

Now that Suzanne_M (who was also a neighbour in Dublin) has moved to Belfast, it was the kick I needed to get up and go forth up North.

Visiting Belfast was always one of things on my Travel "to-do" list, ever since I moved to Dublin but for some reason or other, it never happened.

Belfast itself is a small compact city and the city centre is safe. Quite elegant in parts in fact - the University area being a prime example. South Belfast is a nice and respectable area. West Belfast is where the notorious Falls and Shankill roads are, just take care when you go into that part of town.

Shopping is very good in Belfast and it is now really worth your while to come up North from the Republic to get the same consumer goods for less. Shopping rocks in Belfast, especially with the opening of the Retail Outlet 20 miles away called Junction One.

I got my laser eye surgery done up in Belfast and I'm so glad I made that decision because if I wanted to do in Dublin, I would still be waiting for the op now and pay double the price as well!!

Royal Ave is the main shopping thouroughfare in Belfast. You certainly will not get bored around here! There are lots of street musicians playing at the weekends around here.

We went back up to Belfast in March 2004 for a VT Belfast meeting - woo-hoo! with Gabsblack, Oneonta_Ni, Chelley, Brian and of course the one and only Suzanne_M :) and of course anyone else that I may have left out! Loads of things planned, we did the bus tour of Belfast - very funny, informative, highly recommended!