"now 5, and counting..." Belfast by iaint

Belfast Travel Guide: 1,056 reviews and 2,273 photos

meaning?

I've been 5 times now.

Only stayed overnight first time. I was asked to speak at a seminar at the Kings Halls, and couldn't think of any reason not to...

This was well before the Good Friday agreement in 1998 (probably 1995), but I assume it must have been a relatively peaceful time, or I would have found an excuse not to go.

verdict?

City Hall, Donegall Sq, me...rain

Definitely glad I went. By then the troubles had been in the news almost constantly for 25 years. It was fascinating to see what the place was really like.

As you drive through the middle class suburbs (where my hotel was and where the seminar was held), you could be in Manchester or Birmingham.

The inner city was a different story. I took the wrong exit off the motorway on the way into the city centre after the seminar, and the surroundings looked a bit scary.

2nd + 3rd + 4th + 5th trips

philosophy on the end of a building...

Went back twice in 2008. First was just an overnight trip, this time because my son was playing ice hockey there.

Fascinating to see the changes over 13 years.

I had yet another "overnighter" a month later, but I just stayed the night en route to Dublin.

I was back to see more of the city in 09, and to see some of the other places - Giant's Causeway - stuff like that.

In 2013 it was another ice hockey trip.

Pros and Cons

Pros:the present
Cons:the recent past
In a nutshell:go see!

Last visit to Belfast: Jan 2013
Intro Updated Jan 27, 2013
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Reviews (23)

Laganside Things to Do (3)

The Lagan is the river which meets the sea in the middle of the city. The part which is right in the city centre... more travel advice

Airport Express Transportation (6)

I used the Airport Express bus service to get from City Airport to downtown Belfast (bus 600A or 600B). A bus was... more travel advice

George Best Airport Transportation (6)

Or Belfast City Airport. For those who don’t know the name, George was the best football (soccer) player to emerge from... more travel advice

FlyBe Transportation (6)

I’ve used FlyBe a few times for other destinations, but this weekend was my first for their Belfast service. I booked... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All ice hockey
Restaurants (5)
See All Michelin *

Hotels (5)
See All Good value
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Hertz car hire

Comments (2)

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planxty Jan 28, 2013 at 6:09 AM

Glad you enjoyed the city I was born in. Things have certainly changed a lot since I was growing up there in the 70's. fergy
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  iaint Jan 28, 2013 at 9:33 AM
  
  Yes, it's always good to visit. Iain
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bonio Jun 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM

Thanks for the tips Iain, visiting this weekend.