Places of Interest - Ireland (Northern)

Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland. The name Belfast derives from the Irish "Béal Feirste", or mouth of the Farset, the river where the city was built around. Belfast is located at the mouth of the River Lagan on the Belfast Lough, which is in direct contact with the Irish Sea. Not so remarkable that Belfast once had a large shipbuilding industry - the Titanic was built here. The city is fairly new, although it nevertheless has a number of appealing buildings. Belfast is surrounded by hills. 

Most residents of West Belfast are Catholic. Some neighborhoods have a Catholic majority of as much as 90%. The city is still strongly divided by religion into segregated Protestant (Loyalist) and Catholic (Republican) neighborhoods. The majority of the neighborhood is recognizable by graffiti, paintings and flags at the entrances of the neighborhoods. To keep the population groups apart, the Belfast Wall has existed since 1969. In recent years, the old dry docks and ports have disappeared from the cityscene and have been replaced by new urban projects with new investments. Famous singers like "Van Morrisson" and "Gary Moore" come from Belfast as well as football player "George Best". "Belfast child" from the Simple Minds, a big hit from 1989, is about the division and gloom in the city of Belfast.

The region where Belfast is located has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and remains of Iron Age forts can still be observed. At the mouth of the river was in 1177 for the first time a castle built by John de Courcy. His castle, and the adjacent settlement, were destroyed 20 years later, and the region came under the management of the O'Neill family. Early in the 17th century, Belfast became a place where the English and Scots settled, according to the plan of Sir Arthur Chichester, to colonize the area. This resulted in a rebellion of the indigenous population in 1641. Later, Belfast attracted many Huguenots (French Protestants), who set up a widespread linen industry. More settlers were attracted and industries such as tobacco and shipbuilding flourished. In fact Belfast was actually the only city in Ireland that was part of the Industrial Revolution. Belfast also became the center of Irish Protestantism. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city almost surmounted Dublin, although WWI would change this again.

The city has two airports, George Best Belfast City Airport, on the outskirts of the city at Holywood, and Belfast International Airport, near Lough Neagh. The big train station is "Belfast Central Station" (east of the city center) where all trains (including Dublin) leave. For trains to, among others, Larne and Derry you can (also) go to the "Great Victoria Station" which is next to the large ("Europa Bus Center"). Belfast has two bus stations. The most important is "Europa

Bus Center" (right behind the Europe hotel). The second station is located near the river and is called "Laganside Bus Center" - here buses go to the "Antrim" region. Finally, boats from different companies (Stena Lina, P & O etc.) depart from Belfast to Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, England and for example France.

Belfast - Liverpool (boat): "Stena Line" boats leave to Liverpool from Belfast in the morning and evening. Price is £ 20 (excluding £ 5 for the use of credit card). The boat departs from Victoria Terminal (port No. 4) at 10:30 and arrives at Liverpool at 6:30 PM. With bus 96 you can reach the right terminal every 30 minutes from "Upper Queen Street" (near "Donegal Square") - cost £ 2. You must be present at the dock one hour in advance. Buses go every half hour - take the bus from 8:05 am and you are well in time. Ask the driver where to get out by reporting your destination. There are different bus stops for different destinations.

• Name: "Ulster" museum

Address: Stranmillis Road

Price: free

Time: 10:00 - 17:00

Website: www.ulstermuseum.org.uk

Content:

This museum is located in the Botanical gardens in the south of the city near the Queen's University ("Queens university"). The museum is divided into several floors where nature, history and art form the main part. Beautiful skeletons of extinct animal species, treasures from the Spanish Armada ship "Girona" (found at the "Giant's Causeway") and a real mummy from ancient Egypt.

• Name: "Thompson Pumphouse" museum

Address: Thompson Graving Dock

Price: 6 pounds

Website: www.titanicsdock.com / www.titanicquarter.com

Content:

This only icon that still stands from the time that the Titanic was built can now be viewed on your own occasion. The pump house is located at the very end of the harbor and gives a view of the "Stena Line" harbor (Victoria) on the other side. In the pump house you will see the original pistons and hydraulic machines that allow the Titanic in the original dry dock (which is located next to it) to be filled and drained by steam. You get to see two films about the time of the Titanic before you can walk in the gigantic big dry dock - here you can only really see how big these monster ships have been.

One of the nicest pubs in the south of the center of Belast is "Lavery's". The building has different floors that play different styles of music. There will be a mixed audience of young and old, student and businessman and local and tourist. But you should definitely walk in at "Crown Liquor Saloon" - probably the most beautiful pub in Belfast and perhaps (Northern) Ireland. Inside and out, this is a "Gregorian" beauty with a beautifully decorated wooden ceiling and small romantic boxes where you can drink something with friends. Other occasions are "Maggie's May's" near "Ulster Museum" and the "American bar" near the ports where many American soldiers were hanging around during the war.

• Name: "Paddy's Palace Belfast"

Address: Lisburn Road 68

Price: 10 pounds (dormitory 6 persons)

Phone nr. : 9033 3367

Website: www.paddyspalace.com

Content:

This chain of hostels has for example a hostel in Dublin and Belfast and is located in the south of the center of Belfast within walking distance. There are different types of rooms including dormitories. These rooms actually a decent makeover as well as the reception and the rest too. Many things do not work (showers, toilets and also things in the kitchen) and the breakfast is scanty (but free) and also starts much too late (08:00) so people often miss it. Also many guests waiting early in the morning waiting in the hallway waiting for it. There is a reasonable large kitchen and a lobby with a TV. WIFI is also present but does not work everywhere if it’s working at all. You get a key so you can enter the street next to it without knocking on the frontdoor every time.

If you want (like many other tourists do) you can book a "black taxi tour". This will take you with a guide alias driver to

the Protestant and Catholic neighborhood to show you the most important wall paintings and to catch up on the history of "the Troubles". You can also do the tour by foot - there would be a brochure at the information desk with the most important wall paintings and explanations. When I visited Belfast the brochures weren’t there and wouldn’t be there for weeks. You can view the most important murals on the website www.belfast-murals.co.uk (including explanations).