Belfast Local Information: 10 top things to know... more
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1. History of Belfast
The name Belfast comes from the Gaelic 'Beal Feirste', meaning 'mouth of the sandy ford'. In the 17th century Belfast was a busy port for wool, grain and food. Linen was exported from the city in the early 19th century and White Linen Hall was built in 1788 – Belfast City Hall now stands on this site. The boom in this industry led to a boom in the shipbuilding industry. Most ...Read more
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2. Now in Belfast
The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 brought new investment into the city and helped to reinvent it as a modern, vibrant hub. Belfast is still growing and developing and now has a population of more than 268,000. It has become a popular tourist destination. The modern buildings of Belfast Waterfront Hall and Odyssey Arena sit alongside the historic Victorian buildings like the Gra...Read more
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3. Events in Belfast
The Gaslight Sessions is a free music event that takes place on the first Wednesday of every month in the Spaniard Bar in Skipper Street. Different acts appear at this event. The Annual Decadence Vintage Bridal Fair takes place in the city every year and attracts brides and vintage lovers from all over Ireland. The Belfast Book Festival is an annual week-long event to celebrate...Read more
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4. Attractions in Belfast
The Ulster Museum has dinosaurs, an Egyptian Mummy and modern masterpieces among its exhibits, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum shows life as it was 100 years ago through recreated cottages, farms, schools and shops. Belfast Zoo has around 1,200 animals and 140 species including elephants, bears, birds, giraffes and lions. W5 is a science and discovery centre which aims to ...Read more
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5. Things To Do in Belfast
Titanic Walking Tours and Titanic Boat Tours are some of the ways you can find out about this famous ship. Traditional Irish music is played every night in many of the city’s pubs and venues. Greyhound racing takes place at the Drumbo Park Stadium on a regular basis. The Late Night Art Bus Tour gives visitors a chance to check out some late night art at a range of galleries i...Read more
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6. Business in Belfast
Markets are a big part of life in Ireland and among the list of markets of offer in Belfast is The Black Market, a craft market that takes place on the first Sunday of every month in Hill Street, in the Cathedral Quarter. This attracts people from all over the world. The Fashion Souk is a fair-fashion market held every month in the Europa Hotel. Over 60 stalls appear at the eve...Read more
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7. Transport in Belfast
There are two airports serving the city, Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport. Ferry services run to Belfast Port and Larne Harbour from Stranraer, Troon and Cairnryan in Scotland, Fleetwood and Birkenhead (Liverpool) in England and Douglas in The Isle of Man. Belfast Central Station and Great Victoria Street Bus and Train Station are the city’s ...Read more
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8. Entertainment in Belfast
The main venues for music, theatre and comedy in Belfast are the Grand Opera House, the Waterfront Hall Conference and Concert Centre, the Old Museum and Arts Centre, Kings Hall, Odyssey Arena and Ulster Hall.Other venues for live music include the Empire Music Hall, Laverys Bar, The Black Box and Spring and Airbrake.
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9. Famous Landmarks in Belfast
Belfast City Hall, in Donegall Square, is a huge Victorian building with a giant dome and carved stone statues.Belfast Castle was built in the 1860s and is a popular tourist attraction and wedding venue.
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10. Interesting Facts about Belfast
Belfast City Council spends £60,000 a year removing chewing gum from the streets. This means an average piece of chewing gum in the city costs three pence to buy but ten pence to clear up.
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Raven Clinic: Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Belfast, Northern Ireland Begin your drug or alcohol rehabilitation at an inpatient rehab in Belfast. Acces...
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Belfast Blog
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Strangford sighting for humpback whale
A humpback whale has been spotted in Northern Irish waters for the third consecutive year. It is only the fourth ever validated humpback sighting in Northern Irish waters and happened at Strangford Narrows in Co Down. Whale experts...
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£18m Belfast arts centre opens
After ten years of planning, Belfast’s new Metropolitan Arts Centre has opened. The MAC, in the heart of Belfast, will be a 21st century building that will compete with other arts centre on a global stage. The building features cutting-edge...
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Designer delighted by Titanic work
Alan Grimason, an award winning Belfast designer has retired on a high after his already famous shiny cladding was added to the walls of the Titanic building. His cladding covers the multi-million pound visitor attraction that is shaping up to become an...
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Lyric birthday celebration includes Seamus Heaney
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