Fill your heart with Northern Ireland: a weekend in Belfast
In partnership with Tourism Ireland
Earlier this year, in August, with many hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and visitor attractions finally reopened I went to Northern Ireland to mark the season of a new and exciting beginning for tourism in this country. The tourism industry in Northern Ireland has been working hard to adapt to the new normal and is adopting the "Good to Go" policy which presents certified evidence that a business has adhered to government guidelines and are safe to re-open.
They are happy to be welcoming visitors back to experience all Northern Ireland has to offer. From walking in the spectacular Mourne Mountains, experiencing the breath-taking loughs of Fermanagh or surfing on the wild waves of the north coast, Northern Ireland has an abundance of fantastic experiences. On this occasion however I decided to explore the capital - Belfast.
A birthplace of Titanic
First things first, Belfast is most famous as a birthplace of Titanic and I had to spend my first night in the Titanic Hotel. located in the former White Lines offices it kept all the unique interiors of that era and was recently lovingly renovated. The gorgeous dining room in the former planning room where Titanic was conceived is simply stunning.
The hotel overlooks to the Titanic Experience (first image of this post). Constructed at the cost of £97million and opened in 2012, Titanic Belfast tells the full story of the famous ocean liner. The iconic building (shaped like the bows of a ship) comprises of 9 galleries over 4 floors. Titanic Belfast transports the visitor through time: travelling from Edwardian ‘Boomtown Belfast’ (learning about the lives of the workers who built the ship and the lives of the passengers and crew who made the fateful voyage) to the present day with live streaming from where the wreck lies at rest on the ocean floor.
From there you can walk to Titanic Quarter - Titanic’s Dock & Pump House. The Thompson Graving dock is the physical imprint of the Olympic Class ocean liners. Inside the dock’s pump-house, the engineering achievement of the Edwardian age is almost perfectly preserved. The massive pumps and gargantuan hydraulic accumulator evoke a period of ingenuity and innovation.
Exploring Northern Irish cuisine
McHugh’s Bar (29-31 Queen's Square, Belfast BT1 3FG)
This bar dates back to 1711 making it the oldest surviving building in Belfast. Here we tried traditional Northern Irish Boxty - potato pancake with a meat topping, delicious!
Belfast Food Tour (book it here)
Some people call Belfast a new foodie capital of the UK, so I had to take this famous food tour to explore taste of the city . The award winning Belfast Food Tour takes you on a 4-hour fun and food filled guided walk to some top food and drink spots around Belfast City Centre. We started in the historic St George’s Market, meeting producers, then visited The Garrick - traditional pub, serving local beers and ciders, popped in to Sawers - a must visit deli - and finished in the lively Cathedral Quarter, eating and drinking over 25 of some of the best local food and drink along the way.
Bread Making Experience at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen
Next morning we headed just outside of Belfast to spend a fantastic morning at Tracey’s Farm. Tracey welcomed us to her cosy kitchen and we learned how to make some traditional Irish breads. Soda bread was amazing! After the workshop we sat down for some tea and Tracey’s delicious cake. Seriously, can’t recommend this experience more!
Grand Central Hotel
For the last night we’ve checked it to the Grand Central Hotel. As some describe Grand Central - It’s more than a hotel. It’s an ode to a city. Standing tall in Bedford Street, this impressive jewel fuses glamour and grandeur with a uniquely Belfast spirit. Perfectly placed in the up and coming Linen Quarter, the hotel is a spectacular hub for exploring Cathedral Quarter’s charming cobbled streets, pubs and eateries. Have a bath with the best views of the city or take a lift to the top floor bar and treat yourself to a cocktail (or two).
Seedhead Arts Walking Tour
Like Berlin and Bethlehem famous for their walls, Belfast has become a place where Street Art has flourished, where artists from around the world have come to paint. Devised and led by the local street artists who have driven the scene in the last few years we were taken to the most hidden alleys of Belfast to discover some amazing pieces. Must do when in the city!
A few other must visit places
The Crown (46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA)
Dating back to the 1880s, The Crown is a gem of the Victorian era. Formerly known as The Liquor Saloon in Great Victoria Street it was lovingly restored and kept the original stunning interiors.
The Garrick (29 Chichester St, Belfast BT1 4JB)
Recommended to us by a local taxi driver as the best pub in Belfast, it didn’t disappoint. Cosy traditional interiors haven’t change since 1870.
James Street (19–21 James Street South, Belfast, BT2 7GA)
James St. is the coming together of two of Belfast's best restaurants, James Street South Restaurant and The Bar and Grill at James St. Classic dishes are firmly established on the menu from the crab and chilli linguine, terrines, steaks and fruit de mer plates.
