A Guide to the Best of Belfast

Cathedral Quarter

An upbeat area of Belfast City, The Cathedral Quarter is home to cobbled streets, lively bars, contemporary restaurants and street art around every corner. Taking its name from St. Anne’s Cathedral on Donegall Street, within the district you’ll find The Mac, an art space with regular exhibitions, art installations, theatre performances and other events in the realm of visual art, music and dance. For fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones, one of the beautifully-designed Game of Thrones doors lives in The Dark Horse on Hill Street. The doors came about after a storm took down a Beech tree at a Game of Thrones filming site – The Dark Hedges. Following this, ten intricately-designed doors were made and are stationed in various places around Ireland’s Causeway Coast. A short walk brings you to the nearby Market Quarter, where you’ll find the Victorian-era St George’s Market, the perfect place to get local artisan crafts.  

Gaeltacht Quarter

The Gaeltacht Quarter region of Belfast is one of Ireland’s largest urban Gaeltacht areas – meaning the traditional Irish language is spoken widely here. It is found along the famous Falls Road and surrounding areas of West Belfast. With fewer tourists here than in the city centre, take the opportunity to visit places like An Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, an arts and cultural hub dedicated to promoting the Irish language and culture. If you would like to further immerse yourself in the Irish language while visiting, check out one of their many classes, workshops, music sessions, or drop into their book and gift shop, An Ceathrú Póilí. Nearby is the Shaw’s Road Gaeltacht, established in 1969 when five Irish speaking families built homes in close proximity to one another, they are known locally as “The Irish Houses.” 

Titanic Quarter

Once known as the Queen’s Island, the Titanic Quarter is a vibrant modern outdoor space with a variety of educational and entertainment facilities to explore. Situated along the River Lagan in the former docks district (at one time headquarters to the famous H&W or Harland and Wolff shipping company, the shipbuilders of the RMS Titanic), you’ll learn all you need to know about the doomed Belfast-born liner, the Titanic, at the Titanic Experience Belfast visitor attraction. Walk in the footsteps of those who worked tirelessly to put together the famous ship along the Slipways. Two of the stunning stained glass Game of Thrones windows can be found in this district, you’ll have to come and see where for yourself! The windows stand in tribute to the Titanic Studios, which was the main studio and post-production facility for all eight seasons of the critically-acclaimed Game of Thrones series.

Queens Quarter

In the leafy suburb of South Belfast is Queen’s Quarter, named after the second-highest ranking university in Ireland, the beautiful red-brick campus of Queen’s University. Meandering through the Victorian grounds, you’ll feel like you’re walking through Harry Potter’s Hogwarts! Nearby is the expansive Botanic Gardens and its Victorian-era Palm House, a gorgeous location for a picnic or stroll when the weather is playing ball. Next door is the multifaceted Ulster Museum, home to everything from dinosaurs to Spanish gold and even an Egyptian mummy. Queen’s Quarter, perfectly placed on the outskirts of the city hustle and bustle, is a lovely place for a casual afternoon wander and wonderful change of pace. We recommend taking the scenic Golden Mile from Belfast City Hall to the Queen’s Quarter so you can stop en route for some shopping or a bite to eat. 

Belfast has a lot of notable peace walls but this is the most well known Peace Wall in the city – a memorable stop on the famous Black Cab Tours.

Black Cab Tour

If you want to learn about Belfast’s recent history, take a Black Cab tour as early in your visit to Belfast as possible. You’ll be provided with a hugely informative and unbiased account of Belfast’s troubled past and can choose from a variety of sites to see or leave it completely up to your driver to guide you. From the building of the Albert Clock to the Political Murals and Peace Lines, there’s so much to see and learn, and a Black Cab tour will provide the perfect backdrop to your stay.

The Entries

This series of historic narrow alleyways in Belfast’s City Centre date back to the 16th century and give us an insight into the city’s earliest commercial developments. The most most notable – still in existence today – are Pottinger’s Entry, Joy’s Entry, Crown Entry, Winecellar Entry and Castle Arcade. Down each alleyway, you will be able to glimpse into the oldest parts of Belfast – for example, White’s Tavern in Winecellar Entry was founded in 1630. Each entry can credit its name to an influential character for their role in connecting different areas together. Joy’s Entry takes its name from the Joy family – Francis Joy, founder of the Belfast News Letter and his grandson Henry Joy McCracken, Irish republican and industrialist. It was in the Crown Entry, within Peggy Barclay’s Tavern, that rebels Wolfe Tone, Henry Joy McCracken and a group of others first met on October 14th 1791, later founding the United Irishmen.

Turas

The East Belfast Mission are making waves by delving into their Gaelic past, offering classes in Irish and one-of-a-kind bus tours – The Conn O’Neill Bus Tour and the Gaelic Bus Tour of East Belfast. With a skilled local tour guide, you will visit the ancient lands that were once ruled by the last Gaelic Lord of Belfast, Conn O’Neill. You also have the opportunity to uncover the lesser known Gaelic history of East Belfast, focusing on the place-names and notable Irish speakers from the area in times gone by. Turas operates from the Skainos Centre on the Newtownards Road and are within walking distance of CS Lewis Square, named in honour of the Belfast-born fantasy writer.

St George’s Market

Dating back to the Victorian era (much like Queen’s University and the Botanic Gardens’ Palm House), St George’s Market is a fantastic food and crafts market in downtown Belfast. Established in 1896 and the only surviving Victorian market in Belfast, today it is home to many local craftsmen who continue to sell their wares. Here you can buy things like fresh fruit & veg, or grab lunch from one of the numerous food stalls boasting a variety of homemade local & global dishes.

Fibber Magees

Another one of Belfast’s long established pubs, you’re guaranteed folk and traditional Irish music 7 nights a week, right in the heart of the City Centre and within walking distance from Great Victoria Street bus station. The interior of the pub is dripping in pieces of memorabilia and locals will surely have tales to share with you. You’d be mad to miss out on a session here.

The John Hewitt

The John Hewitt is a relatively recent addition to the Belfast pub scene, since 1999. It is located in the Cathedral Quarter and named after Belfast native, poet, historian and political activist – John Hewitt. Seven nights of the week there will be music filling the air here and a roaring turf fire will keep you warm as you sip your pint.

The Dirty Onion

Another resident bar in the Cathedral Quarter, this “happening” new set-up is another spot for music seven nights a week. They have an amazing partnership with An Droichead, an Irish music school, meaning they offer the best of local Irish talent. You’ll also find a more contemporary live bands here playing to late by the fireside. They have a impressive Beer Garden, so this one’s a great spot when the sun makes an appearance. It’s also a dog-friendly pub!

McHugh’s Bar

A great one for established musicians to show their skills, McHugh’s also welcome those who are learning by offering practice sessions on Sundays from 2pm-4pm. If you happen to be learning an instrument, drop in for a pint and a session with some fine musicians. McHughs can be found directly across from Custom House Square so you’re within walking distance of The Lagan Weir, Belfast Docks, Albert’s Clock and two famous sculptures – the Salmon of Knowledge & The Beacon of Hope (affectionately known locally as Nuala with the Hula).

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