Belfast, Cork or Galway for a weekend away.

[Lastqueenofscotland2]

Looking to get a weekend away booked in next year.

I’ve a lot of family in the south east of Ireland hence why I have excluded that corner as would like to go and explore somewhere new with DP for a weekend.

Which of the above would be best for a weekend of good food, nice pubs (not a boozy weekend, more sitting over a pint or two for a few hours), an interesting museum or two and nice to walk around?

For a weekend Belfast and Cork have their own airports - Galway doesnt - Knock or Shannon would be closest. Galway great for a weekend, compact buzzy on the sea - a few good restaurants but very relaxing as you could stay in the middle of town and just laze..
Cork similarly - again good places to eat.
Belfast - probably most like UK cities ie currency and overall look and feel, except for the obvious differences ie I would still mind where I go there.

Belfast , go for one of the bus tours , they are interesting and funny. Obviously you have all the Titanic stuff and game of thrones , but also a lot of interesting things like Crumlin Road gaol , Ulster Museum to more than fill a weekend.
lots of great and cheap places to eat around Queens University etc. Go to St George's Market for a slap up breakfast with produce from the market , and on a balcony over looking it.
Northern Ireland countryside is beautiful and lots to see within reasonable travelling distance from Belfast eg you can get a minibus to Giants Causeway.

Southern Ireland is expensive to stay , and eat . Northern Ireland far more budget conscious.

Thanks both. I did have a question about Belfast which makes me sound very ignorant… I’ve not been since I went to look round the university about 8million years ago, and obviously the situation was very different then and it’s much safer now.
Ive read slightly mixed things about how easy it is to run into trouble. If we were just having a potter round some of the areas out of the city centre and looking at some murals etc… how likely are we to attract bother

Not at all. I've been many times, and our grown children have English accents and have lived , worked and played in Belfast for years with no problems.

There are organised tours to look at the murals , taxi, walking and bus. But just as there are places in London, Manchester,Liverpool you would be more wary , so in Belfast but crime rates in NI are far lower than in rest of U.K.

Here's the crime rates https://crimerate.co.uk/#:~:text=Explore%20crime%20rates,in%20your%20area&text=The%20crime%20rate%20in%20the,83.77%20crimes%20per%201%2C000%20people.

I'd go to Galway, take a day trip to the Aran Islands. Cross your fingers for good weather though.

I've only been to Belfast out of those options. I'd say that if you don't go this time then have it on your list to visit next time. I was there last year and really enjoyed it. Going back next year.