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AIBU?

To ask for your hints and tips re: Belfast

114 replies

HildaZelda · 31/10/2018 21:56

So, DH has holidays which he's now been told he has to take before Xmas or lose them. I work part time so can juggle days a bit.

Anyway, DH was talking about going away somewhere for 3 or 4 days, Because it's only a few days, it can't be that far so we looked at short flights and can do Belfast pretty cheaply for a few days next month.
Neither of us have ever been there before, so before we book anything can I ask if anyone has been, what's it like, is it worth going, hints/tips for what to see and do please?

OP posts:
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beanaseireann · 05/11/2018 00:34

Bus tour is brilliant.
The Crown bar - it's a National Trust pub

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ChooChooBeanz · 05/11/2018 00:17

To be fair I have experienced various anti Irish sentiments when I’ve been in England - I don’t tar a whole country with the same brush

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ChooChooBeanz · 05/11/2018 00:12

Do wee toastys tours, a cycling pub, it’s great craic

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peachgreen · 05/11/2018 00:05

@Prefer Again - I'm English in NI and I've never experienced any anti-English sentiment. So you must have been particularly unlucky. I highly doubt it would happen again.

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Prefer · 04/11/2018 23:20

But it wasn’t just regular rudeness freckle believe me it was definitely bigotry! Encountering one bigot during a day trip I would brush off - but three in one day? We felt like pariahs, it was a really unpleasant experience and not one I wish to repeat.

When I said it was “inevitable given the history” I actually meant that genuinely - I do understand why people would behave that way when brought up in those conditions. I can actually understand it, I just don’t want to bear the brunt of it personally.

Like I said it was a shame as I heard great things about Belfast, but it’s just not somewhere I’ll be visiting again.

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frecklemcspeckles · 04/11/2018 20:13

I’m guessing we were just unfortunate to have encountered some bigots but it was a really uncomfortable experience and I swore I’d never go back. It was a shame but given the history it was inevitable I guess.

Really... Given the history it was inevitable you guess??!!!!

Your one day trip to a city where you encounter a small handful of rude people (which you could get anywhere in the world) and you've decided it's bigotry towards you and "inevitable".

That's quite a depressing conclusion. And pretty unpleasant and unnecessary sweeping generalisation.

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Bluelady · 04/11/2018 12:47

I can't believe the prolific use of "wee", I like vet it almost as much as the wonderful accent. For the record, nobody has ever been rude to me in the numerous times I've visited Belfast in the last 20 years.

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Sowhatifidosnore · 04/11/2018 11:48

Be warned OP, people can't help but talk to you so just go with it! I brought a couple of English friends over and they were a bit taken aback by the 'nosey' locals blabbing away to them and asking where they were from and giving them tourist tips, all in the 5 minutes it took me to get the drinks in from the bar...
oh and people get the word 'wee' into a sentence more than you would think humanly possible... 'pop your wee card in the wee machine. Put your wee pin in. Do you need your wee receipt? Take a wee seat and I'll bring your drinks over in a wee minute when they're ready.' was a recent Guinness buying exchange I had.

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UnderMajorDomoMinor · 04/11/2018 11:07

Just been to Belfast and I absolutely loved it. Will definitely be returning. Had young kids with so didn’t do so much of the history but there is still masses to do.

Have breakfast at Avoca. It was so good. Blueberry and macadamia pancakes. Bliss.

We walked all over: botanical gardens, tropical ravine, ulster museum, titanic quarter, cathedral quarter.

Hire a car and go to the giants causeway, Bally castle (ice cream from morellis - wow) and dark back via the amazing dark hedges.

The people were so friendly too. I’ve often not really understood when people say the locals are friendly but in Belfast people, inc teenagers, are so fast to help and have a little chat.

Torino cafe has fab coffee and an amazing photo display of kids and life during the 80s and 90s really hits you how recent the troubles are and how we must do everything we can to protect peace there.

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bigbluebus · 02/11/2018 16:03

I love the NI accent. I could listen to people talking with it all day.

My DS was at Queens for a year. He loved the city but sadly hated the course and dropped out so I only got to visit Belfast once - but loved it.

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peachgreen · 02/11/2018 15:04

@reforder What kind of bigotry are you referring to? Anti-English? I'm English and besides some gentle ribbing from my in-laws about me being posh, I've never encountered any anti-English sentiment from either side of the community.

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treaclesoda · 02/11/2018 10:50

Why would you jump to 'bigotry' when someone is rude to you? People are rude all over the world and people are lovely all over the world. I've had plenty of rudeness in England when I've visited but it doesn't mean that England is a rude place, if you know what I mean.

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Yokohamajojo · 02/11/2018 10:22

Some stunning countryside just outside Belfast as well! If you fancy a day trip go to Newcastle and have a wonder on the beach! Murlough bay is stunningly beautiful.

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reforder · 02/11/2018 09:16

Ive only been to Belfast once on a day trip and I thought it was a nice place but I must have been unlucky because I found some of the people very rude.

A taxi driver was very passive aggressive and took us through areas I’m guessing he thought we’d be uncomfortable with based on our accents, pointing out specific sites to try to get a reaction. A bus driver was incredibly rude to my lovely, elderly grandmother and staff at a restaurant were also really rude! I was so disappointed as I had heard great things about Belfast.

I’m guessing we were just unfortunate to have encountered some bigots but it was a really uncomfortable experience and I swore I’d never go back. It was a shame but given the history it was inevitable I guess.

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VetOnCall · 02/11/2018 01:53

I'm homesick now too... I don't know Belfast all that well but I'm from the north coast and it's well worth a visit. The Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and lots of nice little independent shops and cafes in Portrush and Portstewart. The Ramore restaurant complex in Portrush is a must-do, the food is fantastic, unbelievable value for money, and the desserts have to be seen to be believed. There are 5 restaurants in the same complex at the harbour, all owned by the same people and all great, so you can take your pick - Harbour Bistro/Bar, Ramore, Mermaid, Neptune & Prawn and Tourist. I'm hungry just thinking about it! They don't take bookings, you just turn up and wait for a table.

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Monty27 · 02/11/2018 01:29

Yews are making me wile homesick talking about the trip. Derry and Donegal. Beautiful. And four days would never be enough.
Do wrap up warm.
Navel gazing Blush

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HildaZelda · 02/11/2018 00:22

I'm loving the sound of all these cocktails that are being mentioned Grin

A few people have said about going to Dublin too, but I've been there a few times before.
I have been in Ireland quite a bit, but usually right down the other end as I have family in Cork and Kerry and will be in Kerry next year for a wedding.
I absolutely love Kerry. I think it's beautiful, but I've never been in Belfast so just thought it might be nice for a change.

I've got loads of great advice. Thanks everyone :)

OP posts:
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MadeinBelfast · 01/11/2018 22:03

@treaclesoda Shock I was hoping to do one of the tours as my Christmas present, I'd better get booking!

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apintofharpandapacketofdates · 01/11/2018 21:44

This is a fab thread!
We are a friendly bunch for definite... Bullitt Hotel comes with a definite recommendation from me. Queens Arcade has a gorgeous jewellers called Lauren May if you like slightly different pieces. Also pretty affordable.
Sawers on College Street is a fab deli that sells the best sandwiches & fab local produce. Its just off one of the main city centre thoroughfares, Donegall Place

Do come OP.... we need people to be loud and proud in their admiration of our great city!!

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HuglessDuglas · 01/11/2018 21:43

Another native and can’t recom the place highly enough
Son much to see and do and eat and drink and eat some more!
To make sure you get the very best of it all
Check out
Groupon Belfast has lots of deals on tours and restaurants and indoor skydiving down at the titanic qtr if that’s your thing
Living social Belfast also has tour deals and offers and afternoon teas

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peachgreen · 01/11/2018 21:25

@FlaviaAlbia Totally agree about the Ramore, amazing food and such good value! I've never been that impressed with Bushmills Inn for food (love the bars though, spent the evening before my wedding upstairs in the residents' bar with all my nearest and dearest and it was a dream) - prefer Tartine at the Distiller's Arms. The North Coast in general is just full of amazing food, beaches and people. Three Kings is my new fave.

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peachgreen · 01/11/2018 21:21

@shutlingsloe Kaffe O is my work local and the coffee is AMAZING!

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DwangelaForever · 01/11/2018 21:15

If you're here on Tuesday St. George's market gave a twilight market on at nighttime!

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Youcouldbemysilversprings · 01/11/2018 21:08

Fuck off to the person slabbering about our accent!
Can I recommend the The Flint for accommodation, it's just beside Flame restaurant and down from Deanes and it's just amazing!
I would also like to recommend Zen which is japanese and does the most AMAZING cocktails!! The food is beautiful too. I live about 40 mins from Belfast and me and DH book a night there every so often, we love going and staying and soaking it all in, it feels very safe even walking about in the wee hours.
There is a bar up the Dublin road called 5 points which is lovely, great atmosphere and they do traditional sessions as far as I know, but our favourite is the northern whig, great atmosphere and a more mature crowd for us 30 somethings.
Have fun OP, the bus tour is brilliant I love doing it!

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treaclesoda · 01/11/2018 20:56

A colleague tried to book a food tour recently and was told the next available date was in March next year Shock

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