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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to start a what's great about Belfast thread

105 replies

isthatapugunicorn · 05/08/2019 17:55

in response to the other one decrying this beautiful city as a 'stinking hole'??

I'll go first:

it's a really lovely, easy to get around city. Hills on one side, lough on the other - gorgeous

people - they can't help but talk to you. Super friendly.Like really, really friendly.

Food - from the food at St George's Market to Deanes, Molly's Yard to Coppi, Made in Belfast to Boojums. There's seriously good food, reasonably priced and lots of locally sourced ingredients.

The craic, and the music, and the craic - You can go to a bar that's near 500 years old (Whites Tavern) or the one's that are a mere 100/200 years old all within walking distance of each other. You can see live music, hang out with the locals, and enjoy the fact our standard measures are larger! The Sunflower, The Spaniard, Laverty's, - classics. Perch, Muriels, new and fabulous.

Titanic Museum - Titianic Studios - GOT - the entire quarter - all brill.

W5 - awesome science experience.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Putyourdamnshoeson · 05/08/2019 23:17

The food.

Yabbers · 05/08/2019 23:23

The traffic-takes hardly any time to get anywhere!

Well, except when Pride is on (we got stuck at the weekend)

And in from International Airport on a Monday morning 😆

Yabbers · 05/08/2019 23:23

The traffic-takes hardly any time to get anywhere!

Well, except when Pride is on (we got stuck at the weekend)

And in from International Airport on a Monday morning 😆

AnBaileiMoChroi · 05/08/2019 23:39

There's always something to do! I moved here from London (I'm from here though), and thought there'd be fuck all. Our weekends are busier now than they ever were, because the things to do aren't huge treks across the city, to packed places, to being rinsed by corporately sponsored events.

It's surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside and sea.

Lunasa, Jumon, the John Hewitt. Am oddly fond of Smithfield too.

The total lack of pretention. How unelitist it is. The openness of the arts scene to newcomers and the sense of a city wanting to try new things. The uniqueness of our something painful identity.

The sense of humour here, partly because of that painful identity.

The fecking bakeries. I've gained a stone due to the availability of amazing bread. I live near the Cregagh and there's some out of this world bakeries on that road. As well as lovely little oddities like Piccolo Parma with its cannolis and dog shows.

There's always music in town.

Cycling up the towpath at dusk, the starlings mummurations, the stillness of the river. The general uncrowdedness of the place that gives you space to breathe.

The Cultúrlann. And over in East Belfast, free Irish classes by Linda Ervine. Which is amazing in itself. I'm from a Republican background but considering picking up Irish again there.

TheCraicDealer · 05/08/2019 23:43

John Long's on Athol Street.

Best fish and chips in the world, bar none

I pay for a parking space at John Long's for work. There's nothing like walking to the car at 5pm on a rainy Tuesday night, smelling the chips and wondering why you started that godforsaken diet.

AnBaileiMoChroi · 05/08/2019 23:43

Oh and look up Food Adventures Belfast on Instagram! They're taking a break over the summer but they host international food nights in the Mornington Community Centre on the Ormeau. The guy who runs it is a dote and all profits are shared. It's how I get my fix of jollof rice here.

irnbruxtra · 05/08/2019 23:55

Place marking!

Off to Belfast with the girls later this year so will be using this thread for tips :)

irnbruxtra · 05/08/2019 23:55

Place marking!

Off to Belfast with the girls later this year so will be using this thread for tips :)

irnbruxtra · 05/08/2019 23:55

Place marking!

Off to Belfast with the girls later this year so will be using this thread for tips :)

irnbruxtra · 05/08/2019 23:56

Sorry! Message said it didn't send so just kept tappin' 😂

IncyWincyGrownUp · 06/08/2019 00:01

I’ve travelled all over the show for hockey, nowhere has been as friendly as a Giants game at the Odyssey.

AnBaileiMoChroi · 06/08/2019 00:07

Oh and we have Festival of Fools!

Original poster
isthatapugunicorn · 06/08/2019 07:58

No Alibis book shop and their Noireland lit festival, and the film festival

OP posts:
Jebuschristchocolatebar · 06/08/2019 08:07

It has the best Christmas food market every year. The food scene in Belfast and surrounding areas is brilliant with some amazing restaurants. Ulster museum is brilliant, botanic gardens are lovely. All cities have their good and bad points. I may be bias because my family are from there but I think it’s a really cool place. I live in Dublin and you could make the same statement about it being a dirty shit hole. Parts of the city centre are just that. Doesn’t mean the whole place is a write off.

Original poster
isthatapugunicorn · 06/08/2019 08:10

There’s always a wee 5km or 10km on somewhere if you’re into running, and they’re scenic as they go round the city or Stormont. Most are family friendly too and very forgiving on the slower ( chubbier, me!) runners too...

OP posts:
isabellerossignol · 06/08/2019 08:35

I think part of the reason Belfast is so welcoming to visitors is because people are genuinely delighted that visitors are interested enough to visit. If you're older than about 40 you'll be old enough to remember the times when travelling elsewhere in the UK meant you were often met with suspicion, condescension or outright hostility. To see how public attitudes have changed and we are now seen as warm and welcoming instead of violent and stupid is a wonderful thing. And long may it continue.

kidsdoingmyheadin · 06/08/2019 08:47

I went back to Belfast recently as a “tourist” as only ever visited family in the past. It’s changed a lot & I found the people very friendly & welcoming & felt very safe. Food was very good too.

OtraCosaMariposa · 06/08/2019 09:04

Have they still got the pretend Tesco in the w5? My kids spent hours in there. Literally. Brilliant place.

ginyogarepeat · 06/08/2019 09:05

Yes they do, @OtraCosaMariposa Smile

Has anyone mentioned QFT yet - best cinema!!

ginyogarepeat · 06/08/2019 09:05

Yes they do, @OtraCosaMariposa Smile

Has anyone mentioned QFT yet - best cinema!!

Original poster
isthatapugunicorn · 06/08/2019 11:00

Otra - it’s a Spar! But yes they do... and the big water bit... love it... I have to drag the kids out of there to go to the cool physics bit...

OP posts:
Original poster
isthatapugunicorn · 06/08/2019 11:08

I remember the days when the only ‘tourists’ were actually people visiting family. And the odd Spaniard...

OP posts:
Halloumimuffin · 06/08/2019 11:12

Went for a long weekend and the food AND bars were amazing. You mention Coppi - loved that place. Intense place with a LOT of history and a lot more interesting that cookie cutter picturesque places like York that everyone raves about but bore me to tears.

TweezerMay · 06/08/2019 13:13

Thanks @isabellerossignol!

I love a good Christmas market too. I wonder if I can squeeze in a Christmas visit 🤔

ginyogarepeat · 06/08/2019 13:27

That's the one thing I would disagree on - the Christmas market. Can't stand the crowds and think it's very overpriced for very average food. St George's market does it better every week!
Nice atmosphere at it though.