Page 248 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

246 BACK ROADS IRELAND

1 Belfast
Co Antrim
A bustling trading port in the 18th and 19th centuries, Belfast has a
rich heritage. The city built and launched the RMS Titanic in 1912,
making it a global centre for ship-building; it is also famous for its
linen and tobacco industries. However, the Troubles, from the 1960s
to the 1990s, led to decline. Regeneration projects in the wake of
the peace process have helped the economy recover and there is
a buzz about the city, especially in the arty Cathedral Quarter,
Queen’s Quarter (around Queen’s University) and the Gaeltacht
Quarter, which promotes Irish language and culture.
Two-hour walking tour
Above The Big Fish sculpture on Belfast’s Start at City Hall on Donegall
regenerated waterfront Square 1, a classical masterpiece
completed in 1906. Take a look inside
at the palatial marbled entrance.
VISITING BELFAST
From the north side of the square
Parking walk along Donegall Place and
There are several car parks close to City continue before turning right into
Hall, including Bedford Street, Dublin Castle Lane, taking one of the narrow
Road and Great Victoria Street, and “Entries” to join High Street. Turn right
metered parking around Ulster Hall. here to see Albert Clock 2, a curious
Tourist Information tower, built in 1867 as a memorial to
Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Prince Albert. Turn left along Victoria Above Political mural, West Belfast, the frontline
Square North, BT1 5AD; 028 9024 6609;
www.visitbelfast.com; open Sun Street, left into Waring Street and of the sectarian conflict known as the Troubles
11am–4pm; Jun–Sep: Mon–Sat right into Donegall Street to reach
9am–7pm; Oct–May 9am–5:30pm. the period Cathedral Quarter and public entry limited during services
St Anne’s Cathedral 3 (open Mon–Fri; on Sun). Work began in 1899 on
St Anne’s, which contains
WHERE TO STAY some beautiful mosaics
St Anne's
Cathedral of St Patrick. From the
BELFAST DONEGALL ST DONEGALL QUAY cathedral, turn left at Royal
Ten Square moderate WARING STREET Avenue, then right into
Boutique luxury hotel with 23 stylish ROYAL AVENUE Castle Street and left into
bedrooms and a superb, central H I G H S T R E E T Albert
Clock
location on Donegall Square. CASTLE STREET THE Fountain Street. At No. 52
10 Donegall Square South, BT1 5JD; PLACE CASTLE ENTRIES is Belfast’s oldest library –
028 9024 1001; www.tensquare.co.uk Linen Hall DONEGALL LANE VICTORIA ST the Linen Hall Library 4
Library CHICHESTER ST
Malmaison moderate–expensive Donegall (open Mon–Sat), with
Funky and stylish hotel in an old seed SQUARE COLLEGE Square MAY S TR EE T superb archives on Irish
warehouse. Period features mix with HOWARD ST history and culture. Walk
contemporary decor. Grand STREET BEDFORD along Wellington Place,
Opera
34–8 Victoria St, BT1 3GH; 028 9022 House AL FRED ST RE E T
0200; www.malmaison.com Crown Bar turn left at the end onto
College Square and
The Merchant Hotel expensive continue along Great
Set in a historic listed building in G R E AT V I C T O R I A S T
the Cathedral Quarter, and elegantly D U B L I N R O A D OR M E AU AV E Victoria Street. On the right
decorated with antiques. is the Grand Opera House
35–9 Waring St, BT1 2DY; 028 9023 5, a handsome building
4888; www.themerchanthotel.com SHAFTESBURY dating from 1895. No. 46
SQUARE
AROUND THE ULSTER FOLK AND BOTANIC AVENUE O R M E A U R O A D Lagan is Belfast’s most famous
TRANSPORT MUSEUM L I S B U R N R O A D pub – the Crown Bar 6 –
The Old Inn moderate U N I V E R S I T Y R O A D U N I V E R S I T Y S T R E E T with its fabulous high
Charming hotel that offers an old- Victorian interior. Continue
fashioned welcome with open fires UNIVERSITY to University Road and the
SQUARE
and beamed ceilings. Queen's COLLEGE PARK AVENUE University Quarter around
University
15 Main Street, Crawfordsburn, BT19 prestigious Queen’s
1JH (15 km/9 miles after the Ulster Folk Botanic 0 metres 500
Ulster
Museum on the A2, turn left on B20, Museum Gardens University 7, founded in
signposted Crawfordsburn); 028 9185 0 yards 500 1845. The Visitor Centre
3255; www.theoldinn.com (www.qub.ac.uk; 028 9097
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £100; moderate, £100–£200; expensive, over £200
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