Things to do in Belfast
With such a long and chequered history, it will come as no surprise to visitors that the wealth of Belfast's sights are historical. The city has been at the heart of the Troubles over the years, but still offers a wonderful variety of things to do for travellers.
For a real insight into the city's history, a visit to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is a must. This attraction demonstrates the historical traditions of the people of northern Ireland and the exhibit includes a number of properties furnished in the style of traditional Northern Irish homes, mils and schools.
One of the most famous landmarks in Belfast is its castle. This grand mansion-esque property sits overlooking the main city, 400 feet above sea level atop the slopes of Cave Hill. There is a long history behind Belfast Castle, which was first established by the Normans in the 12th century, although for many years it was the home of the Marquis of Donegall, after the original structure had been burned down. Today's austere stately looking structure reflects the fact that it was the home of the ruling class for many centuries, but that is no longer the case. The beautiful castle has been transformed inside into a series of function rooms, with a restaurant offering marvellous cuisine. However, while it is still open for private functions, it is also available to the public, meaning visitors can enjoy the beauty of the castle's interior.
Another renowned sight in Belfast remains the huge cathedral. Consecrated in 1904, this Hiberno-Romanesque building is littered with mosaics and sculptures created by some of the finest local artists of the time. Sir Charles Nicholson designed the mosaics which now cover much of the floor, while Rosamund Praegar and Maurice Harding contributed the majority of sculptures.
The cathedral is also home to the largest Celtic cross in Ireland and also contains numerous mosaics and stained-glass windows carrying Celtic themes. With so many wonderful works of art in this cathedral, it is well worth a visit and quite unlike most churches you will find in Ulster.
Visitors to Belfast may find themselves getting lost in the city's Ulster Museum. With a wide variety of artifacts and exhibits, this museum deserves at least a day to fully explore it. It contains a number of archaeological finds, as well as providing a deep insight into the region's history and heritage. The museum has won awards for its Early Ireland gallery and Made in Belfast exhibit, while its captivating Treasures of the Armada feature is full of items retrieved from the Spanish galleass Girona.
The impressive Belfast City Hall is also worth a visit. Although it is the seat of local power – the city council still carries out its work here – visitors are able to take tours around the wonderful Classical Renaissance building. The tours of this fine example of Edwardian construction demonstrate that the building is even more opulent than it appears from outside, with an ornate dome, grand staircase and plush chamber, furnished in oak.
A tour of the River Lagan can offer a nice piece of relaxation amid a visit of hard sightseeing – put your feet up and enjoy the views of Belfast from the boat, while some trips offer the chance to learn about the river's history and its links to the Titanic.
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Things to do
