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Northern Ireland:Layout 1 02/05/2007 15:28 Page 223
CO. ANTRIM a much-deserved Renaissance. Its accolade of “Best City Break
Rathlin
Island
N
Portrush
County Antrim is situated to the north Destination in Europe” at the Evening Herald Travel Awards and more
Ballycastle
Bushmills east of the Province, with Belfast, recent accolade as ‘Best Place To Be Young’ by the Observer
Cushendall
Ireland’s second largest city and the magazine, is testament to the changing face of this dynamic city.
capital of Northern Ireland as its Situated on the point where the lovely River Lagan empties into
Glenarm
DERRY
principal settlement. The nearby town Belfast Lough, the hills and glens of Antrim rise to the north and west
Ballymena
Larne
of Lisburn was recently granted city and offer an amazing range of outdoor activities. Belfast itself is an
Carrickfergus
Antrim status, alongside Newry in County accessible place, described as ‘a walkable city, built on a human scale’.
Lough
Down. Antrim’s coastal roads pass by With many pedestrian precincts, it holds wonderfully preserved examples
Neagh BELFAST
TYRONE
the Glens of Antrim, an incredibly of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, all of which are
Lisburn
ARMAGH DOWN
scenic region formed by nine valleys dominated by the domed City Hall.
that stretch from the cliffs of Fair For a wide range of products, amble through St. George’s Market where
Head to Carrickfergus. To the north is a spread of coastal resorts, the stalls sell everything from herring to designer clothes and collectibles.
which includes Ballintoy, home of the famous Carrick-a-rede rope Belfast’s Irish name, Beal Feirste, means ‘the mouth of the sandy ford’. It
bridge. It’s in this area that you’ll find the spectacular basalt refers to an ancient crossing on the River Farset, the location of much of
formations of the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. County Antrim the city’s early history. First mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters
borders on Lough Neagh, the largest lake in northern Europe, and in 665 AD, Belfast’s development as a town dates back to 1177 when a
offshore to the north is tiny Rathlin Island, just 22km from the Mull of castle was built on what is now the area between Donegall Place and
Kintyre in Scotland. For the ultimate shopping experience visit Belfast, Cornmarket. Belfast received its first charter from King James I in 1613
Ballymena or Lisburn. For further information on Co. Antrim and the at a time when the city consisted of little more than 120 houses.
whole of Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com. Now a thriving city, Belfast has a wealth of cathedrals, historic
buildings, museums and galleries. Contact the Belfast Welcome
Quality in Parking
Centre at Donegall Place, tel: (028) 9024 6609 for further details or
Fáilte Ireland at 53 Castle Street, tel: (028) 9032 7888. If planning
your visit from Dublin, drop into the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at
Belfast: 16 Nassau Street, tel (RoI only): 1850 230 230.
Belfast City Hall located at Donegall Square is an impressive 1906
Belfast International
Airport
Portland stone-clad building in the Classical Renaissance style. Before
+44 (028) 9448 4851 the venue finally moved to Stormont Castle, the first meeting of the
Northern Ireland parliament was held here in 1921. Free tours operate
For pre-booking
+44 (0870) 0134781
year round, which include the Council Chamber. Tel: (028) 9027 0456.
Crown Liquor Saloon, located at 46 Great Victoria Street is a
www.q-park.ie
splendid emporium, established with typical Victorian extravagance in
1885 by one Patrick Flanagan. Inside, the décor includes cut glass,
marble and mahogany, a huge bar and rows of ornate snugs. It’s a
good idea to get there early to avoid the rush. Belfast’s famous Grand
Opera House, situated just opposite the Crown, has been completely
Northern Ireland Telephone Codes: The dialling code for the whole refurbished inside and out, and now together with the Odyssey Arena
of Northern Ireland will be 028 when resident within Northern and the Waterfront Hall it offers entertainment lovers a vast choice of
Ireland or the UK and all codes are presented as such here. If you operas, concerts, musicals and plays. See local press for listings.
are dialling from the Republic of Ireland, replace the code 028 Queen’s University is about 1km south of Donegall Square and is
with 048, or 0044 if calling a mobile phone. Remember to drop Northern Ireland’s premier university with over 8,000 students
the 0 of the mobile phone when adding the 0044 code. responsible for the lively atmosphere around campus. The central plan
of the main campus echoes that of Magdelene College Oxford and it’s
BELFAST worth strolling through the Quadrangle to see the fine Old Library. The
After he visited Belfast in 1999, the writer Auberon Waugh proclaimed Visitor’s Centre, located in the Quadrangle, sells general memorabilia.
that its people were ‘...the most honest, cheerful, friendly and well- You can practically spend all day at the Ulster Museum and Botanic
mannered... in the British Isles’. Unexpectedly vibrant with a beautiful Gardens as it houses everything from displays of archaeology, science
surrounding countryside, Northern Ireland’s capital city is experiencing and history to fine art exhibits. Belfast Zoo is a real mountain zoo
Belfast at night
northern ireland 223
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