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Belfast

Belfast

State

United Kingdom

Country

Northern Ireland

Continent

Europe

Size

133 KM2

Population

635,000

Spending Budget

$138 - $865

Famous For

  • Belfast Zoo
  • Belfast Botanical Garden
  • Belfast Titanic
  • Grand Opera House
  • Parliament Buildings

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • September
  • October

History

The site of Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze Age. The Giant's Ring, a 5,000-year-old henge, is located near the city, and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Belfast remained a small settlement of little importance during the Middle Ages. Belfast became a substantial settlement in the 17th century after being established as an English town by Sir Arthur Chichester. As it grew with the port, and with textile manufacture, the English element was overwhelmed by the influx of Scottish Presbyterians. As "Dissenters" from the established Church of Ireland communion, the Presbyterians were conscious of sharing, if only in part, the disabilities of Ireland's largely dispossessed Roman Catholic majority. When, in the American War of Independence, Belfast Lough was raided by the privateer, John Paul Jones, the townspeople assembled their Volunteer militia. This emboldened a spirit of radical disaffection. Further enthused by the French Revolution, the Volunteers and townspeople rallied in support of Catholic emancipation and "a more equal representation of the people" in the Irish Parliament. Rapid industrial growth in the nineteenth century drew in landless Catholics from outlying rural and western districts, most settling to the west of the town. The plentiful supply of cheap labor helped attract the English and Scottish capital to Belfast. Famine had also experienced large-scale Irish Catholic immigration. Belfast became the capital of the six counties remaining as Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. Belfast was heavily bombed during World War II. Initial raids were a surprise as the city was believed to be outside of the range of German bomber planes. In one raid, in 1941, German bombers killed around one thousand people and left tens of thousands homeless. Apart from London, this was the greatest loss of life in a night raid during the Blitz. Belfast was granted borough status by James VI and me in 1613 and official city status by Queen Victoria in 1888. Since 1973 it has been a local government district under local administration by Belfast City Council. Belfast is represented in both the British House of Commons and in the Northern Ireland Assembly. For elections to the European Parliament, Belfast was within the Northern Ireland constituency.

Present Day

The city is the shopping, retail, educational, commercial, entertainment, and service center for Northern Ireland and the seat of many of its largest businesses and hospitals. Educational institutions in Belfast include Queen’s University at Belfast (founded in 1845 as the Queen’s College), the University of Ulster at Belfast (1849), and Union Theological College (1853). Tourist attractions include the Grand Opera House, Donegall Square, Crown Liquor Saloon, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast Zoo, and Titanic Belfast, a museum inaugurated in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the famous ship. Buildings and walls throughout the city are adorned with murals that reflect the city’s social, cultural, and political traditions and history. From the city’s airport at Aldergrove, 13 miles (21 km) northwest, services are maintained with some principal international cities. Belfast is Northern Ireland’s chief port, and there are ferry services to Liverpool in England, Stranraer in Scotland, and Douglas on the Isle of Man. Belfast city center has undergone expansion and regeneration since the late 1990s, notably around Victoria Square. In late 2018, it was announced that Belfast would undergo a £500 million urban regeneration project known as "Tribeca" on a large city-center site. However, tensions and civil disturbances still occur despite the 1998 peace agreement, including sectarian riots and paramilitary attacks. Belfast and the Causeway Coast have together named the best place to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

Future

Undoubtedly one of the new developments underway that can make Belfast the best city in Ireland is the construction of the city's new Transport Hub in Great Victoria Street. The plans will renovate the Europa Bus Centre to the tune of £200 million with 26 bus stands and 8 railway platforms. The city center is one of the most important places in Northern Ireland. The city center will play a pivotal role in the growth of Belfast and the entire region and the potential opportunities for investment that exist. This will boost employment Population; Increase the Residential Population; Manage the Retail Offer; Maximise the Tourism Opportunity; Create Regional Learning and Innovation Centres; Create a Green, Walkable, Cyclable Centre; Connect to the City Around, and shared space and social impact.
Must Visit Places ------------

Hillsborough Castle gardens

Built within the 1770s, Belfast’s HillsboroughCastle is the official house of the Royal Family, whenever they are touring NorthernIreland, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland lives here yr round. Visitors can explore 40 hectares of gardens and get a guided excursion of the citadel to look at the stylish State Rooms, the swish DrawingRoom, or even the regal Throne Room.

Belfast Cathedral

Belfast’s cathedral turned into constructed in stages at the beginning of the 20th century on the website online of the antique St Anne’s parish churchgoing lower back to 1776. It is one of Belfast’s most luxurious buildings with stunning stained glass windows, excellent mosaics, and delightful Romanesque arches. Visitors can also see the Titanic Pall, a beautiful cross, devoted to folks who sank with the Titanic in 1912.

Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall Belfast’s classical Renaissance-fashion CityHall become a built-in fine, white Portland stone in 1906. In the center of the city, this stunning Edwardian civic constructing offers unfastened public tours led by using an experienced guide. Take an excursion around the superbly decorated interior and find out about its records or walk within the gardens to discover the Titanic memorial, some cute artwork work, and exquisite statues.

Belfast Zoo

Belfast Zoological Gardens is placed in a relatively secluded vicinity on the north-eastern slope of Cavehill, overlooking Belfast’s AntrimRoad, ensuing in uniquely tranquil surroundings for the animals. There are extra than 130 one-of-a-kind species in the Park, alongside favorites like giraffes, zebras, tigers, lions, and Asian elephants. The zoo has a list of feedings and talks and a place where youngsters can feed and befriend Shetland ponies, Tamworth pigs, miniature donkeys, and African pygmy goats.

Belfast Botanical Gardens

These intricate public gardens were established in 1828 through the Belfast Botanical and Horticultural Society, in response to the general hobby in horticulture and botany. The 28-acre public park centers at the 19th-century Palm House that are a magnificent cast-iron and glass production with a birdcage dome. The website online carries many unique tree species and incredible plant collections, especially from the Southern Hemisphere.

Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall is another government building that should be visited. Located in the city center, this handsome structure was built in 1906 and remains one of the most distinctive landmarks in Belfast's downtown core. Tourists are welcome to explore the building as part of a guided tour, so popular that they've become one of the top free things to do in Belfast (tours are available on a first-come, first served basis, so allow plenty of time in your schedule). Highlights of these one-hour tours include seeing a good-sized art display and historic stained-glass windows and an exhibit outlining the city's history. Afterwards, you can browse the gift shop or visit the café.

St. George's Market

No Belfast itinerary is complete without allocating time to do a little shopping, especially if it includes St. George's Market. The oldest covered market in the city, St. George's Market was completed in 1896 and now provides a place to do business for some 300 vendors selling everything from food to art and crafts. It has also become an important venue for activities other than shopping, including food festivals, art shows, dancing, and even pop and rock concerts. In addition to its regular market hours, there are a number of special events such as the frequent "Twilight Market," popular for its extended evening hours and entertainment.

Stormont, The parliament buildings

No visit to Belfast, or indeed Northern Ireland, would be complete without at least seeing this grandiose and often controversial building. This is the home of the "Power Sharing Executive," or Northern Ireland Assembly, the place where former foes sit down together and carry out the day-to-day business and politics of running the state. Dating from 1921, it was built to house the then newly formed government of the Province. It's impossible to miss the statue of Unionist Sir Edward Carson on the front lawn. Despite its controversial legacy, the scenic grounds are popular with day-trippers, joggers, and those simply wishing to escape the city for a while. The building is open weekdays for tours.

Titanic Belfast

The antique Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast stocks is where the world's most famous ocean liner was assembled. The head, slip-manner in which the Titanic was constructed, is now occupied with the aid of slicing facet museum with bold design. Titanic Belfast is a multimedia extravaganza that uses a multi-sensory era to send you to lower back to Belfast inside the 1910s when the titanic was assembled and launched. We get to see cabins onboard recreations, analyze fascinating data approximately the vessel, or even revel in afternoon tea in a pastime of the famous grand staircase from the ship. Visitors can explore this iconic six-floor building and its nine interactive galleries, taking you through the stories, sights, sounds, and even smells of Titanic.

Grand Opera House

West of the City Hall on Great Victoria Street, the highly ornate Grand Opera House is well worth visiting to take in a show. Dating from 1895, it has seen its share of troubles over the years. In 1972, at the height of the conflict in Northern Ireland, the building was sold to property developers and nearly demolished. Thankfully, due to a campaign, this didn't happen. Between 1976 and 1980, the structure was extensively restored, including the restoration of the ceiling panels in the main auditorium. A large extension was added in 2006. These days it hosts musicals, operas, and live performances and is one of the city's true landmarks.