BELFAST of Belfast in Your Pocket
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Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps Enjoy your COMPLIMENTARY COPY BELFAST of Belfast In Your Pocket “In Your Pocket: a cheeky, well-written series of guide- books.” New York Times October – November 2009 Belfast Festival at Queen’s It’s all eyes on the biggest show in town Hallowe’en screams Including Be afraid... be very afraid NORTHERN The mummy returns IRELAND The wraps are off as the Ulster HIGHLIGHTS & Museum reopens HIDDEN GEMS N°26 belfast.inyourpocket.com CONTENTS 3 Restaurants & Cafes 29 8;BLE?H Nightlife 39 FB7O;HI ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES Stags & Hens 46 IJK:?E Party ideas for the condemned J>;7JH; Contents What to see 47 Cells, sweets and CS Lewis presents Arriving & Basics 6 History 56 Ich bin ein, er, Belfaster? 9 You’ve got your Troubles... Help us. We’re nameless West Belfast & Shankill 58 Belfast’s Quarters 10 Scrawl on the Peace Wall There’s more than four. Snow White NI Highlights & Hidden Gems 60 Belfast Festival at Queen’s 11 Stunning views and stress-free tours and the All the city’s a stage Shopping 63 Culture & Events 13 Fine food, funky fashion and gorgeous gifts Seven Dwarfs Oh mummy... it’s Hallowe’en. Xo7bWdF<hWod Getting Around 67 FheZkY[Zm_j^a_dZf[hc_ii_ede\IjW][h_]^jYh[Wj_l[ Sport 18 Marathon, man Maps & Street Index City Centre 70-71 Titanic in Belfast 20 Greater Belfast & Street Index 72 The legend remembered in her home city Northern Ireland 73 Index 74 Where to stay 22 F[h\ehcWdY[iWj.$&&fc :[Y[cX[h('ij"((dZ()hZ(&&/ :[Y[cX[h(.j^"(/j^)&j^(&&/ @WdkWho'ij"(dZ"*j^"+j^",j^-j^".j^/j^(&'& CWj_d[[F[h\ehcWdY[iWj)$&&fc :[Y[cX[h(.j^)'ij(&&/ @WdkWho'ij"(dZ/j^(&'& J[b0/&*/'('&eh/&,*/.)+ I[WjiYWdX[h[i[hl[Z 7Zkbj0. 9edY[ii_ed0, Snow White AW.indd 1 16/9/09 11:18:38 belfast.inyourpocket.com October – November 2009 4 FOREWORD FOREWORD 5 The city’s gone all artsy this issue, which is why we’ve chosen a suitably abstract image as our cover star Europe In Your Pocket Save Money with the Good Card A Welcome from the Lord Mayor - see below for details, and feast your eyes on the Belfast Festival at Queen’s (p.11) for lots more info Welcome to Belfast. on this late-October box office bonanza. Whether a native, From stage to fright as the bewitching season newcomer or regular descends once again. This year’s Hallowe’en visitor, I hope you enjoy promises lots of scary stuff for all you pumpkinheads. our city and everything Belfast’s Monster Mash fireworks extravaganza is it has to offer. From back, while Derry and Newcastle get in on the eerie t h e b i r t h pl a c e o f act, too. Discover how All Souls Night originated Titanic to the stunning in Ireland at the Diwali and Samhain Celebration Hotels, tours, shops and other visitor-friendly busi- E d w a r d i a n a n d Festival. And jump aboard a ghost train with a ness across Belfast and NI are signing up to the Victorian architecture, difference. Be afraid... be very afraid from p.13. new Good Card discount loyalty scheme. The card beautifully landscaped From pumpkins to puds, the city prepares for the big costs £14.95 and can be purchased at Belfast parks and gardens to Christmas countdown. Find out all about the festive City Sightseeing Bus Tours, The Wickerman a year-round calendar lights switch-on and Continental Market on p.47. gift shop and the Belfast Welcome Centre. of cultural events, Meanwhile, our year-round Titanic In Belfast feature there is something to (p.20) reflects the attractions and tours associated And the great thing is that, unlike many other city experience, explore with this iconic ship. And NI Highlights & Hidden Gems card schemes, it can be used for up to one year and enjoy at every (p.60) does exactly what it says on the page. at participating businesses across the UK. Which turn. Back in the city, October sees the re-opening of two means you can buy it here and benefit from lots of iconic buildings following major revamps - Belfast City money-saving offers, then take it home and reap Beyond the city centre, Hall and the Ulster Museum (p.55). Enjoy these grand the same rewards. Lovely jubbly. the renaissance of Belfast’s vibrant communities dames in all their renewed glory. has also attracted a new generation of visitors. Finally, we need a name for Belfast folk. Whether For more info on this cost-cutting cutie tel. (+44) Take time to discover areas off the beaten path, native or newcomer, we’re calling on you to help us find (0)28 9046 3600 or visit www.goodcard.co.uk. and learn about our diverse history from the an appropriate moniker. Flick to p.9, click on belfast. Our team in Russia is preparing a rather special And look for the symbol throughout our print guide locals who are proud to call Belfast “home”. inyourpocket.com and do your worst. In Your Pocket guide right now to tie in with to see where it’s accepted. GC the 1150th aniversary of the city of Veliky Ours is a city steeped in history and it is my vision Novgorod. Look out for a special supplement to be First Citizen of a Belfast without barriers, Cover story in our next Russian guides and online at russia. where everyone - whatever their background - inyourpocket.com. Elsewhere, you can now get plays a full role in ensuring that we remain one of Seek out local artist Brian Connolly's "Seeing Device" your hands on Sarajevo In Your Pocket when the most popular destinations in Europe. at the Golden Thread Gallery visiting the Bosnian capital, and the same team as part of The Visual Force - who have successfully pocketed Slovenia and Worldwide Parcel Delivery Visitors are discovering a thriving cultural exhibition and Belfast Festival Bosnia - are now turning their attention to Italy, from Mail Boxes Etc. scene combined with a unique heritage, in a city at Queen's. The optical device and to Venice. transformed by astonishing levels of investment with two mirrors attached was originally installed by We welcome enquiries from anyone who would over the last few years. A city has emerged whose Connolly in the MACAM, Open like to take part in our Pocket Revolution, either by legacy and tradition lives on the stories, humour Air Museum in the North Italy contributing content or starting up an IYP. Send us and vibrant culture of its people. in 1994. an email at [email protected]. Contemporary and traditional hotels, cafes x Specialist packing and bars are designed to keep your days and Editorial Copyright notice x Compensation cover nights well catered for. And the city’s stylish Managing Editor Text copyright Belfast In Your Pocket shopping scene ensures you return home with Heidi McAlpin (+44) (0)28 9047 1328 2000-2009. Maps copyright Northern x Packaging materials ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES [email protected] Ireland Tourist Board. All rights reserved. that something special. No part of this publication may be x Web tracking Belfast Editor reproduced in any form, except brief Belfast In Your Pocket extracts for the purpose of review, without x Next day courier Use Belfast In Your Pocket to keep you on the [email protected] Andrea McVeigh written permission from the publisher and right track, so you leave with fond memories, new www.inyourpocket.com [email protected] copyright owner. The brand name In Your x Express Worldwide friends and a desire to return for more. Pocket is used under license from UAB ISSN 1747-0021 Advertising Director In Your Pocket (Vokieciu 10-15, Vilnius, © Belfast In Your Pocket Sinead Faulkner (+44) (0)28 9145 4050 Lithuania tel. (+370-5) 212 29 76). Enjoy your stay. [email protected] Published six times per year. Editor’s note Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr. Naomi Long 15000 copies per issue. Advertising Sales The editorial content of In Your Pocket Alan Groves (+44) (0)7917 010121 guides is independent from paid-for Next issue December-January [email protected] advertising. We welcome all readers’ 2009-2010 comments and suggestions. We have Layout & Design Sean Lynch made every effort to ensure the accuracy 47 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1JJ Ad design Rachel Sayers of the information at the time of going to Published by In Your Pocket Ltd. press and assume no responsibility for T: 02890 247888, F: 02890 246777 For all enquiries and comments changes and errors. E: [email protected], W: www.mbe.co.uk/belfast contact [email protected] ABC application approved www.inyourpocket.com September 2009 Belfast In Your Pocket belfast.inyourpocket.com belfast.inyourpocket.com October – November 2009 6 ARRIVING & BASICS ARRIVING & BASICS 7 Symbol key Belfast Weather Tourist Information Centres H Conference facilities R Internet 20 100 Belfast Welcome Centre C-2, 47 Donegall Place, Unique books from 18 90 tel. (+44) (0)28 9024 6609, www.gotobelfast.com. L F 16 80 Parking Fitness centre Open Mon-Sat 09:00 - 17:30, Sun 11:00 - 16:00. Info K Restaurant J City centre location 14 70 desks also at both airports. GC °C 12 60 (mm) ature ll D Sauna C Swimming pool r 10 50 Smyths Irish Linens C-1, 65-67 Royal Ave, tel. 8 40 Rainfa Tempe (+44) (0)28 9024 2232, tel. (+44) (0)28 9024 M Metro GC Good Card 6 30 2232.