Free BELFASt’S OFFICIAL CITY GUIDE SUMMER EDITION MAY–AUGUST 2015 TAKE A BITE CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN THE CITY FAMILY FUN it’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS THIS SUMMER SOUNDS OF THE CITY MUSIC FESTIVALS FILL THE AIR THIS AUGUST SHIPS AHOY! The Tall Ships are back in Belfast Summer in the City Welcome to the special summer edition of Visit Belfast! We have some great ideas on how to make the most of your visit this summer, from the best tours, outdoor activities and must see attractions to discovering our amazing food scene, cultural days out and the spectacular Tall Ships race. 22 Belfast on a Budget Tips for a day out that doesn’t IN THIS ISSUE cost a bundle! 25 Sounds of the City 04 Summer Events Enjoy some great outdoor The hottest events happening music festivals this August. Great Days Out – p14 this summer! Find out lots of 28 Take a Bite out great ways to while 06 All Aboard the Tall Ships of Belfast away the hours The Tall Ships return to Belfast. Give your tastebuds a treat with the kids over the summer, we’ve 10 Explore the City with our guide to the best something for every Take a tour to enjoy the city sights. places to eat in the city. tot-to-teenager! 14 Family Fun 32 Belfast Beer Gardens Belfast is a family friendly city Make the most of summer by geared up for all sorts of fun! sitting out enjoying Belfast’s 18 Brilliant Gardens coolest alfresco spots. Pack a picnic and enjoy one of 34 Belfast Plus our stunning parks and gardens. Discover what’s on offer in the Supping in the Sun 20 Outdoor Adventures areas surrounding our city. – p32 Pack a bit of adventure into Discover the best 41-44 Maps beer gardens in your trip with a range of fun Our handy fold-out map will Belfast this summer. outdoor activities on offer. help you get out and about. Front Cover; Tall Ships With thanks to our Corporate Partners Visit Belfast is the official Disclaimer negligence or other damage caused For editorial enquiries tourism marketing agency The information contained in this by the reliance on the information contact Jennifer Hempton for the Belfast Region Guide is given in good faith on the contained in this guide, or in Email: jenniferhempton Visit Belfast basis of the information submitted any company, individual or firm @visit-belfast.com 9 Donegall Square North to Visit Belfast and McCadden by mentioned, or in the event of any Belfast BT1 5GB the promoters of the venues and company, individual or firm ceasing facebook.com/ Northern Ireland services listed. Visit Belfast and to trade, is hereby excluded. visitbelfastcity Tel: +44 (0)28 9023 9026 © Visit Belfast 2015. McCadden cannot guarantee the twitter@visitbelfast Fax: +44 (0)28 9024 9026 accuracy of the information in this To advertise in Visit Belfast Email: [email protected] guide and accept no responsibility contact Sharon Hickie www.visit-belfast.com for any error or misrepresentation. Email: sharonhickie Designed by McCadden All liability, disappointment, @visit-belfast.com VISIT-BELFAST.COM 3 BELFAST BUCKET LIST MUST DO: Check out our guide to the hottest events not to be missed this summer in Belfast! SPORT 01 LITERATURE 04 Irish Open 2015 Belfast Book Festival 28 – 31 May 8 – 14 June Royal County Down Various Venues Golf Club An eclectic mix of local The world’s finest golfers, & international writers including N.I’s very own hosting readings, launches, Rory McIlroy will flock to workshops & more. Royal County Down as belfastbookfestival.com the club plays host to this Shoulder to shoulder Guinness Pro12 Final year’s exciting competition SPORT 05 for the first time. irishopen.ie Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia FESTIVAL 06 Northern Ireland SPORT 02 21 June The Tall Ships Races Various Venues 2 – 5 July Guinness PRO12 Final Following on from last Titanic Quarter 30 May year’s Giro d’Italia, cycling Returning to Belfast for the Kingspan Stadium enthusiasts have the third time, the Tall Ships will The Guinness PRO12 opportunity to cycle be welcomed by the Lidl culminates with a nail alongside previous Giro Belfast Titanic Maritime biting final, held at the champions. Festival. home of Ulster Rugby. granfondogiroditaliani.com tallshipsbelfast.com Enjoy the match build up in fan zones around the city. pro12rugby.com FESTIVAL 03 Belfast Photo Festival 4 – 30 June Various Venues The festival returns with an inspiring programme of special events & exhibitions including creating a DeLorean from photographs. belfastphotofestival.com 06 4 VISIT-BELFAST.COM 10 CULTURE 07 CULTURE 09 Orangefest August Féile 12 July 30 July – 9 August Belfast City Centre Various Venues The annual family friendly Ireland’s biggest celebrations are a community festival is back Van Morrison magnificent spectacle of with music, comedy, tours, Eastside Arts Festival tradition, colour & music talks, exhibitions & more. FESTIVAL 11 that can be enjoyed by all. feilebelfast.com belfastorangefest.com Eastside Arts Festival 19 – 31 August CELEBRATION 08 Various Venues Showcasing the talent from Belfast Pride the east of the city, this 24 July – 2 August year’s festival programme Various Venues includes Van Morrison - A 10 day celebration including Live from Cyprus Avenue debates, film, music & & Dancing Shoes – The drama, with a spectacular George Best Story. finale parade & party. Beats on the street eastsidearts.net belfastpride.com August Féile MUSIC 10 CULTURE 12 Summer Sounds Belfast Mela Various Dates in August 30 August Various Venues Botanic Gardens Belfast’s biggest music The Belfast Mela returns festivals, Belsonic & Tennent’s to Botanic Gardens for a Vital, return to fill the city multi-cultural celebration with the sounds of some of of music, dance, food & the biggest acts including visual arts. Calvin Harris, Stereophonics belfastmela.org.uk & Paloma Faith. belsonic.com 08 tennentsvital.com VISIT-BELFAST.COM 5 Sail Training International’s annual flagship event, The Tall Ships Races comes to Belfast from 2–5 July, welcomed by the Lidl Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival ALL ABOARD THE TALL SHIPS This is the third time that Cisne Branco (Brazil). and seafood market in Belfast has played host to There’s something for partnership with NI Good this global event, having everyone at the four day Food around the Titanic first welcomed the ships maritime festival from Plaza. in 1991 and more recently fairgrounds, musical Interactive archives, in 2009. performances, street tours, talks and other This year, the vessels theatre to fireworks, activities related to will dock along the harbour continental markets and shipyard industry will also from Queen’s Quay, beside international bars. The take place in the slipways. The Odyssey, to the Pollock festival sponsor, Lidl And the wonderful Titanic Dock area where the first will also be entertaining Drawing Offices and Tall Ships took place back visitors at their expo areas Thompson Pumphouse in 1991. and offering samples of and Dry Dock will welcome Over 50 vessels will some of their delicious patrons and relay the be gracing our shores, produce. city’s strong connections from the impressively During the event, to shipbuilding and its large Scandinavian visitors can explore maritime past. square riggers Statsraad Titanic Belfast and its Traditional 1900s Lehmkuhl, Sorlandet and sister attraction, the trades like rope making Christian Radich to the SS Nomadic. There will and linen weaving will be vibrant South American be a full programme of showcased and for the naval ships including activities in the Titanic more adventurous visitors, Guayas (Ecuador) and Quarter including a street there will be archery and 6 VISIT-BELFAST.COM THE TALL SHIPS RACES The sights and sounds of The Tall Ships Races tug of war competitions with ships. Explore some of these Segway NI. amazing vessels and find FESTIVAL Additional markets and out more about Belfast’s rich live entertainment will fill the maritime heritage! OPENING popular Custom House Square On the final day, you TIMES and Belfast City Hall will also can witness the amazing Thursday 2 July get in on the maritime act with spectacle as the ships leave 12 noon – 9pm marine-themed movies on Belfast or view the spectacle Friday 3 July the big screen and maritime- from vantage points along 12 noon – 9pm focused City Hall tours. These the coastline including Saturday 4 July events will be connected to Cultra, Jordanstown or 10am – 10.30pm Belfast Harbour via a special Carrickfergus. Or why not take Sunday 5 July Tall Ships free shuttle service your binoculars up to Cave 10am – 4pm close to the Belfast Welcome Hill for a birds-eye view of the For more info, Centre run by Visit Belfast. proceedings? call Visit Belfast The event’s broadcast Whether you’re a past tall Welcome Centre media partner, BBC Northern ships visitor keen to relive 028 9024 6609 Ireland will bring live coverage those magical moments, or Facebook @ from the festival as well as an you just want to experience tallshipsbelfast interactive zone. this unique event for the first Twitter @ And of course, there will time, come along on the tallships2015 be an opportunity to visit 2-5 July. Make memories #tallshipsbelfast the stars of the show - the this summer! tallshipsbelfast.com VISIT-BELFAST.COM 7 BELFAST BUCKET LIST MUST SEE: Check out our bucket list for the must see places you don’t want to miss on any visit to Belfast and beyond. HISTY OR 01 TOUR 03 Titanic Quarter Belfast City Hall Discover the birthplace Enjoy a free public tour of RMS Titanic from of Belfast’s most iconic construction to her launch building (1906).