NOTE: The author is
very aware that a similar guide could be written for most cities in the UK and
Ireland (even Edinburgh) and that Belfast had other things to worry about BUT
the post is about showing what we have lost and continue to lose even without the
help of the Luftwaffe or IRA.
Belfast – A Top Ten
Nine Eight Seven Six Things To See
So, you’ve just arrived in Belfast and on principle don’t
read Lonely Planet books (though it would be fitting as one of the co-founders
of LP is from Belfast).
So, what to do?
Well, read this guide for inspiration! (Note: It’s never
updated, we just ‘scratch out’ that which no longer applies).
1/ Pubs – Some of
Belfast’s bars go back centuries, tapping into a rich vein of socialising
history.
Watering holes of note include the following beauties:
 |
| The Crown: It ain’t a tour guide if you don’t mention The Crown…. |
The Rotterdam Bar:
Situated in a former deportation prison the Rotterdam offers a slice of history
that would be difficult to rival in any part of the planet.
Aether and Echo:
A Victorian drinking saloon where the fashions of yesteryear have been embraced
and reinvigorated.
The Sunflower: A
quirky newcomer to the stage, already this wee pub is punching above its weight
quite deservingly scooping ‘Pub of the Year’
NOTE: Get in while you still can, it’s in the firing line
for redevelopment plans for the area.
Kelly’s Cellars:
Another centuries old drinking haunt in the backstreets of Belfast providing
the public with music, Guinness and lashings of sawdust.
The Kitchen Bar:
A local favourite, the Kitchen bar has survived bombs from above and below to
become an integral part of the city centre’s drinking scene
The Lifeboat:
What it lacked in external beauty it makes-up for in internal character
So there you have it, no need to mention any more of
Belfast’s pubs because if you can do all of the above in one sitting then you might
want to consider the possibility that you have a problem….
2/ Theatres: Belfast
has a rich history of performing arts, here are a few to slake your arty
thirst:
The Grand Opera
House: Perhaps Belfast’s best known theatre, this old theatre is still
going strong.
The Empire
Theatre: The roll of honour for this warhorse of a theatre is too
much to mention here, simply go, you’ll not be disappointed
The Hippodrome:
Despite its proximity to the Grand Opera House the Hippodrome still has plenty
to offer those seeking their entertaining thrill
Theatre Royal:
With history stretching back to 1793 this theatre will have you feeling as if
you’re stepping into some bygone era.
3/ Ballrooms
The Floral Hall:
A jewel in the crown of Belfast’s ballrooms, its setting within the grounds of
the Zoo only serves to enhance this spectacular venue
The Plaza:
This haunt, very much favoured by the American GIs in WWII is flooded with
nostalgia
The Orpheus:
Located in the Co-op building, this Art Deco gem is a worthy addition to any
city and should be given consideration on the global stage
4/ Cinemas – The
people of Belfast enjoy a good movie as much as anyone and as such are serviced
by a great variety of movie theatres
The Strand: The mainstay
of Belfast’s many Art Deco movie theatres The Strand caters for modern movies in a nostalgic setting
The Capitol:
One of Belfast’s many Art Deco movie theatres, the Capitol enjoys a quiet
setting for those willing to make the journey away from town
Queen’s Film Theatre: This small independent theatre packs quite
the cinematic punch
The Classic
5/ Homes of Belfast’s
Big Names
For such a small city Belfast has a large number of
household names. Take a tour of some of the big-wigs
George Best’s house:
Still standing, Bestie’s East Belfast house is Mecca for fans of himself and
Man U.
Red Hall, CS
Lewis: Ulster’s physical connection to the special group of authors
that changed the face of English literature
Seamus Heaney’s
Belfast Home: How Blessed is Northern Ireland that it has more than
one shrine to one of its global literary icons?!
Ardrigh House,
home of Francis Bigger: A not so well known but nonetheless cultural
heavyweight, the world of Francis Bigger was a potential springboard into new
avenues of cultural enlightenment
6/ A Tour of
Belfast’s Art Deco Architecture:
Art Deco was seen as a rather illustrious
style of architecture given the timeframe that it inhabited and was exemplified
by Empire Exhibitions of the 1930’s. Truly this genre of architecture adds
great weight to any city lucky enough to have it amongst its cityscape.
 |
One of Royal Avenue’s many Art Deco gems |
The Orpheus:
As mentioned earlier, an architectural jewel in the crown
 |
| The quirky Art Deco ‘Elephants’ building |
The Metropole:
Though Belfast doesn’t boast many Art Deco buildings, what she has she holds
and furthermore cherishes, as is only right with beauties such as this.
Bank of Ireland:
An extraordinary Art Deco building
North St Arcade:
One of the last examples of a a curved Art Deco arcade in Europe, this unique
piece of architectural heritage demands respect, support and preservation
7/ Grand Hotels:
Treat yourself to a night or two of splendour in one of Belfast’s grand hotels
Grand Central
Hotel : Grand indeed, the GCH will cater for your every need in
perfect luxury.
The Belgravia:
A rival in every way for its London namesake.
8/ Eat: Belfast
is stuffed with eateries, here are a few.
Harry Hall’s Bistro,
Smithfield: The former bookshop now serves culinary treats as opposed to
literary ones.
The Hudson Bar,
Smithfield
Mourne Seafood Bar
9/ Stations:
Depart in style in Belfast and feast your eyes on the architectural delights
that are our main termini.
Great Northern
Station: A fine setting for a farewell, the Northern Station is
great in every sense of the word
York Road Station:
This station survived the ravages of WWII and is well worth the detour
10/ Architectural
Heritage: As a former engine room of the Empire, Belfast was bequeathed
with a rich tapestry of architecture, earning it the title ‘Athens of the
North’. Enjoy the building marvels as you meander around the city.
----------------------------------
The point is, most of the buildings listed above disappeared
thanks to people passively accepting the bidding of developers, town
planners and the fashions of re-development & urban planning (granted, the Luftwaffe and IRA didn’t help either).
This is still happening and even though people in general
aren’t happy about it they seldom protest against such acts.
If you want to see Belfast developed in a more sensitive
fashion then simply email the planning office and tell them your thoughts (they
don’t know if we don’t tell them): planning@belfastcity.gov.uk
If you’re super-miffed at the development plans for the area
around Smithfield & Union (i.e. large scale demolition as opposed to
restoration) then quote this ref no: LA04/2015/0577/O and tell then you object.
If you’re even MORE
jolly-well-super-miffed then email belfastrevival@gmail.com and they’ll
keep you abreast of matters and developments in the new year.
We don’t expect
everyone to agree on what should be done with the areas in question rather we
think it’s fair to assume that we can all agree on what should NOT be done with
the area e.g. taking a wrecking ball to everything that looks a bit old and
unloved (as is the plan for the area around Union St and Kent St http://northsideregeneration.org/northside-regeneration-project/the-area/ )
