Belfast

Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste, meaning "the sandy ford at the river mouth") is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom, and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills and has a population of 278,000 (2001). However the population of the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area which incorporates the surrounding suburbs and towns is almost 700,000.

Understand

Although Belfast took the brunt of The Troubles (the popular name given to the bitter campaign of violence between Irish Republicans to end the union with Great Britain and achieve a united Ireland, and Loyalists who sought to remain part of the United Kingdom), since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 most of the politically motivated violence has evaporated. Belfast was recently awarded the accolade of safest city in the UK based on a comparison of nation-wide crime figures, and as part of its commitment to maintain peace, now seeks tourism from all around the world, especially from countries other than the Irish Republic and the rest of the UK.

Those who live in Belfast tend to either absolutely love the city or detest it. Although the outsider's perspective tends to be more forgiving as Belfast was voted the fourth best city in the UK for a city break in the Guardian/Observer travel awards. Needless to say, a visit to Belfast will be rewarded by a glimpse of a unique city that has finally begun to celebrate, rather than fight over, its place as a cultural meeting-point of Britain and Ireland. Belfast is certainly exhibiting an air of determined optimism, with new hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and shops opening at an incredible rate. It is a city that is proud of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage and efforts to restore historic buildings are proving successful. Tourism is on the increase in Northern Ireland, especially among those seeking a weekend away or short break in Ireland as Belfast can offer a significantly cheaper and more rewarding alternative to the busier, more expensive and more tourist-driven Dublin.

Belfast remains a great place to explore as it is still relatively undiscovered compared to our neighbors in Dublin and is ideal for the tourist that enjoys a city with character yet still has a raw, unspoilt energy. A visit to the capital of Northern Ireland will provide a more stimulating trip as, once you scratch the surface, it is easy to see beyond the ethno-political conflict of years gone by. It is a city which has changed dramatically in a decade due to this peace and prosperity and you will be greeted with warmth from locals who feel a new-found sense of pride in their city. Indeed, the old cliche that you will be welcomed like an old friend by the patrons of Belfast's many pubs and bars is actually true, as the locals love to find out what draws you to their little part of the world and of course they like the chance to share a little bit of their history with you! Ask any local and they will tell you that a trip to Belfast will mean that you learn far more about the British and Irish psyche than a trip to a cheesy Irish pub in Dublin or on a tourist-swindling tour in London.