ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES
Europe’s leading publisher of locally produced city
guides
Free Download
Features
British Pound
Go West
A few issues back, we launched a campaign to find the perfect, insult-free way to describe people from Belfast. There are Dubliners, Glaswegians, Berliners... even Scousers, but no regularly-used moniker for this city’s inhabitants. The call went out, the names were hurled and, after much probing and digesting, the final decision has been made. And the winner is... Belfastians.Yes, it may be a bit of a mouthful, but it takes a big word to encapsulate citizens from the city that spawned Titanic, the Belfast Giants, Gulliver’s Travels and big yellow cranes Samson and Goliath. Talk about pitching above your weight. Typical Belfastians.
Speaking of Titanic, the big ship’s Belfast birth is celebrated in the annual Titanic Made in Belfast Festival from 3-11 April. To get you in the mood, check out our Titanic in Belfast feature for the lowdown on this iconic, ill-fated vessel.
Another global icon, St. Patrick, is celebrated in the town where he is reputedly buried. Find out all about Downpatrick’s big Festival - and not Dowpatrick as we have erroneously typed on our cover... oops, sorry St. Pat, we'll make it up with super-good behaviour. And how you can go a saintly shade of green by foot and rail.
NI Highlights and Hidden Gems is our regular rundown of all that’s great about these six counties. And if you fancy exploring the historic Walled City of Derry, haste ye here where you’ll find all sorts of info to prompt the journey West. Whatever you do, enjoy your NI sojourn, and share your experiences with us at belfast@inyourpocket.com.
And finally, take five minutes to complete our Reader Survey and you could win a sutcase full of global gifts.
Cover pic: The West Belfast Taxi Association has been shuttling passengers in and out of town from West and North Belfast for many decades, providing invaluable public transport through good times and bad. See the city through the drivers' eyes on a Taxi Trax Tour starting from their shiny new city centre HQ.
OUR Belfast HIGHLIGHTS
-
Coiste Political Tours
These indepth tours give the Republican viewpoint as trained guides from the political ex-prisoner community take tourists on an in-depth journey of their area.The Tours began in 2003 as a social eco
Read on -
St. George's Market Bar & Grill
During market mornings, diners can drink in birds-eye views of the colourful action from their first floor perch. As you enter from Oxford Street, read up on the Market's history befor
Read on -
Hilton Belfast
This centrally-located 12-storey hotel is a relatively recent red-brick addition to the city skyline. Outside it's imposing but inside the atmosphere is much more refined. Natural light floods throug
Read on -
Share Holiday Village
Established in 1981, Share is Ireland's largest activity centre and a pioneer in bringing together disabled and non-disabled people through its educational, recreational and creative arts programmes.
Read on -
Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club
This sprawling 88 hectare estate is located five miles from the International Airport, close enough for convenience yet surrounded by rolling green fields. Step inside the grand foyer and you're imme
Read on -
Linen Hall Library
Founded in 1788, Belfast's oldest library is a focal point for the city's cultural community. Join the saints and scholars as they leaf through the books or simply enjoy those fantastic vie
Read on
Latest Belfast Comments
Hi Rebecca - I suggest you get in contact with the Chinese Welfare Association (details above) who I am sure will be able to point you in the right direction. Cheers. Ed[...]
I am sorry i did not get to enjoy the festivities as i was celebrating with my own Asian friends and associates, i am very interested in the Chinese culture in particular and am teaching myself Mandarin Chinese. I would like to know how i can help t[...]
I went to the masked ball on New Year's Eve and enjoyed some excellent live entertainment. Following the bands came the DJ with groovy, funky tunes, though deteriorated towards the end of the night! Great crowd, great vibe, a fabulous night in all[...]
in reply to the comment above i have been to giraffe several times and would just like to say that it is a restaurant not a coffee shop! it is a place to go if your hungry not if you want to sit and take advantage of free refills whilst you pass you[...]
Thank you so much for a great tour, you explained it so well. We enjoyed our tour immensely, thank you for an objective view from both sides. Glad to hear from a driver who has lived through it, rather than from the media. Highly recommended. Tha[...]
check it out folks.meatmen stuff comin soon and hopefully some meat t shirts and stuff.check em out on myspace,you know it makes sense.they are the best band in the world.even if i am a fan[...]
Splas - feet - as in 'look at the size of his splas they're massive!Begs - trousersMonks - underpantsSlegging (verb)- making fun of something or someone[...]
"WARNING" DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT GET YOUR HAIR-PUT IN DREAD'S BY THIS SHOP,YOU'LL NEVER BE HAPPY WITH THEM AS THEY WILL FALL OUT AS THER NOT MADE IN AN EVEN 32 DREAD'S,SHE'LL JUST GRAB YOUR HAIR AND RIP THE HEAD OFF,VERY SORE,YOU DON'T LEAVE SHOP...[...]
That is jsut stupid ! would you go to kfc and sya my child is under 4ft 5ins and gfet a free meal dont think so1 So why should oyu here ! thoguht so! Great place! So all those yappers out there I have to pay fr my kid! wise up of course you do you s[...]
Totally love this place, have been many times and always had gorgeous food. I have recommended it to lots of people and everyone who has went has enjoyed as much as me!! Thanks[...]
hi i got my hair done and i was very happy and i hope to go there again and again and again for the rest of my life[...]
Really delicious, can't recommend the food highly enough!!Agree about the children paying thing though, went with my husband and 3yr old daughter (although she likes chinese food it's hit and miss when she'll eat) on Saturday teatime after shopping,[...]
Took my Grandchildren to restautant had to pay student rate for the eleven year old because he was tall for his age. The air condition was on and it was freezing.[...]
An absolutely brilliant tour! The information on the history was thorough and explained so well.Overall,worth every penny & more.Brian gave us a great view of both sides of the troubles,a great way to start our visit in Belfast! Thanks TaxiTrax![...]
A MUST WHEN YOU VISIT DERRY AND SO GREAT TO MEET THE ACTUAL ARTISTS - SO GLAD I DISCOVERED THIS TOUR, OTHERS IN OUR GROUP WENT ON ANOTHER TOUR AND WERE NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE TALENTED TRIO OR GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR GALLERY IN WILLIAM STREET[...]