Norn Iron

[Grahame]

Aye, the Crown is a must. I'll be there myself in a couple of weeks - really looking forward to being back in Belfast.
And you can always wave to the folks back home via the Crown Bar webcam (although it seems to be offline at the moment)...

[Dot]

Riotgrrl,

You were right about it being the most bombed hotel in Europe and there are pictures of it along with 'The Crown' and a few other places of interest on here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:B ... in_Belfast

[Dot]

Looks like you might not get inside the building as they are still working on it.
Belfast City Hall is getting a makeover.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7913701.stm


If you or your folks like shopping then you may want to go to Victoria Square which is the most recently opened shopping centre in Belfast city centre. Some people seem to like the architecture though some of the shops are expensive.
http://www.victoriasquare.com/dsp_gallery.cfm

[Peetabix]

Thanks again guys. I'll take a note of all the places mentioned and cram in as much as possible.

[Dot]

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/ ... fast-P1719
This link gives details of more shops and stuff to do and think the rugby appears in events section.
The Merchant Hotel is mentioned and if you are in the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast you might come across it. I have never eaten in it but had a peep through the doors just shortly after it opened. Five star hotel which was once a bank but building is nice and think it is listed. There is a pub at the side of it called The Cloth Ear and thought you might get some nice pics near here and also in High Street near the Albert Clock.
From one end of High Street you can also see the H&W Cranes.
Belfast City Hall is popular spot for photos.

Zolita1908 has some good photos of Northern Ireland.

We have had a bit of snow over here but it doesn't seem to be lying anywhere except on the hills.
Not sure what next few days will bring but hope you enjoy your visit.

[Peetabix]

Thanks again Dot. Really looking forward to the visit now. Fly out early tomorrow morning. I'll try and fit a few posts in and let you what I'm up to.

[Peetabix]

Loved the place. Would go back in a second although I could give Belfast a miss to be honest.

Couple of pics.

Giants Causeway Click for daft size.


The road to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge


Close to where I was staying.


More to be added to flickr if you're interested.

[Dot]

Glad you enjoyed yourself and Belfast is a small place so you could probably see most of it in a day or so.
Would like to move one day but at the moment it suits for work, schools etc and have some relations here.

Like your pictures and think Carrick-a-rede is the only rope bridge I have been on anywhere.
Be happy to see more of your pictures if you have them.

Were you staying in Ballygally or anywhere in that direction?
I have stayed in Ballygally Castle Hotel but there is another smaller place owned by a local well known boxer in the area.

[Peetabix]

Hi Dot. We stayed in Glenariff just up the road from Ballygally. Cracker of a cottage and not too far from shops/touristy stuff.

I had visited every county in a day and a half. Not bad going.

I'll post some more pics here and you can check out my flickr HERE.



My Da scaling the Causeway.

[Dot]

Peetabix,

Excellent photos and you must have been busy getting round all six counties (FAT LAD).
That was the name we used to remember them all in school.

Did you see this place at all?
Rather odd but interesting at the same time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harrymarmot/179654234/

[Peetabix]

Thanks Dot aye we were busy the first couple of days.

I didn't notice that building. We did pass through Ballintoy but I missed that. I really loved that North east coast. I could spend another week there alone no problem.

Glenariff Forest Park

[Dot]

Peetabix,

Forgot to ask if you made it to the rugby?

Did you fly into the International Airport at Aldergrove or George Best Belfast City Airport?

Also did you try any of the local food and drink e.g. Belfast baps, brown lemonade, Ulster Fry (they try to make them healthier these days by grilling more of the items), Tayto Crisps or Bushmills Whisky?

[Peetabix]

We were too knackered for the rugby Dot. I didn't try much local stuff, or maybe I did and just never noticed. Plenty of Belfast Baps though.

We passed Bushmills distillery a few times but never made a visit. That's for next time. Think my maw might have had a couple though.

[Dot]

Seeing as the topic of funny sayings has arisen thought I would post some local ones on here.

Wind yer neck in (stop being a buck eejit)
It was quare craic (highly amusing)
Sticking out (great, fab, that's fine)

[Dave]

It was quare craic

I hope that wasn't a typo