The Hidden Glasgow Forums

I'm going to Northern Ireland in March 09 with the family and I was wondering if there is any quite large sporting events around that time I could take my Da to.

Any other general info/places to go would be great.

We'll be staying on the east coast but we'll have the motor so travelling isn't a problem.

The Odyssey Arena holds various events like ice hockey, concerts etc and it is in Belfast.

My hubby suggests you try going to moneysavingexpert.com and scroll down to local forums.
Pick the Northern Ireland one and then pose whatever questions you wish.
Hopefully you should get some helpful answers.

Alternatively just click the link below!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/for ... .html?f=32

If I think of anything else that may be of use I will get back to you.
Thought this might at least be a start.

Thanks a lot Dot. I'll check that forum out.

I'm really looking forward to the trip, never been before.

Ma n Da went earlier this year and fell in love with the place. Ma found her great grannies birthplace and the chapel she got married in.

Anyway, thanks again.

You might need a little help with the language too:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zJH3_mYFPYc

It's a great place - very many generous and kind people. Hoping to get over myself sometime soon to see the sights and especially to get my own photos of the Lt Col. Blair Mayne statue in Newtonards.

Best person to ask Peet would be Zolita1908, you may catche her on here occasionally now, but if you use flickr you can get her there, search using her user name on here, shes from norn iron

I have been trying to think of things and places that you might want to go and see.
Don't know if you are sailing to Larne or Belfast but here are a few things which may or may not be of interest.

About four miles from Larne there is a place called Carnfunnock Country Park which has a nine hole golf course, crazy golf, minature railway, walled garden, mini cars and adventure playground. Not a bad wee spot especially if weather is decent. There is a wee coffee/gift shop where you can get snacks etc but in good weather some people barbeque.
Coast road has some nice views.

National Trust have some nice properties over here and some have beautiful gardens. Mount Stewart is nice and maybe
your relatives might enjoy it.
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on Bangor Road, Holywood might be worth a visit.

In Belfast you can go on city sightseeing trips on special buses and I think there is a web site called gotobelfast.com.
If you fancy a drink you could try
http://www.crownbar.com/
Try looking at this http://www.visitnorthernireland.com

my wee lassie (19)flew out to Belfast yesterday morning to see her boyfriend. Ah miss her already.
Hey dot how about some NI pictures.

Glasgow are due to thrash Ulster at rugger sometime over the weekend of 6/8 March. Precise timings to be confirmed but will be in Belfast and always a great game to travel to.

Here are some more bits and pieces which I thought might be of use.

The sporting events I can think of are things which would be held over summer months but will keep my eyes and ears open for any information.
The Dundonald Ice Bowl has ice skating and ten pin bowling amongst other things.

You may want to take the ferry from Strangford to Portaferry, Co. Down and in that neck of the woods there is this.
http://www.exploris.org.uk/
Also in Co. Down there is http://www.graceneills.com/

If you are over here on St. Patrick's Day you will probably see a few people in green outfits and maybe even knocking back green beer.

Belfast venues for concerts etc are http://odysseyarena.com/
http://www.waterfront.co.uk/

I went to Belfast about 8 years ago I stayed at the Europa Hotel the Dalai Lama was there at the same time,I passed him by in the foyer.

funny you mention the Dundonald Ice Bowl DOT the wean is going to watch an ice hockey game.
Cmoan the winnwers .

hazy,

My oldest boy is away as we speak to see Belfast Giants (local ice hockey team) at Odyssey.
He has a season ticket.


Grahame,

That was an interesting wee link.
I even learned one phrase I hadn't heard before.

Brilliant info guys thanks a lot. I arrive in Belfast on March 7th so the Ulster v Glasgow rugby sounds a good bet.

Just looking through all the links.

Thanks again.

If you've got a couple of hours to spare in Belfast you should do the black cab taxi tour; they'll take you into the Shankhill, the Falls, lots of good opportunties for photo murals.

And apparently you HAVE to have a drink in the Crown Bar. Which I did. I just wish I had had the courage to ask the bar staff if I could take a few photos of the interior - amazing - but I was a woman, from a foreign country, drinking alone and was feeling a little self-conscious.

The Crown is opposite the Europa, the most bombed hotel in Europe, or the world or something.