Northern Ireland Tourist Board Belfast offers a wide range of entertainment from traditional pubs to theatre and nightclubs. One hour from Belfast there is also a wide range of activities available such as golf, walking, cycling and sailing. Northern IrelandŐs Royal County Down and Royal Portrush golf courses are listed among the top ten golf courses in the world and are only one hour from Belfast. Northern IrelandŐs top tourist attractions are also a short drive away, such as the GiantŐs Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route, voted one of the best coastal views in the world, the magnificent Mourne Mountains and the historic Walled City of Derry. Attractions The Royal Belfast Golf Club Royal Station Road Craigavad Holywood BT18 0BP Tel. 028 9042 8165 www.royalbelfast.com Royal County Down Golf Club 36 Golf Links Road Newcastle Co Down BT33 0AN Tel. 028 4372 3314 www.royalcountydown.org Royal Portrush Golf Club Dunluce Road Portrush Co. Antrim BT56 8JQ Tel. 028 7082 2311 www.royalportrushgolfclub.com Armagh Planetarium Armagh Planetarium has been very popular with visitors since its reopening to the public in summer 2006. The newly refurbished Digital Theatre allows visitors to enjoy spectacular 3-D colour images projected across the entire dome. Visitors can tour the exhibition halls, view the space models and visit the Mars 3D room. College Hill Armagh, BT61 9DB Tel. 028 3752 3689 www.armaghplanet.com Belfast Cathedral Open Daily. Admission free. The main section of the Hiberno- Romanesque building was consecrated in 1904. The Cathedral contains mosaics designed by Sir Charles Nicholson and executed by Gertrude and Margaret Martin. There are sculptures by Rosamund Praegar and Maurice Harding. The Cathedral has the largest Celtic Cross in Ireland, and mosaics and stained glass on Celtic themes. Donegall Street Belfast, BT1 2HB 028 9032 8332 www.belfastcathedral.org Belfast City Hall An example of Classical Renaissance style, this Edwardian masterpiece (1906) of Portland stone is the home of Belfast City Council. As part of a major renovation programme, the building is temporarily closed to the public. It will re-open in late 2009. Donegall Square, Belfast, BT1 5GS Tel. 028 9032 0202 www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall Belfast Hills The Belfast Hills Partnership encompasses all the sites that let visitors experience the Belfast Hills, renowned for providing a unique backdrop to a thriving urban area. Being so close to the city, views over Belfast and beyond can be easily enjoyed at Cave Hill and Belfast Castle or Black Mountain. The Belfast Hills are thought to be inspiration for Jonathan SwiftŐs ŇGulliverŐs TravelsÓ as the hills are the embodiment of a sleeping giant safeguarding the city. 163 Stewartstown Road Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0HW Tel. 028 9060 3466 www.belfasthills.org Exploris Aquarium Exploris is Northern IrelandŐs only public Aquarium and seal sanctuary. It is located in Portaferry, on the shores of the Marine Nature Reserve of Strangford Lough. The Aquarium presents the wonders of the Irish Sea through an enjoyable and interactive experience. The Ropewalk, Castle Street Portaferry, BT22 1NZ Tel. 028 4272 8062 www.exploris.org.uk GiantŐs Causeway This geological phenomenon sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Antrim coast and is a world heritage site. Guided tours operate JuneĐAugust and the Causeway Coast Way coastal path can be explored all year round. A gift shop and a restaurant are open all year. 44a Causeway Road Bushmills Co. Antrim, BT57 8SU Tel. 028 2073 1582 www.ntni.org.uk Grand Opera House BelfastŐs Grand Opera House is located on Great Victoria Street and is over 100 years old. There are two auditoriums, The Baby Grand and main Auditorium, both play host to companies from Great Britain and the world. The theatre offers a range of entertainment from operas and plays to pantomines. Great Victoria Street Belfast, BT2 7HR Tel. 028 9024 0411 www.goh.co.uk Parliament Buildings, Stormont Stormont is a public park which remains open until 7.30pm. Pedestrians can walk from the main gates to the statue of Carson, along the Prince of Wales Avenue and can also enjoy the glen walk and visit the excellent facilities at the childrenŐs playground. Upper Newtownards Road Belfast Tel. 028 9052 1333 www.niassembly.gov.uk Saint Patrick Centre The St Patrick exhibition is a new 21st century interactive experience which tells the story of IrelandŐs Patron Saint. Bold graphics, sculptures, video and audio techniques allow visitors to explore how PatrickŐs legacy developed in early Christian times and reveals the artwork that was produced during this golden age. The centre also examines the major impact of many missionaries in dark-age Europe Đ a legacy that remains to this day. Saint PatrickŐs Square 53a Lower Market Street Downpatrick County Down BT30 6LZ Tel. 028 4461 9000 www.saintpatrickcentre.com Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park lies on the southern outskirts of Belfast and is one of the outstanding areas within the Lagan Valley Regional Park consisting of 128 acres of meadows, copses, woodland and gardens. It is one of the most popular parks in Belfast, attracting thousands of visitors each year to see the International Rose Garden and the rhododendron displays, listen to a band concert, use the childrenŐs playground or relax in the tranquil surroundings. Upper Malone Road Belfast BT17 9LA www.belfastcity.gov.uk Ulster Folk and Transport Museum The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is one of IrelandŐs foremost visitor attractions illustrating the way of life and traditions of the people of the North of Ireland. The award winning galleries of the Transport Museum display IrelandŐs most comprehensive transport collections from horse drawn cart to Irish built motor cars, from the steam locomotives of the 19th century to the history of ship and boat building. At Cultra, 7 miles east of Belfast near Holywood with access by road, rail and bus. Cultra, Holywood Co.Down BT18 0EU Tel: 028 9042 8428 www.uftm.org.uk Shopping Castlecourt Shopping Centre Castlecourt Shopping Centre in Belfast is at the heart of the city, and offers an extensive variety of shops. Castlecourt Royal Avenue Belfast Co. Antrim BT1 1DD Tel. 02890 234591 Craft Northern Ireland Craft NI promotes and supports contemporary craft and applied arts in Northern Ireland. It offers a range of support programmes to the crafts sector and showcases high quality craft at its premises in Cotton Court, where designer-makers looking to develop business or visitors sourcing a distinctive gift can visit, in the heart of BelfastŐs Cathedral Quarter. 42 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2ED Tel. 028 9032 3059 www.craftni.org Forestside Shopping Centre Anchored by SainsburyŐs, Marks & Spencer and Dunnes Stores, the centre has, among many other tenants: Next, Boots and HMV. The centre has over 1,100 free parking spaces, disabled and parent and toddler facilities. Shop mobility service, shopping trolleys and lockers available. Upper Galwally Saintfield Road, Belfast Tel. (028) 9049 4990 Web. www.forestside.co.uk Junction One International Outlet Centre Over 50 outlets including Next, Marks and Spencer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Adidas and Reebok offering discounts of up to 60% all year, together with an excellent catering range including Starbucks and Rain City. 20 miles from Belfast City Centre on M2/M22, 2000 free parking spaces. Ballymena Road Antrim, BT41 4LL Tel. 028 9442 9111 www.junctionone.co.uk St GeorgeŐs Market St GeorgeŐs Market (the oldest covered market in Ireland) runs a Variety Market every Friday morning which boasts the largest indoor fish market in Ireland with 23 seafood stalls. The Saturday morning Farm & Speciality Food Market offers a wide range of local high quality specialist food products. 16-20 East Side Bridge Belfast, BT1 3NQ Tel. 028 9043 5704 www.belfastcity.gov.uk The Spires Centre & Mall Built in 1905 and refurbished in 1992, the architecturally admired building features stained glass windows. Offers designer fashion and giftware shopping, plus a cafŽ on the ground floor. Also has conference and exhibition facilities in one of BelfastŐs most attractive buildings. Church House, Wellington Street Belfast, BT1 6DW Tel. 028 9032 2284 www.spiresbelfast.co.uk Victoria Square Anchored by the most modern and sophisticated House of Fraser department store ever built and ranging across 14 acres of the city centre, Victoria Square is no ordinary shopping destination. Indeed, the concept itself is unique - four levels of covered, pedestrianised streets topped by the iconic dome with views across the city, the river Lagan and even to the Mournes beyond. Most of all, Victoria Square brings a range of major new shopping brands to Northern Ireland: Urban Outfitters; Cruise; Reiss; LK Bennett; All Saints; Hugo Boss; and Ted Baker, as well as the 500 brands that House of Fraser has under one roof - including the world-famous HamleyŐs toy store. 1 Victoria Square, Belfast, BT1 4QG www.victoriasquare.com Westwood Shopping Centre In west Belfast, the 130,000 sq ft centre attracts city-bound visitors from the nearby M1 junction. The welcoming and clean environment is enhanced by good natural light and planting. Stores include Superdrug, NPO, Shop Electric, PeacockŐs, TylerŐs plus a McDonalds drive-thru restaurant. Kennedy Way, Belfast, BT11 9AP Tel. 028 9061 1255 Information provided by Northern Ireland Tourist Board.