Ireland – Travelbyjaed

Belfast was the second leg of my trip to Ireland. I was really excited to go to Belfast as it is a city with a complicated history and I wanted to learn more about ‘The Troubles’ and how the city overcame them to be a city on the rise. Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom, the currency used is the GBP (£).

Cost of my trip
I caught a coach from Dublin to Belfast and it took approximately 2hrs 30mins at a cost of €17. Accommodation cost £45 for 3 nights and my return flight back to London cost £35.

Where I stayed

Global Village Hostel
The hostel was located in the university district of Belfast. The hostel is not centrally located but it is very easy to get to the centre with a local bus or it is a 20-30mins walk dependent on your speed. The hostel was very cool, clean and the staff really made you feel welcome. There is a real community spirit encouraged by the staff at the hostel and for £15 a night it was great value for money.

Global Village Hostel, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)

Inside Global Village, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)

What I did

Ulster Museum
To learn about Belfast and Northern Ireland’s history the museum is a great place to start. The exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ is laid out in chronological order and it offers a great sense of what happened. Aside from the exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ there are other exhibition and collection on display and they are the most eclectic collection and display I have ever seen. Nevertheless it is still a great museum and there is no entrance fee.

Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sculpture outside Ulster Museum, Northern Ireland

Belfast Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is also home to Ulster Museum so you can visit both attractions on the same day. The beautiful domed conservatory is not very large but it is very interesting and a worthwhile visit, there is no entrance fee to the conservatory.

Belfast Botanical Gardens, Northern Ireland

Belfast Botanical Garden Conservatory, Northern Ireland — Belfast Botanical Gardens, Northern Ireland

Inside Belfast Botanical Garden Conservatory, Northern Ireland

Christmas Market
A Christmas market was held on the grounds of the grand Belfast City Hall, an iconic building in its own right brought to life by the dazzling lights and various booths and stalls selling everything to make the festive period extra special.

Belfast Christmas Market, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway Tour
The Giant’s Causeway is an all day trip for £25, the trip includes a trip to Carrickfergus Castle, a walk along the legendary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and culminates at the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway. The drive to the various attractions goes along the gorgeous Antrim coast, offering beautiful and unspoilt views.

Carrickfergus Castle
The stop at the castle was very brief and we weren’t able to go inside but the views were worthwhile.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Walking on the bridge is not guaranteed as on days with high winds the bridge is closed, so I was very lucky the bridge was opened. There is a short and easy 1 kilometre hike from the car park to the place where you access the bridge, there is a small fee of £5 to cross the bridge. The views were really amazing and crossing the bridge was one of the best experiences of my life it was scary but exhilarating.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

View from Carrick-a-Rede, Northern Ireland

Walking on Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway
An amazing wonder of nature, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a national nature reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, the Giant’s Causeway was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It was a truly unique sight and well worth the visit, I would like to visit again during summer time.

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland — The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Me at The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland — Me at The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Other sights and things of Belfast

View from Victoria Shopping Centre Viewing Platform, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's University Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s University Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's University at night, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s University at night, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Part of Belfaast Town Hall, Northern Ireland

Beacon of Hope, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Elmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Albert Clock Tower, Belfast, Northern Ireland

My Review of the City
Belfast is a city that is relatively new as a tourist destination but it is well worth a visit, I recommend going there before it becomes too commercial and things become very expensive. Going out eating, drinking and all the activities I did were very reasonably priced, I am sure this will change once the tourism industry becomes well and truly established. I had a good time in the Belfast even though there isn’t much to do in the city but when coupled with a trip to Dublin like I did, you will be bound to have a fun filled trip.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
Please follow my blog and you will be notified as I upload more posts. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

I decided I need to see more of the countries and cities neighbouring where I live (London) so I decided to take a trip to Dublin in Ireland. The Currency used in Ireland is the Euro, £1 (GBP) is equivalent to €1.30 (Euros).

Cost of my trip
My flight from London Stanstead to Dublin cost €13 (£10) and my accommodation at Abigail’s hostel costs €104.80 (£81.54) for 4 nights.

The weather
It was December so it was cold, I needed my large coat, scarf, hat and gloves. The Emerald isles surely get cold during winter.

Where I stayed
Abigail’s Hostel
The hostel was centrally located on Aston Quay with views of the River Liffy. It was decent, the hostel room had an en-suite and the breakfast (included) was typical of continental Europe. The hotel was value for money and I recommend it for ease of access to the main attractions.

Abigail's Hostel, Dublin, Ireland — Abigail’s Hostel, Dublin, Ireland (This photo is not mine)

Inside Abigail's Hostel, Dublin, Ireland — Inside Abigail’s Hostel, Dublin, Ireland (This photo is not mine)

What I did

Dublin Free Walking Tour
I went on a Sandemans free walking tour, I find this is the best way to learn about a new city, the tour guides are usually history students and they have great knowledge of the city and culture. The guide on this tour was no exception, he was great fun.

Sandemans Free Walking Tour, Dubin, Ireland — Sandemans Free Walking Tour, Dublin, Ireland

Dublin Castle
The Castle is rather unusual in that it doesn’t look much like a Castle in the main courtyard, however the old prison attached to the rear of the castle is a lot more interesting and typical of medieval architecture.

Trinity College
The university grounds are beautiful and steeped in history and culture, I would have loved being a student here. Trinity college is also the home to the exhibition of The Book of Kells and The Long Room library .

Trinity College Clock Tower, Dublin, Ireland

The Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is beautifully decorated and written in Latin, it contains the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various introductory texts and tables. It truly is a masterpiece of Western calligraphy, the book is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure. There is an entrance fee of €10 to the exhibition, photographs are not allowed therefore I have no pictures of my own to share with you, I highly recommend a visit to the exhibition.

The Long room
The entrance to the Long room is at the end of the Book of Kells exhibition, it is a fantastic library where the books are arranged by height, it is said finding a book can take a good while. Being surrounded by all that knowledge made me feel smart, the knowledge seemed to seep out and permeate the air.

The Long Room Library, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

The City Hall
The City Hall is a fine example of 18th-century architecture, the exterior is beautiful but the inside is even more impressive, as you walk through the doors you are met with a beautifully painted gold dome. There wasn’t anything to do in building except appreciate the architecture and empty space.

The Dome of The City Hall, Dublin, Ireland

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMoMA)
The IMoMA is located in a fantastic building on beautiful grounds. It was free to get into the main exhibition.

Gary Hume, Back of Snowman, IMoMa, Dublin, Ireland

Isaac Julien, Love Hate, IMOMA, Dublin, Ireland — Isaac Julien, Love Hate, IMoMA, Dublin, Ireland

The Formal Gardens
The gardens are located next to the IMoMA, it is immaculately kept and you can tell a lot of love and care goes into looking after the gardens. It was a dry and sunny day so I sat under the winter sun for while just enjoying the gardens.

Dublin at Night
Seeing a city at night you get a totally different vibe than you would get during the day, Dublin’s vibe was much sexy and somewhat romantic especially around the River Liffy.

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, Dublin, Ireland — Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Dublin, Ireland

The Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland — The Ha’Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

The Padlocks of Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland — The Padlocks of Ha’Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

Light on O'Connell Bridge, Dublin, Ireland — Light on O’Connell Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

St Andrew's Dublin, Ireland — St Andrew’s Dublin, Ireland

Other sights and things of Dublin

My Review of the City
Dublin is a crazy, sexy and cool city. I will describe it as a smaller compact London which is actually more expensive but with nicer people. I definitely would love to return to Dublin as part of a bigger trip through Southern Ireland. All in all Dublin is a great city.

If you’ve enjoyed my review, or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you and if you follow my blog you will be notified as I upload more posts.

	Travelbyjaed on Cardiff – Wales
	Travelbyjaed on Viñales – Cuba
	PERFORMING ARTS HIGH… on Cardiff – Wales
	Claire Sanabrias on Viñales – Cuba
	Trinidad – Cub… on Viñales – Cuba

Travelbyjaed

Tag: Ireland

Belfast – Northern Ireland

Dublin – Ireland

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: