Flying into Dublin and Taking Train to Northern Ireland - UKBA Question

So I'm a resident in Belfast, Northern Ireland and will be travelling home for the holidays as many of you are.  However I'll be taking the train to Dublin, flying to the States, then returning via the same route.  My question is this: I'll be going through customs in the Republic of Ireland, but what should I do once I'm back in the United Kingdom?  Should I present myself to immigration control so that they know that I'm back in the country?  Obviously I'll explain myself to the folks at Dublin Airport, but since it's technically a different country, will I have to prove I'm leaving again??  I have a residence card, so it wouldn't be as if I were trying to get around the UKBA, it's just easier and cheaper for me to fly this route.  Any advice, particularly from anyone who's done this before, would be greatly appreciated!!!

The stories that you read on here about trouble traveling via  Ireland to get to the UK are generally about when people FIRST enter on  a visa to get their FIRST stamp. In your situation, you dont have this concern as you arent trying to establish a certain period of residency, are you?

If so, then the answer to your question is that you cannot "present yourself to immigration" in Northern Ireland as there wont be IOs there to check passengers coming from Dublin.  You will just need to show your travel documents (train reservation) to the IO in Dublin which shows you will be leaving Ireland.

If you already have permission to enter the UK (visa or residence card) you should be OK with your travel. It's those entering as a visitor and those entering for the first time on a UK visa that need to avoid Dublin.

Just as a logistical thing....getting the train from Dublin airport to Belfast is impossible. You have to go all the way into Dublin (30-45 minute journey) to get the train from Connolly. There are AirCoach buses from the airport directly to Belfast (I believe they leave hourly), and this may actually end up being quicker (and certainly cheaper) than getting the train.

Bmore_2_UK, you're right, I don't know why I said the train to be honest.  Most likely because my partner is from the South and we always travel by train.  I will be taking the bus directly from Belfast to the airport!! 
In any case, I do have permission to enter and remain in the UK by way of my residence card.  I just didn't want to seem like one of those people who was trying to get around immigration by going through Dublin!   

Cool deal! Have a great trip!

BTW - where is your partner from??

He was born in Cavan, but now his mother lives in Dundalk and that's where he grew up.  Although living in the North has given him quite a muddled accent!

My Republic of Cork husband told me the other day that if someone asks me where I live, I'm supposed to say 'Cork' instead of 'Ireland'.  This is interesting since we live in Dublin, but whatever! 

My Republic of Cork husband told me the other day that if someone asks me where I live, I'm supposed to say 'Cork' instead of 'Ireland'.  This is interesting since we live in Dublin, but whatever! 

K, I choked on my tea when I read this!  Too funny!

He was born in Cavan, but now his mother lives in Dundalk and that's where he grew up.  Although living in the North has given him quite a muddled accent!

This amuses me too lol.  We've lived in the North for over 5 yrs now, and my husband still sounds like he came up from Dublin about 10 minutes ago...so much so that if we happen to run into someone else from Dublin up here, they can pinpoint which part of the Southside he's from.  I think he'd want to curl up and die if anyone ever told him he had a Northern accent.

Enjoy your trip home!

My Republic of Cork husband told me the other day that if someone asks me where I live, I'm supposed to say 'Cork' instead of 'Ireland'.  This is interesting since we live in Dublin, but whatever! 

Republic of Cork LOL