Ireland

Actually, you can get to the Odyssey via a pedestrian bridge over the Lagan river which is right at the bottom of the High Street (and they are redeveloping that whole area so it's becoming more visitor friendly). If you walk to the Albert Clock (sort of like Belfast's leaning tower), then it's just a short walk past that (past McHugh's pub) to the bridge where the big fish is. Cross the bridge and head to the Odyssey, there are a number restaurants in it - go there only for a drink really, the restaurants are hit and miss - oddly the best views are to be had from the movie theater, which is kind of a shame, they should have had at least one eating/drinking area that had those views from its windows! At any rate it is not a long walk and depending on the time and the weather, it can be a very nice walk alongside the river with its views. You may even see a seal swimming past.

However the Odyssey itself is probably over-rated, unless you've a movie or show to go to, it's just a nice walk (IMO), altho as part of the 'new Belfast' it is worth a mention. Depending on what you are interested in seeing, there is a lot for you to do.

Thanks Stella Marie. I fly in late afternoon, will spend the night in Belfast and head up north the next morning first thing and then tour around Belfast again my last day. I've left all my planning to last minute... so of course it will be the best trip ever!! 

Remember, don't eat the Dingle berries.

Remember, don't eat the Dingle berries.

okay, I will remember that. 

We just went there for an extended Easter weekend. Unfortunately, our plans to Belfast and Giant's Causeway had to be be scrapped last minute. However, I would definitely make sure you get to the Western coast and go to see the Cliffs of Moher near Shannon. It was gorgeous...a little scary...but stunning! Also near there is the Ring of Kerry which you can take a tour bus through if you want. Really pretty views. Also, if you are in Dublin, I agree that the Guiness Factory is well worth it (plus you get a free pint at the end)! If you can pass through Waterford, it is really nice to see the tour of the place and see the workers hand-make the Waterford crystal!

Have fun! 

Hi all, thanks for the tips.

Northern Ireland was great. Lucky me, I picked the weekend of the North West 200 and accommodation up north was swamped. I stayed in Belfast for 3 nights instead and daytripped up to Bushmills Distillery and the Giant's Causeway. I was one of the lucky people to taste test the scotch, whiskey, etc at the end of the tour.  Giant's Causeway was cool. I had no expectations of it before I got there. The upper section was closed off so that was a bit of a bummer.

I found many of the sites mentioned. Tourist info was handy for planning what to do. I ended up doing a couple of tourist walks, boat tour and bus tour. Belfast is a major drag for tourists on a Sunday morning though. Perhaps I should have gone to church.  My flight was out at 6pm so I just had another walk around and took pictures of the murals and empty streets. I met loads of Americans travelling!

It will be interesting to see Belfast in 5-10 years time. I'd recommend a trip up there!

I have tons of pictures but I need a tutorial on how to post my favorites 

Off to Ireland next month...

Belfast is a major drag for tourists on a Sunday morning though.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that...   I remember spending many a weekend up there just wandering around the streets Sunday morning.  Then about noon a couple shops open up, but not many, like maybe 1 out 10...  It was sort of strange.  I remember one Sunday sitting in the Drury Inn on Great Victoria Street.  I was sitting in the hotel room working on my computer and all of a sudden this big ruckus started and all these police cars started going down the street and there were people in the street everwhere and everything was headed towards Stormont.  I thought something horrible had happened.  I mean I think everyone is a "little" jumpy in Belfast now and again.  Anyways, it ended up being the Rugby team coming back from a huge win and everyone had shown up to welcome them back... hahahaha...

Lucky me, I picked the weekend of the North West 200 and accommodation up north was swamped.

We were there when the motorbikes were in town as well, but i loved it because im really into bikes (and bikers!!)  I guess we got lucky with our accommodation.

I was one of the lucky people to taste test the scotch, whiskey, etc at the end of the tour. 

They gave you scotch?!    Was that just to compare the difference between Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey?
I really loved the Bushmills when i was there... thinking of buying a bottle now, in fact!

Glad to hear you had a good time. 

Belfast is a major drag for tourists on a Sunday morning though.

It was only a couple months ago the big news was that shops are now open until 7pm 

Glad you had a good time.

I will have the lasting memory of associating the northern coastline with the roaring motorbikes. It was very cool and the bikers were friendly. They were everywhere... on the rope bridge, on the whiskey tour, in town, at the Giant's Causeway etc!
It was a gorgeous day too.

Yes, at the end of the Bushmills tour 4 lucky people in the tour group 2 men to 2 women can volunteer to try out a Scotch whisky, Kentucky bourbon whiskey (Jim Beam), American Scotch Whisky (Johnnie Walker) and a sherry plus 4 of Bushmills' whiskeys with the purpose of comparing the flavors.

At the end we got a glass of our choice and a certificate. The absolute best was the old reserve you can only buy in their shop. That stuff went down smooth! I went to a Scotch distillery the weekend before and could barely choke it down so I didn't have high expectations for Irish Whiskey... I was wrong!

It was only a couple months ago the big news was that shops are now open until 7pm 

Glad you had a good time.

Yes, in that respect it was nice... despite the fact shops don't open until 1-2pm on a Sunday!!    It was cool roaming the huge empty streets. There is an interesting vibe about Belfast. Optimistic, forward looking perhaps?

I didn't have high expectations for Irish Whiskey... I was wrong!

I generally like whisky/whiskey, but i was surprised to find that i preferred the Irish to the Scotch!

Yes, in that respect it was nice... despite the fact shops don't open until 1-2pm on a Sunday!!    It was cool roaming the huge empty streets. There is an interesting vibe about Belfast. Optimistic, forward looking perhaps?

Things are changing. I am sure there's stages to post-conflict collective psyche. It may not seem so from the politicians but the mindset seems to have moved forward - not to say the old prejudices aren't that far under the surface but the peace process has been going on now for 10 years+. Forward looking would be a good way to describe it.

Yes, in that respect it was nice... despite the fact shops don't open until 1-2pm on a Sunday!! It was cool roaming the huge empty streets. There is an interesting vibe about Belfast. Optimistic, forward looking perhaps?

 At least the shops are open on Sunday...lol In Armagh the ONLY shop open on Sunday is Sainsbury's

Funny enough I have noticed in the town there are more shops open on Sundays than used to be. Not all of them, but it's a start!