Belfast city breaks

Named after the Romanesque St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is the hub of the city’s flourishing arts scene. This is where the modern, Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) stands alongside historic city buildings. Chic, contemporary eateries can be found alongside traditional pubs on 17th-century streets. Get tickets to a gig at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Or in the summer months, enjoy open-air performances and entertainment at Custom House Square or Cotton Court.

Belfast’s famed maritime heritage meets ultra-modern innovation in the recently developed Titanic Quarter. Northern Ireland’s largest entertainment venue, the Odyssey, is the gateway to the Quarter and boasts everything from ten pin bowling to the Arena – home of the Belfast Giants ice hockey squad. Next to the awe-inspiring structure of the Titanic Belfast – step aboard its original tender, the century-old SS Nomadic. Of course, a visit to the world-class neighbouring museum is a must. It’s easy to see why this multimedia exploration of Titanic’s story, is Belfast’s Number One attraction.

Belfast’s bohemian Queen’s Quarter – so called because it encompasses the area around Queen’s University – is a veritable feast of art galleries, quaint second-hand shops and live entertainment venues. Make a visit to the excellent Ulster Museum high on your priority list. A stroll among the Botanic Gardens’ exotic blooms is also a must. Browse the artworks on display at Queen’s University’s Naughton Gallery. Or take in an indie movie at the Queens Film Theatre.

For the authentic Northern Irish experience, make your way to the Gaeltacht Quarter in West Belfast. Although the city has moved on since the troubles of the last century, you can still see the mural-emblazoned peace wall built to separate the warring Catholic and Protestant communities. Stop by the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich centre, where Irish culture is celebrated through a wide range of arts events. In the spring and summer don’t miss one of Europe’s largest community festivals, the Féile an Phobail, dedicated to traditional Irish performing arts.