Belfast Airfares

By Rachel Newcombe: The city of Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the largest city in the province of Ulster. Its name originates from Béal Feirste, the Irish for ‘mouth of the Feirste,’ the river on which the city was built. Today the river Lagan is most prominent, but if you stand on the waterfront, near the Lagan Lookout, you can see water flowing beneath an archway and underneath the city, and this is the famous river after which it’s named.

Despite its troubled past, the city is a busy and active centre, with heaps of cultural and historical interest and is well worth a visit. In the Victorian era it was an important industrial centre, made famous for its linen traders and shipbuilders, and the dock area is renowned for having the twin slipways, where the Titanic and Olympic White Star passenger liners were launched.

The city has numerous historical buildings to see, each with their own unique story. St. Anne’s Cathedral was designed in Hiberno-Romanesque style, taking a massive 77 years to complete. The City Hall is a great example of Classical Renaissance architecture and there are free tours available and the Linen Hall Library in Donegall Square was once a warehouse for linen.

The area called the Queen’s Quarters takes its name from the famous Queen’s University of Belfast which you’ll find here. Evidence of creativity and artistic influences abound and the Queen’s Quarter is a great place to do a spot of shopping, indulgence in nightlife or eat at one of the many bistros or restaurants. For families, or individuals, old or young, the city has something for everyone. Go!