Belfast offers a range of fascinating places to visit; from the beautiful landscape and surroundings of Cave Hill to the great architecture of the Odyssey Arena, Titanic Building and Victoria Square, to the hustle and bustle of St. George’s market. Although each area of Belfast has their own unique beauty and exciting destinations to explore.
East Belfast is rich in history and is evolving into the new hot spot for tourists and locals alike, to see some of the interesting attractions it has to offer.
If shopping is your thing, then why not visit one of the busy shopping areas in the East, like the Cregagh Road to the popular urban districts of the Newtownards Road and Ballyhackamore. This area encourages sitting back after a hard days shopping, with a creamy cappuccino in one the warm welcoming coffee houses, a pint in one of its established bars or some fabulous quirky but traditional cuisine in one of its restaurants such as as Horatio Todd’s. Or how about an afternoon of chocolate tasting in Aunt Sandra’s on the Castlereagh road.
East Belfast is known worldwide for it’s creation at Queen’s Island where shipbuilders, Harland & Wolff, built the iconic Titanic and where once many of Belfast’s working class men spent their days. For miles across the skyline you can see the giants of Samson and Goliath, twin shipbuilding cranes towering over the city. The area celebrates these great men and the infamous ship by remembering them with murals, such as the one on the Newtownards Road entitled the ‘Ship of Dreams’. A masterpiece that captivates the street.
One of East Belfast’s most iconic buildings is the Odyssey arena, home of the Belfast Giants; a complex packed with bars, nightclubs, a bowling alley and a concert hall, with many world renowned performers taking the stage over the years.
Another interesting activity, are the Mural Tours, where you can see the many famous faces of East Belfast, such as Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis and Northern Ireland Footballing Legend David Healy, depicted scoring the winning goal against England. Many of the murals highlight the dark days in Belfast’s history, from the people the East lost during the Troubles to the conflict between the communities. Although, one particular mural in East Belfast is a little better known than some of the rest, this mural shows the East’s greatest ever icon immortalised on a wall in the heart of the Cregagh Estate, where once this iconic figure called home. George Best, a footballing inspiration and a genius of the sport.
The Parliament Buildings of Stormont, home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, set in acres of luscious green landscape and steeped in history, are an ever popular attraction amongst locals and tourists. Events are held regularly on the grounds, although it is equally as pleasurable to go for an afternoon stroll.
Taking a walk around many of the East’s parks is definitely a great way to put your mind at ease, to relax with friends or enjoy a picnic.One such park, Cregagh Glen is an area of outstanding beauty and picturesque walks, with an array of wildlife and flowers living alongside the paths, head up to the waterfalls, enjoy the views and relish in the fact that this area of tranquillity is on your doorstep.
East Belfast is fast becoming a sophisticated cosmopolitan, with many fascinating things to see and do. So the next time you feel yourself at a loose end, embrace the East.
Irish News Review 