Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Missihippi]

i'm headed to Belfast during winter break to visit some distant family. Never been to ireland, and i'm fairly certain said family is kinda hermit. Having said that, i think it'll be a pleasant christmas and from what i've read, Belfast is a decent town.

Recommendations for things to do and see in those parts -- i guess stuff that's not obviously pointed out in wiki travel?

Also, best/cheapest way to get from Dublin to Belfast (the plane ticket is about 700,000 W cheaper to fly to dublin).

Thanks..

(ps. my trip will be 2 weeks long)

[candyteacher]

You can get either the bus to belfast from the airport for about 15euro single or get the train from dublin city center for probably double that. Personally I'd go for the bus option.

If your there a few days before christmas, you have to visit the christmas market at the town hall, its an awesome experience. As for tourist things, do a taxi tour of the murals and the falls/shankill areas. Visit the Titanic quarter, take a walk around Queens Uni, get a tour to the Giants Causeway etc.

If you don't mind leaving the family early, I'd suggest also spending two days in Dublin before you fly out. Visit the Guinness Brewry, Kilmainhem Jail, etc etc and that way you've done two cities on your trip.

Bear in mind that the weather will most likely be cold and wet. You'll enjoy Belfast its a nice city.

[Missihippi]

Just what i needed.. thanks! Unfortunately i can't get there until the 24th of december, so i'll miss the market.

About how long is the bus from dublin? Are the buses in fair shape?

[the ireland]

The buses are good. You can either tale an ulsterbus or an aircoach. Both are pretty comfortable but the seats don't recline all that far. Try get a set at the back beside the emergency exit then you will have loads of leg room.

The train network in Ireland is not very good, infact it's non existent outside of routes to Dublin. most people outside of the main cities use buses for public transport so it's nothing to worry about.

The buses take between 2 and 2 and a half hours and they go at least hourly or perhaps even more often.

I would recommend all of the things mentioned above. The belfast wheel is gone now (it was next to city hall and gave you a view of the city) however you can just go to the victoria shopping centre and go to the top of it where they have a look out point from the glass dome.

Take a walk down towards the docks too, the cranes from Harland and wolff (where titanic was built) are something to see to.

If you have a license I would recommend getting a rental car and travelling around the entire island, not just the north of Ireland. Rental cars are prob the only thing that is cheap in Ireland. It would allow you to see galway and perhaps go down to the cliffs of moher too. You can drive from belfast to the cliffs in about 5 hours. The great thing about Ireland is that it is so small you can get around it easily.

[Missihippi]

thanks for taking the time to reply.. they are both helpful. if you think of anything else lemme know

[beach_bum]

Hi,

The above two posters are bang on with the train and bus option for travelling down to Dublin. Belfast is a cool city- plenty to keep you occupied.

Im from Ireland and as the Ireland said renting a car is a great option if you have a licence- the West of Ireland is the must see in my eyes- the scenery is amazing, the craicis great and from a tourist point of view its probably one of the best places to go and see 'old postcard Ireland'. As far as rental cars beig cheap tho- Im not so sure- I'm heading home myself at Christmas and I've a car booked- I got mine for 260euro for 2weeks but I was lucky- next price up would have been 500+euro for two weeks. The website I used was http://www.dublinairportcarrental.com/ I know they have a website for Cork airport so Im sure theyprobably have one for Belfast Airport too- by far the best value I found!
G'luck!

[Missihippi]

Other than an obvious google search, where is a good event resource for Ireland? (big name concerts?)

Also.. New Years Eve.. where should i dial in the new year at? Dublin or Belfast would be acceptable, i should be able to get my hands on a rental car.

[fred zepplin]

Dublin for New Years

[the ireland]

I was in Belfast for the new years eve celebrations to ring in 2009. I went to city hall where they had a free concert, I wouldn't recommend Belfast.

Go to Dublin, you should have waaay more fun I'd imagine than you could ever have in Belfast.

[Yahowho]

Galway for New Years! Dublin is overrated..

[derbot]

Dublin's a cool city, but if you're on your own for New Years you might find it a bit impersonal. Your best bet would be Templebar. I would usually tell tourists not to get stuck there. But if you're there for a couple of nights only and on your own then that's the place to go. However, a night out in Dublin is not cheap.

Galway, on the other hand, is also a cool city but a lot smaller. You'll find it a lot more fun and welcoming if you're on your own. I don't know much about Belfast so can't recommend anything.

Just to warn you, Galway is a very popular spot for both Irish and international tourists, so if you do want to go there for New Years I would be sure to book somewhere to stay. My favourite chipper is in Galway too so I'm going to recommend it. It's called Vinny's and it's opposite the popular Roisin Dubh bar/venue. Don't bother with the burger; it's the chips and chicken you want. Just ask for a Snack Box

Also, be prepared for a big contrast in price for alcohol (among other things) between the North and South. And remember that they have different currencies.

As the others have said, you are definitely better travelling to Belfast by bus. To get the train you would have to travel out of the airport. I'm not sure where the nearest train station for Belfast is, but Christmas Eve is a busy day in Dublin. I would stay clear of the city if you intend travelling North as soon as you land.

Anyway, have fun in Ireland and don't buy any shamrock t-shirt.

[Missihippi]

Thanks everyone.. i leave christmas eve and i ended up getting a ticket directly to Belfast via Heathrow (although, heathrow has been closed due to snow -- hoping it clears up by friday).

I'll be travelling with my sister and mom, who are meeting me there. And we have some distant family there as well. We all like to party so don't hold back haha

As far as new years, we are going to play it by ear.. right now there is snow covering the roads so travelling outside of belfast will be difficult. If it clears up, then i'll definitely head south. Thanks for the bar suggestions, really helpful.