Belfast - A Quick Guide By Dara Ward Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. The city is the largest in Northern Ireland and the second largest on the island of Ireland. Located amongst stunning scenery, the city is surrounded by the Glens of Antrim, Castlereagh Hills, Divis Mountain, Cavehill and Black Mountain. The city has a mild, though occasionally rainy climate, and it boasts a population of 276,459 inhabitants. The best selection of Hotels in Belfast can be found at this link which allows you book for up to 40 people! Belfast has been a settlement since Bronze Age times and examples of Iron Age hill forts can be seen within the city. It was during the 18th century that Belfast began to become the bustling, industrial city that it is today. Between 1969 and the late 1990’s, the city suffered under ‘The Troubles’ - sectarian conflict between republicans and loyalists. However, following a ceasefire by both sides, Belfast has become a popular tourist destination. Some notable attractions within the city include the impressive City Hall, which was opened in 1906 and is a stunning Classical Renaissance landmark. Resting close to City Hall is the equally impressive Saint Anne’s Cathedral and also the lovely Victorian-built, Belfast Central Library. Another Victorian-built landmark is the striking Queens University Belfast, which rests amongst beautiful gardens. Equally famed for its architecture is the Crown Liquor Saloon, which has remained unchanged since Victorian times and is charmingly gas-lit. For those interested in nature, Belfast is home the lovely Botanical Gardens, featuring a mixture of local, rare and tropical plants. Another popular outdoor attraction within the city is Belfast Zoo, which is involved in world-wide breeding programmes. Many visitors to the city follow the Mural Tour of large-wall political paintings that can be seen throughout the city. While, for those less politically-minded, the city offers an abundance of cafes, pubs and shops – particularly in Smithfield Market, where one-of-a-kind items are sold by independent retailers. Dara Ward is an expert on all things Irish and is based in Wexford Ireland. He operates over 20 Irish travel websites including Hotels in Cork and Hotels in Galway. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dara_Ward

Antrim is a lovely city on the northern tip of Northern Ireland. The area is home to an abundance of attractions to suit all tastes, and probably the most famous area is the Giant’s Causeway. This is a stunning stretch of basalt columns along the coastline. The city also boasts the fascinating Bushmill’s Distillery, and the lovely resort town of Ballycastle. Visitors should also take some time to explore the lovely Glenariff Forest Park, and the pretty village of Cushendall.

Antrim is located in the province of Ulster and it is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. Located on the northeastern coast, the county is home to a population of 566,000 inhabitants. The town of Antrim is a welcoming place, boasting plenty of lively pubs and quieter cafes. The town is home to attractions such as the impressive Shane’s Castle and Antrim Castle. The town also boasts some lovely round towers and a prehistoric monument known as the Witches’ Stone. Further a field, the Glens of Antrim offer stunning rugged landscape and plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching. The unique basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Bushmill’s distillery is another popular attraction within the county. Check out restaurants in Belfast or if you need any hotels in Antrim including Belfasts see the link provided.

Restaurants in Antrim offer visitors a delightful mixture of cuisines that are guaranteed to suit all tastes. Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland is located within Antrim, and this bustling city offers a huge variety of restaurants, from European to Middle Eastern, American to Asian. Much of County Antrim is located on the coast, and, not surprisingly, the area is famed for its magnificent fresh seafood. For those hoping to enjoy a drink after dinner, Antrim is home to Bushmills Distillery, which brews the legendary whiskey. Browse our selection of restaurants in Belfast here.

County Antrim boasts numerous attractions to suit all tastes. For anyone hoping for a peaceful break away from the bustle of city life, a trip to Rathlin Island could be just what the doctor ordered. The island is home to just 30 families, who maintain farming and fishing traditions. Boasting little more than a pub, a guesthouse, a café, a camping ground and a hostel, Rathlin Island is a quiet place with friendly locals and plenty of Irish hospitality. The stunning cliffs of Bull Point are home to large colonies of kittiwakes and the rare puffin.

Hotels in Belfast have substantially improved their services and facilities as well as their reputation over the past decade. Belfast has now become a chic and trendy city to visit or do business in. Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and was for years on all the newspapers and television stations for the wrong reasons. Today hower Belfast is a thriving city with lots to do and see. The best selection of Hotels in Belfast are available via this link. We would love to hear any comments or stories you may have on Belfast. Just post your comments below.