Blogs from Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 29

I ALWAYS PASS THESE PLACES EVERYTIME I visit the Queen's University to watch international films at the Film Theatre and to swim at the Physical Education Centre (just at the far end side of the Botanic Gardens). The area is commonly known as the 'Queen's Quarter' offering mix of traditional and contemporary cultural and artistic atmosphere, including Victorian and Edwardian buildings, and modern restaurants, clubs, and cafes. The Queen's Uni is the oldest tertiary institution in Northern Ireland founded in 1845 and established by Queen Victoria. It offers a diverse of courses both undergrad and postgrad studies. It has a Visitor's Centre located in the redbrick Lanyon Building which is a focal point for tourists to get valuable materials about the place and offers some gift and souvenir items. And at the back of the ... read more

LAST APRIL (2007), ANOTHER MEMORABLE EVENT was held at the city hall - a week of Titanic celebrations. This was the 4th year that the city hall held this exhibition in commemoration of the Titanic. This exhibition presented the development of the ship - from construction until the present day and beyond. There were images, artifacts, talks/seminars and stories presented during the whole week of celebration. This is the main reason why I decided to explore (since I was not able to attend last year centennial celebration) unguided this Portland stone made political icon of Belfast which was opened in 1906. The construction started in 1896 with the cost of £360,000. I always visit the city centre during weekend and not really bothered to visit the city hall ground and to see its grand interiors. ... read more

We took a couple of days to drive from Cork to Belfast in a hire car with Patto and Jen. On the first day we did a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory where we saw craftsmen blow, cut and engrave the crystal. We also headed to Kilkenny but unfortunately when we went to a local pub it appeared they were all our of their signature brew! We had a Smithwick instead which is made at the same factory and similar to Guinness but easier to drink. We stopped at a small town called Athlone for the night at a local B&B. The next day we went to the 5000 year old Newgrange passage tomb, where the sun shines in only on the morning of the winter solstice and the hill of Tara, which didn’t ... read more

Well lads n' lassies, I can't believe that this time next week the big adventure begins! It just seems like yesterday that I was thinking about doing it and now its almost time to do it! My heads pickled already deciding what I'll actually bring, whats necessary and what can be left behind. So much to pack in such a small space! Whats a girl to do??? Its time to leave behind the luxuries and get down and dirty!!! (shut up Johnny!) Something tells me I'll never be the same again... (Afro pending!) Today the countdown began as I started my final week at work...was startin to feel a bit sad thinking about saying goodbye to everyone when I was presented with the ultimate going away gift... a t-Shirt saying "World Tour Down Under, 07!" very ... read more

So the flights are booked and we leave Belfast on 21 June - 18 weeks today, not that we're counting. Couldn't leave before my birthday, who'd have known where to send my presents?? Amanda... read more