Belfast

[Khandro]

I've never been there, but I've just been reading about it, and it seems strange that its 'main tourist attraction' is the Titanic Museum (the Titanic was of course built there). But does it not seem strange that Belfast takes such pride in having constructed one of the world's best known disasters ?

If that wasn't enough, the city's airport is named after the footballer George Best, whose brilliant early career was scuppered by another disastrous collision - that of alcohol.

I hasten to add, that I have met such nice people from that city.

Is it worth a visit?

[Khandro]

Wow! jenny.

[Bobbisox1]

JJ, I meant your brothers retort , not what happened to you, that was horrific

[jennyjoan]

LOL - retort from was me - brother was the colour of death (pale).

He thought I was truly dead so he was looking for a corpse -

[Bobbisox1]

And here you are bright eyed and bushy tailed to tell the tale, Thank God

[jennyjoan]

In 1972 when it happened - you were shot at random. I was from a passing car - probably UDA at the time. But sure the lady in question (mother) was distracted - "oh my wee love (after a month on crutches) - think you need to go back to work - which I did. You just got on with it.

[jennyjoan]

sorry Khandro regressing

[Bobbisox1]

That’s amazing JJ

[barry1010]

Kustard, as it is so long since I was in Belfast I can't recommend anywhere to visit.

[Ken4155]

JJ, i was billeted in the old Grand Central Hotel on all my 3 tours of Belfast when i was in the forces. If a bomb exploded within a 5 mile radius, the windows shook and dust would fall from the ceilings. We all believed that one day the building would come crashing down around our ears:-)
As for the Europa, despite it being targeted by bombers on what seemed like a weekly basis, it was considered a 'safe' place for us squaddies to occasionally visit for a few hours 'down' time.

[sandyRoe]

The John Hewitt bar and restaurant in the Cathedral Quarter has folk music sessions. You'd need to check their website for times.
Game of thrones fans can take a tour of of the locations where some scenes were recorded.

[KUSTARD]

Thanks Sandy. That answer was a bit more cheerful!!! I am rapidly going off the trip. It seems the only thing I can do is go on the tour bus if I have a lot of money and a bullet-proof vest LOL!!!!

[jennyjoan]

Yes get to duke of York. Commercial court. Ye olde worlde with cobbled streets and fabulous wee everything

[fiveleaves]

The Titanic Exhibition is a very well put together and fascinating to go around. Well worth 2 to 3 hours of your time. The building itself is also worth the trip
Never had a problem in Belfast, been on the Shankill Road etc. As soon as you open your month people realise you are not a local

[237SJ]

Used to stay in the Europa/Forum or whatever it changed it's name to. We used to have to pass through a checkpoint to get into it. Eventually there was no checkpoint and anyone could just walk/drive in. I heard that was because they had started paying protection money to the IRA. Don't know how true that is.

[jennyjoan]

all the bad things belong to the past - well some of them. I know of a lady of 104 years old who was burnt out of her home and she said to me "wish they would forget all about that".

My sister was standing next to a builder responsible for building the burnt out Bombay Street and he said "Ach where is the wee deaf girl". She said "there she is an oul woman now LOL".