City Life

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. Its exuberant Victorian architecture is a reminder of the days when it was one of the world’s industrial power houses. The City Hall takes centre stage, but there are numerous other architectural delights to discover, like the Custom House, the exquisite Grand Opera House and a priceless time capsule, the Crown Bar. Two giant yellow cranes, known locally as Samson and Goliath, stand in the Harland & Wolff shipyard, once the largest shipyard in the world and home to the famous, and tragic, RMS Titanic. Specialist tours take visitors to the landmark sites involved in the design and construction of this renowned vessel.

The walled city of Derry, also known as Londonderry, has a tumultuous history that stretches back over 1,400 years. Fought over and besieged many times by the Irish and English, Derry’s four hundred year old walls, complete with original cannons, are among the best preserved city walls in Europe. Stroll along them at leisure, then visit the lovely Saint Columb’s Cathedral, or the magnificent Guildhall, whose gorgeous stained glass windows illustrate the city’s history.

The perfect way to get a real taste of Northern Ireland is to relax enjoying its fine food and drink. Numerous award winning restaurants combine the skills of our top chefs and the quality of our local produce to offer a truly memorable experience, served in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. This means that not only can the specific dietary requirements of athletes be catered for, but non-competing members of the team can indulge in all the culinary delightsand entertainment Northern Irelandhas to offer.When it comes to entertainment, Northern Ireland has a lively pub and club scene.So kick the night off by sipping cocktails in a trendy urban bar, or by savouring a well poured pint of Guinness in a traditional historic pub.

In the world of the arts, Northern Ireland offers theatre-lovers every kind of venue and experience. There are spectacular buildings like Belfast’s Waterfront Hall and Odyssey Arena, and the Millennium Forum in Derry, as well as old stalwarts such as the Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall, plus atmospheric venues like the Ardowen Theatre in Enniskillen and the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine.Add in the fact that this is one of the safest destinations in Europe, and it all makes for a truly relaxing experience.