Belfast's skyline

[Desmund]

Was in Belfast recently and noticed that while being noticably smaller than Dublin (the city centre is tiny) it seems to have a lot more taller buildings than Dublin.

Would I be correct in assuming that there are no height restrictions in place in Belfast?

[Starch]

You can be correct in assuming one thing......that people can put up what they like

[N3]

Belfast is certainly no better off for its tall buildings. I do not just mean the sixties and seventies stuff, that sandy colured lump behind the Waterfront Hall is really awful, the re-clad Europa eugh ! It certainly illustrates the point that tall buildings need to be of a very high standard of architectural quality,because they are so bloody visible.

[sherrioverseas]

I'm planning a weekend up there soon, so I'll be on the lookout for the "lump" and "small but tall"! Or has my first time visit been tainted already...

[Desmund]

It shouldn't really be tainted. As, the city centre is architecturally quite nice and (contrary to popular belief) the people are quite friendly!

One thing though, if you wander off the beaten track and end up in a local housing estate and a gang of people come up to you and ask you your religion; don't say Catholic or Protestant as you won't know what their persuasion they might be. The "wrong answer" could involve you parting company with your kneecaps! Don't say atheist either, because then they'll ask you if you're a Protestant Atheist or a Catholic one! Just turn and run!!

If you follow these rules, you'll be OK!
Also, a culinary must is an "Ulster Fry" It's just like an Irish breakfast, except they've got what is called tatty bread. Potatoe cakes to non Ulster folks!

[Paul Clerkin]

Belfast is a very friendly place in general.
Some fine buildings in the city centre without having to wonder anywhere dodgy.

http://www.archeire.com/buildings_ireland/antrim/belfast/index.html

[StephenC]

Desmund - enough of that old protestant/catholic gumph... Its not THAT bad in Belfast and you are probably safer there than in our lovely city.

[Desmund]

Stephen C.

Ah C'mon! That was meant purely tongue in cheek and was not intended to cause offense.
If anyone has taken any offence to this, I apologise. But to use a well known Ulster phrase "Ah catch yerself on would ye" ;-)

[Luke Gardnier]

For a small city Belfast has great infrastructure in the form of city bypasses, rail-links and two Airports with the City Airport linked to Central Station. And some great buildings/venues old and new from the modern Waterfront Hall to the unique Crown Liquor Saloon at the start of the Golden Mile from the Europa Hotel down to Shaftesbury Square. Welll worth a visit if you have never been.

[Starch]

it's far from 'golden'.....needs serious investment........agh shaftsbury sqaure.......Belfast's answer to picadily circus...with that big TV......still it's a real dodgy place...decrepid bldgs....there's one big orange motorway light in the middle...footpaths a mess, amusements and insurance offices.....no other street lights, it's uncanny though walk a few 100m up the road and your in the rich town around Queen's.....belfast's like that, a wasteland and treasure box at the same time

[sherrioverseas]

I'll certainly have a full plate when I get there then! And what a great preview that pic is.

Good tip on the housing estate etiquette. I'd be sure to get myself into some uncomfortable position, without even realizing it.

[Starch]

lots of art deco in Belf.....as obbsessed by in http://www.artdecoireland.com ...worth[/url] a look.....head for south belfast too....beautiful part of the city

[Paul Clerkin]

sherrioverseas, did you go down to Belfast yet? Did you check out any of the buildings on the Archeire Belfast section?

[sherrioverseas]

I was planning to go this weekend, but am waiting on a friend's schedule to clear.

Had not had a chance to review Archeire/Belfast information yet - struggling with this pitiful internet connection... Now I've got some extra time though.