Till Mueller
fd17e800d1
- Belfast: star Black Cab Tour as a highlight with stronger description - WAW overview: add east coast extension note (Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow) - Dublin: add Newgrange day trip option (County Meath, 45min from Dublin)
63 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
63 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# Belfast, Northern Ireland
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> **Type:** City destination + ferry arrival
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> **Recommended stay:** 1–2 days
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> **Best for:** History, Titanic, murals, starting point for Wild Atlantic Way north
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## Why Via Belfast
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Arriving in Belfast (from Isle of Man via Steam Packet or Stena Line) puts you in Northern Ireland, which gives you the option to start the Wild Atlantic Way from its northern end — Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula — heading south. This is the more dramatic and less touristy direction.
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## Must-See
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### Titanic Belfast
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The world's largest Titanic visitor experience, built on the exact slipways where the ship was constructed. Even if you're not a Titanic enthusiast, the building itself (angular steel "hull" design) and the exhibition quality are exceptional.
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- **Allow:** 2–3 hours
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- **Book ahead:** [titanicbelfast.com](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)
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### Cathedral Quarter & City Hall
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Belfast's historic centre, with Victorian City Hall (free to enter), pubs, and the Cathedral Quarter's street art scene.
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### Falls Road & Shankill Road Murals
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The political murals in West Belfast are one of the most vivid open-air documents of the Troubles. ⭐ **Take a Black Cab Tour** — led by people from the communities themselves, giving a balanced and personal account of the conflict from both sides. One of the most memorable things you can do in Ireland. 1.5–2h, bookable on the street or in advance.
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### St George's Market
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Victorian covered market, open Friday–Sunday. Best on Saturday morning: food, antiques, live music.
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### Titanic Quarter & SS Nomadic
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The SS Nomadic is the last remaining White Star Line vessel — the tender that ferried first-class passengers to the Titanic. Moored near the museum.
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## Day Trip: Causeway Coast
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If you have a second day, the Causeway Coast east of Belfast is unmissable.
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- ⭐ **Giant's Causeway** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns from volcanic activity. Can be busy in summer — arrive early.
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- **EV note:** The Giant's Causeway visitor centre car park has EV charging — top up while you walk the causeway.
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- **Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge** — Suspension bridge to a tiny island; dramatic coastal views
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- **Dunluce Castle** — Ruined clifftop castle, one of Ireland's most dramatic
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- **Bushmills Distillery** — Oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608)
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---
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## EV Charging in Belfast
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Belfast has solid rapid charging infrastructure.
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- **Applegreen / ESB ecars** rapid chargers in the city centre and at major retail parks
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- **Titanic Quarter:** ESB charger near the museum — convenient if you're visiting anyway
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- **Sprucefield Retail Park** (south of city, M1): fast chargers on the route toward Dublin/Donegal
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- Treat Belfast as a full recharge before heading into the sparse Donegal network
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---
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## Practical Info
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- **Currency:** British Pounds (GBP) — Northern Ireland is part of the UK
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- **Note:** Republic of Ireland uses Euros (EUR); the border is invisible but the currency changes
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- **Driving:** Left side (same as rest of UK/Isle of Man)
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- **Ferry from Isle of Man:** Steam Packet Company Douglas → Belfast (seasonal); check [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com). Stena Line also serves Belfast from Liverpool/Cairnryan.
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## Onward: Into Ireland
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From Belfast, cross the border into the Republic (invisible since the Good Friday Agreement — no passport control). Head northwest toward Donegal to start the Wild Atlantic Way at its northern end.
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See `06-wild-atlantic-way.md`.
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## Links
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- [Visit Belfast](https://visitbelfast.com)
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- [Titanic Belfast](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)
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- [Causeway Coast](https://causewaycoastandglens.com)
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