Outing to Belfast
OUTING TO BELFAST ON 2O MAY, 2008
The committee has planned a social outing to Belfast for Tuesday 20th May. There are no elaborate arrangements – if you wish to go by train for a day out, just show up. There are lots of things to do as well as share some time with other retirees as you wish.
Meet: 09.05 hrs. Connolly Station, Main Hall for 09.35 train to Belfast Central Railway Station arriving at 11.45 a.m.
Note: There is a shuttle bus from Central Station into Belfast city centre.
IMPORTANT: DON’T FORGET TO BRING:
1. Free Travel Pass.
2. ROI Senior Smart Pass (For free travel within Northern Ireland).
3. Dept. of Social & Family’ Affairs Rail Warrant (Form FT 100) for Free Cross Border Travel. This can be obtained in advance of travel at your local railway station and the completed form should be handed in to the ticket office when obtaining your rail ticket.
4. Sterling money for rneals and entrance fees, where appropriate.
Places to visit/things to do:
Take a bus tour of Belfast city in an open topped bus. There are 18 stops including
Living History Tour, Titanic Quarter, Crumlin Road Jail, Shankill Road, FaIls Road,
and Wall Murals. You can hop on and off at the various stops if you so wish. The full
tour, without hopping on and off takes 2 hours.
Cost: £9 (Senior Citizens rate). Tour frequency every 45-60 minutes,
The tour departs from Castle Place.
Visit Belfast Castle and Cave Kill Country Park Visitor Centre. Admission: Free. It is a 25 minute bus ride from city centre. It is a great place to sample excellent cuisine, historical atmosphere and beautiful gardens. Lunch is available between 12.30 p.m. and 3 pm. in the restaurant;
Cave Hill Country Park has a wealth of geological. archeological and botanical interest. Way-marked trails range from gentle strolls to challenging walks up to Cave Hill,
How to get to Belfast Castle Cave Hill Country Park: Travel on Metro Bus Service No.1 Get off at Strathmore Park stop for the Castle and Country Park.
Take Boat Trip on the river Lagan. Departures are from Donegal Quay Jetty N1 (beside Lagan Lookout Visitors Centre). Departures: 12.30, 14.00 and 15.30. Cost: £8 per person. Duration of boat trip: 75 minutes.
Visit the Linen Hall Library based in the city centre. It is Belfast’s oldest library. It houses the most renowned collections of Irish material in the world. Note: Admission and tours are free
Visit Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra - Cottages, schools, a church, a water powered mill and other buildings recreate early 20th century life in Ulster in a landscape extending over 60 acres.
The galleries of the transport museum display Ireland’s most comprehensive transport collection from horse drawn carts to Irish built motor cars.
Don’t miss your chance for a full motion flight simulator ride at X2 Flight Experience.
The tearoom is open daily.
How to get to Cultra:
Change trains at Central Station to the Bangor Line - there are trains every half hour . and get off at Cultra Station which is in close proximity to the transport museum. The train trip takes 13 minutes from Central Station to Cultra Halt. Note: When filling in your rail warrant put Cultra as your destination so you do not have to get a second ticket when arriving in Belfast.
TIMES OF TRAINS BACK TO DUBLIN FROM CENTRAL STATION:
1. 16.10 hrs arriving in Connolly Stn. at 18.20 hours.
2. 18.10 hrs arriving in Connolly Stn. at 20.20 hours.
Restaurants in Belfast City:
1 John Hewitt, Lower Donegall Street
2. The Northern Whig, Bridge Street just off High Street.
3. Nick’s Warehouse, Hill Street (a bit up market)
4. Jury’s Hotel, College Square
5. Rankins, Fountain Street (Café, soup, etc.)
6. The Crown Bar, Great Victoria Street (Belfast’s Victorian Pub) facing Europa Hotel. Note: Italian craftsmen created the interior of this architectural gem in 1855.
7. Robinson’s Bar- facing Europa Hotel
8. Apartment - 2 Donegal Square West located in the Scottish Provident Building.
9. McHugh’s Bar and Restaurant, 29-31 Queens Square- a short distance from Belfast City Hall is just yards from the Albert Clock, Custom House Square and Lagan Bus Centre.
NOTE:
1. Both the Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Museum are closed at present for redevelopment.
2. Café upstairs in Marks and Spencer serves salads, soup, sandwiches etc.
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