For my final day in the Emerald Isle back in April 2024, I took a day tour bus to Northern Ireland (see more day trip ideas from Dublin here!). I will be splitting my Northern Ireland day content into two posts: one of my experience at Giant’s Causeway (coming soon!) and another (which I am sharing today!) of my experience at the capital city of Belfast. Honestly, Belfast, Northern Ireland has seen its share of turmoil over the years and is one of those cities that I was initially apprehensive about visiting, BUT, when there even if only for a brief few hours, I was super impressed. The people of Belfast while they’ve been through a lot via Northern Ireland’s history, have a lot to share given their experiences and a beautiful capital city that I am blessed to have visited!

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While in Dublin, I was debating as to whether or not I wanted to go on a day trip to Galway or Belfast. I debated and debated and debated. I asked around at the hotel lobby and with my fellow Instagram besties (shoutout to y’all!!!) as to which city I should visit during my weeklong voyage to Ireland. And, in typical Katie fashion, after a few days of debate again and again and again, I landed on a day trip tour bus to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway to get a taste of both the coastal life and city life of Northern Ireland!

Planning a trip to Ireland?! Or, are you interested in learning more about travel to Ireland?! Learn more about my additional Ireland experiences in Dublin, Connemara, Glendalough, Cork County, Dublin’s Trinity College’s The Book of Kells Experience, and The Cliffs of Moher.

A Few Hours in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Tour Operator: Finn McCool Tours operated this incredible Northern Ireland day tour. One of the things that I learned during our tour, where Finn McCool graciously took care of our transportation via charter bus, is that you don’t need your passport when on a tour bus and crossing the border into Northern Ireland (which is technically a part of the United Kingdom!). Our tour guide, while I forget his name, was lovely and extremely knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the stories of Northern Ireland and his family’s experiences there as well. Truly, his insight and perspective into his father studying in Belfast during a time of turmoil in the city was eye-opening into some of the domestic conflicts that took place there fairly recently. The guide’s experiences and stories truly made me realize how far Northern Ireland has come since the Protestant and Catholic conflicts from the 1968-1998 (more on that below!) yet there’s still always room for improvement. In the meantime, learn more about Finn McCool Tours here.

About:

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is apart of the United Kingdom, sitting on a part of the Emerald Isle aka Ireland. Ireland is a predominantly Catholic nation, whereas, Northern Ireland, a British territory has a Protestant majority. Though Northern Ireland has a Protestant majority, it does have a Catholic minority and hence caused conflicts between the residents: a Protestant majority who wanted Northern Ireland to remain apart of the United Kingdom and a Catholic minority who wanted Northern Ireland to reunify with Ireland. From 1968-1998, Belfast as the heart of Northern Ireland, was central to these secular conflicts that created unrest worldwide. As a result of these conflicts, over 3,500 people died with many more people injured and a heightened level of trauma, suffering, and anxiety face and linger amongst the people of Northern Ireland to this day. It is said, according to the tour guide, that the people of Northern Ireland are known to have a darker sense of humor as a way to cope with the things that they’ve been through over the decades. And, in some towns, such as Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the Catholic people and Protestant people remain separated to some extent. I find it important to share the history of Northern Ireland as it shows the power that conflict has in our world as a whole and especially in Northern Ireland and with their people and culture. While a small part of the world, a brutal 3-decades long conflict is still significant as shown throughout Northern Ireland.

What I Did:

We only had 2 hours to spend in Belfast, SO I primarily spent my time in Belfast in the city center. Two of the most well-known places in Belfast is the Titanic Museum and the Belfast Murals (which I would’ve visited if I had more time) that depict the significance of the political uprising in Northern Ireland. Although not this time around to see more of Belfast, I did enjoy my time in city center. City center is where the gorgeous Belfast City Hall is amongst some lovely local businesses which I will share more about below!

Belfast City Hall (Donegal Square North): Located in the center of Belfast, Belfast City Hall is a civic building offering free exhibitions and entry on its first floor to all guests. The exhibitions primarily showcased the centuries-long history of Belfast to today. And, one of the exhibitions showcased the many women in leadership roles amongst Belfast’s and Northern Ireland as a whole’s government – HOW EMPOWERING! At the same time, another part of the exhibition showcased city keys from other cities across the world that had leaders from them come to visit Belfast. Through it all though, the architecture was AMAZING (!!!!!) throughout the interiors and exteriors of Belfast City Hall. I was truly impressed by the Belfast City Hall in its true beauty and glory.

Sawers (Fountain Centre on College Street): Sawers came recommended by the tour guide as a lovely local deli and market. I find it tough to find local markets and delis like these that aren’t owned by a huge chain. However, I adored the circa-1897 Sawers deli that serves locals and tourists, alike! I ended up getting a lovely wrap and salt and vinegar chips to enjoy on the bus ride home, along with some tea for family members as gifts!

Waterstone’s (Fountain Street): I popped into Waterstone’s having had some extra time on my hands before the tour bus came to pick us all up to head back to Dublin. Waterstone’s is ADORABLE and showcases local author’s works all across Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom as a whole! I NEVER go to bookstores anymore it feels like, BUT I LOVED my time at Waterstone’s browsing amongst all of the lovely books (and additional merchandise) on displays. The staff at Waterstone’s were ultra-friendly, too!

Pink City Buses: ANDDD, last but not least, one of the coolest parts of Belfast is …. The PINK BUSES!!!! The city’s Metro Network launched on February 7, 2005 via a rebranding of the Citybus Network. The pink color is distinct to showcase that they are uniquely Northern Irish, not red as in apart of England/London via the broader United Kingdom. These pink buses are also … double decker, which is SOOOO cool!!! I adored these PINK buses and they make Northern Ireland uniquely its own lovely place!

Wrap-Up:

Even though I was debating on even going to Northern Ireland, I am SOOOO glad I did! I almost just went to Giant’s Causeway via the Northern Ireland coastline, but I am SO glad I chose to go to Belfast, too. Belfast gave me a true taste to Northern Ireland and impressed me beyond words. Belfast is definitely an underrated gem, too. I definitely am honored to have gone and learned about its history, amongst its conflict and turmoil over the previous recent decades, and hope others get the chance to become aware of it too. Northern Ireland has been through a lot but it is definitely one worth learning more about and visiting if you’re ever in Ireland. I am SO glad I went and hope others get to learn more about and see this lovely place (including Belfast), too!

XOXO – Katie <3