Northern Ireland
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Northern Ireland - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Grand Opera House
Golden MileShows from all over Ireland and Britain—and sometimes farther afield—play at this beautifully restored Victorian theater which reopened at the end of 2020 following a major refurbishment. Though it has no resident company of its own, major West End musicals and plays pass through, plus the occasional opera or ballet. It's worth attending a show just to enjoy the gigantic and splendid opera house itself. The Baby Grand—a theater-within-a-theater—hosts comedy, live music, and educational workshops, as well as film and special events. Guided backstage tours are available, mostly on alternate Saturday mornings (10:30--11:30) and cost £8.50; check the website for details.
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2. Lyric Theatre
University AreaOne of Northern Ireland's most prized cultural organizations, the Lyric presents a diverse repertory of classical, popular, and contemporary drama, frequently showcasing the work of local playwrights. With its angular brick bulk topped by three distinctive sloping roofs, the theater is an impressive modernist achievement. The Lyric's famed patron Liam Neeson made his 1976 stage debut here in Brian Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come! Strong emphasis is placed on the use of natural light, with a glass-walled Long Hall running the length of the first floor and looking out over the River Lagan. The main auditorium is lined with iroko wood and has 33 different styles of brick, all specially fired so each one is complete and uncut. In addition to the main 390-seat venue, presided over by the Danske Bank Stage, the Naughton Studios, a theater space, holds up to 125 people. In the foyer look out for the stunning wall portraits of local actors, playwrights, and poets painted by the renowned Belfast artist Colin Davidson.
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3. Belfast Waterfront
Central DistrictThis world-class performance venue houses a 2,200-seat concert hall (for ballet and classical, rock, and Irish music) and a 500-seat studio space (for modern dance, jazz, and experimental theater). From the Waterfront bar you can have a pint and enjoy the river views before or after your culture fix. The main box office for booking events here is based at the Ulster Hall in Bedford Street.
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4. Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
West BelfastDuring 2021, this cosmopolitan arts center celebrated 30 years since it opened its doors in an area of the city that was seriously lacking visitor attractions. Promoting Gaeilge (Irish language) and culture, the center hosts exhibitions, book launches, concerts, theater, and poetry readings. Two choirs—one from a children's drama school and the other from resident theater company Aisling Ghéar—are based here. For travelers interested in the Gaeltacht experience, this is a great place to start. On the ground floor, the Dillon Gallery, named after the Falls Road artist Gerard Dillon, who spent much time painting in Connemara in the West of Ireland, mounts shows by top local and international artists. A shop, An Ceathrú Póilí (The Fourth Policeman), sells Irish-language and English books as well as crafts and the all-important West Belfast Mural Map. Also here are a tourist information point, Wi-Fi access, and Restaurant Bia. Ask for information about the Gaeltacht Way, a 4-km (2½-mile) walking route that takes in the major Irish language-related sites of the area.
View Tours and Activities216 Falls Rd., Belfast, Co. Down, BT12 6AH, Northern Ireland028-9096–4180 -
5. Queen's Film Theatre (QFT)
University AreaBelfast's main art cinema shows domestic and foreign movies on its two screens.
20 University Sq., Belfast, Co. Down, BT7 1PA, Northern Ireland028-9097–1097 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. SSE Arena
Titanic QuarterThe Belfast Giants hockey team is the main tenant of the 10,000-seat SSE Arena, but Northern Ireland's biggest indoor venue also hosts rock, pop, and classical concerts. The box office for tickets opens one hour before each event or you can book tickets online. The adjacent SSE Pavilion complex has bars, restaurants, shops, and nightclubs.
2 Queen's Quay, Belfast, Co. Down, BT3 9QQ, Northern Ireland -
7. The Crescent Arts Centre
University AreaBased in a beautifully restored rambling stone building—a former girls' high school—the Crescent presents an all-year-round series of events. Experimental dance and theater, concerts, and workshops are all part of the program. The center also hosts the Belfast Book Festival (in the second week of June) during which writers participate in lively talks, lectures, and readings. Exhibitions are held in the upstairs gallery. Light meals and snacks are available at lunchtime in the Pantry Café, where storyboards tell the history of the building and famous locals connected to it. Nature note: between May and July, common swifts fly in from southern Africa to nest above the center's stone walls. Special "swift bricks" have been installed to provide nesting sites.
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8. Ulster Hall
Central DistrictThe historic Ulster Hall (it once hosted Rachmaninov) is the permanent home of the Ulster Orchestra. The classical music season runs here from September through April. Concerts are mostly held on Fridays, but you can call or check online ( www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk) to learn about other dates, free open rehearsals, and 50-minute lunchtime concerts. Apart from classical, the hall presents rock, folk, traditional Irish, blues, jazz, and other forms, along with comedy and cabaret acts. With its superb acoustics, Ulster Hall provides the perfect listening and foot-tapping experience.
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