In 2004 Isle of Man opened the Villa Marina and Gardens. Featuring an arena, a theatre, intimate…read moreconcert halls, cinema and a children's play. Parking can be a challenge.

The Gaiety Theatre was built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house…read moreand theatre. The shell of the Old Pavillion was used and the Gaiety built within the shell. In 1976 restoration began to return the building to as near to its original appearance as possible, choosing the original paint colours, wallpaper, and carpeting to replicate its 1900 opening condition. The stage machinery in the theatre is amongst the most complete and unusual in any theatre in the world. Built at the end of the Victorian era, one of the traps, known as a 'Corsican Trap', is now unique in the world, being the only surviving example. The Theatre is today considered one of Frank Matcham's finest surviving Theatres. The Tour is $12 and it last just over 2 hours. Worth every penny. You will hear about the history whilst sitting in the auditorium, hear about the design details, stand on the stage and hear about stage management, go below the stage and see the demon and Corsican traps. We climbed to the top of the balcony seats which was a little sickening and then even higher to the gallery. The views are fantastic no matter where you sit.

History and modern clash here in the Cathedral Quarter which is in the shadow of Belfast's Saint…read moreAnne's Cathedral. I spent most of my time along Hill Street but there's more. The narrow cobblestone alleyways are lined with classic pubs, fashionable bars and a spectrum of restaurants for different tastes and budgets. Many of the walls here are covered with street art, either sanctioned or unsanctioned. This makes for a colorful (colourful?) tour as you stumble from one drinking establishment to the next. Thankfully, my hotel was not too far away from Hill Street so I didn't have to stumble too far after enjoying drinks in the Dirty Onion and the Dark Horse the Garrick bar and the Duke of York. Lots of traditional Irish music, some whiskey, some Guinness and more. Don't miss the Yardbird which smelled amazing with their rotisserie chicken cooking. [Review 1994 of 2024 - 896 in United Kingdom - 23016 overall]

It has become a trend of modern times to quarter off cities into distinct areas. A technique to…read moreimprove the tourist experience and enhance city environments for locals. Some commentators criticise this, pointing to gentrification as a side effect of such urban planning. However, Belfast as a city emerging from decades of turmoil due to The Troubles, needed urban improvement more than any other UK city. The Cathedral Quarter has given Belfast an area to be proud of and I personally think it's brilliant. With cobbled streets, the continental feel of St Anne's Square, street art, The MAC, Black Box, Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast Print Workshop, Duke of York, 2Taps, Coppi, The Merchant and many more pubs, restaurants, independent shops and galleries the Cathedral Quarter brings a long awaited vibrancy to Belfast. It's my favourite area in Belfast to hang out and relax with friends and family. An area buzzing with people, music and culture which makes me proud of my city. Also don't miss it on Culture Night which is an event occurring annually in September. On this one night, the best night of the year for Culture Vultures, Cathedral Quarter abounds with live art, music, performance, dance, fire, colour and entertainment that will make you glad to be alive. You would be a fool to miss it - and bring the kids as it's family friendly up until 9pm.

Great artwork of a 33ft long by artist John Kindness. This fish is a ceramic tile and located at…read morethe bank of Lagan River. It's very noticeable and well created. Glad that I visited.

We live laugh love the salmon of knowledge!!! Big Fish was a huge highlight of the trip, even…read morethough we only got to see it at night because of our timing.

The Somme heritage centre is an experience you will not forget celebrating the glorious history of…read moreIrelands war effort during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The centre is educational and informative and hosts many school visits throughout the year. You will feel your brain expand upon entering the building and you will be left with a sense of pride as you march out of the Somme Heritage Centre. "The battle of the Somme resulted in 25,000 casualties and many of those casualties were Northern Irish and from 3 local volunteer Divisions: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division. Tour guides will bring the visitor back in time to 1910 where they learn about the Home Rule Crisis, recruiting and training of men and life in the trenches. Reconstructed trenches of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The Great war is discussed and every aspect will be analysed. The tours are extremely interactive, this is not your normal museum. After visiting I felt appreciative of the war effort and educated as to what those involved went through on a daily basis. If this is the only function of the Somme heritage centre then it is a good thing. There is a café and a Somme Heritage centre gift shop on site, you could easily get caught up in the history and spend the whole day at the centre.

I've lived in Northern Ireland for 17 years and never visited here before however as it's the 100…read moreyear anniversary and I had family visiting I thought I would give it a go The entrance fee for an adult is £6.50 with the option of a guided tour, as this doesn't cost any extra I would highly recommend that you go around with the guide rather than on your own It's not the largest of exhibitions however the guides are knowledgeable and give you a great insight into the history Whether you live in Northern Ireland or you're visiting this is a great place to visit although there is a bus stop close by its much more accessible by car and there is plenty of free parking

Pigstock is a festival that is really up and coming on the Northern Ireland Calendar, and with its…read morewonderful name why shouldn't it! The festival has been running for the last 3 years, and each year has seen a step up in both the professionalism and popularity of the event. At what other festival around does part of the admission fee help fund the open fire pig roast for everyone to feast on to line their stomach before the inevitable drink and moshing bonanza that will end up having your stomach acting like it is blender? The music showcases the best of local Northern Irish bands, both established and up and coming, with last year including local stalwarts A Plastic Rose and the great newbies Key Of Atlas! You can either camp or go just for the music, but for only a fiver more and a whole nights more rowdy banter, the only choice has to be the camping! My good friend Jamie's uncle helps run this and there is so much passion here for local music, I can;t recommend it enough.Be warned though, if you are looking for a good night's sleep head elsewhere: this one gets rowdy! So my advice next May is to get yourself down to Pigstock and you will be as happy as a Pig in...... well, you know the rest!

Set in Delamont Park near Strangford Lough (the sound blasted loud and clear down by the Lough…read moreaccording to people who were there), Willowstone has a nice intimate little setting, a Walled Garden, an art areas (throwing paint is very therapeutic) and a stage shaped like a castle! It is a really great place for a festival, and this year really built on the success of the first year with great local acts like Panama Kings and Cashier No. 9, and local heros the Answer headlining. The tickets are reasonably priced, with £32 for a nights camping very reasonable! There is a nice relaxed and unpretentious vibe; everyone is here to have a good time together, not to pose and cause trouble! I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all to practice safe sun while festivaling- wear sunscreen and a hat, enjoy the shade and drink water! As for the other safety tips for visits, adhere to the wise words of the famous Tim Westwood- strap it up before you slap it up!

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as part of a community photographic initiative. It now acts as…read morea gallery / exhibition area for photographers with an emphasis on commissioning and a view to publishing new work. It is an extensive gallery which also runs a community outreach programme . Their aim is to help people to learn from and understand their community through photography and they offer a range of courses and developmental programmes. Belfast Exchange is the archive programme compiled of over half a million images collected over the last 30 years in Belfast. These are a great and interesting insight in to Belfast life and events over the past years. Call in to the gallery, or to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to see the archive of photographs. You never know, you might spot some one you know! This is an invaluable part of our history which should be cherished and supported. As far as the gallery goes, most of the time I've been in I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with the work they've decided to show, but that's just my taste. On occasions there's been pictures that have blown me away, that's more a rarity though. The gallery has great potential for doing some amazing things but I think its stuck in a bit of a rut as far as choice and selection is concerned. Their concept of the community gallery is a great idea; I just wish they could carry it all through properly.

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as a community based arts initiative. The photographers who…read morefounded Belfast Exposed wanted to use the art form of photography as a way to break down barriers in Belfast and the rest of the world. Since then, Belfast Exposed has been holding art exhibitions, community events and also training and development classes for those looking to learn the art form of photography. The gallery exhibition changes every couple of months and hosts a fantastic collection of work from Belfast, Ireland and beyond. Their web site holds a treasure trove of archival material from Belfast and Northern Ireland's past.