Belfast/ Waterford

streaker

Girlfriends birthday coming up,

Torn between going to Belfast or Waterford, just wondering what peoples opinions are?

I know its too polor extremes, but just bought a car and its a good excuse to hit the road!!

JæKæ

If you haven't been to either, I'd say Waterford. Nicer, more relaxed area.
Belfast has a bit of tension in the air, although the place itself is real nice. People are rough round the edges there, there's a bit of unease around.

There's a few scangers in Waterford alright, but same as any Irish town these days. Nice countryside and coastal areas nearby too.

(if you do decide on Belfast though, go to ebay, and search for 'belfast radisson', pick up a few cheap nights there. All you can eat buffet breakfast is the unreal value)

Sully

From Waterford myself, and its a nicer area to be going. With places like Lismore, Dunmore East, Bunmahon etc. surrouding the city - tis a lovely area to go.

You could stay out in Tramore and take up a few activites in the town and surrounding area. Not an awful lot since its low season (not really low season just yet either, as its the christmas period). Have a look at a site I did for the town, http://www.discovertramore.ie. There isnt much out there promoting Waterford City & County, which is a shame. Discover Ireland (http://www.discoverireland.ie) have a basic section for you to look at for more info on other areas surrounding Waterford.

charba

I've never been to Waterford but Belfast is amazing!

I go to Belfast about 4-5 times a year.
You can walk along the river and its really nice. The odyssey is great and if your going soon the ice hockey season is on and its pretty cheap to go to.
Queens University is fab and the botanic gardens which are really nice to walk around are close by.
There is the new "Belfast eye" beside Donegal square (can't wait to get on it) its similar to the London eye.
Bus tour goes to
Stromant Castle. It is one of the most amazing buildings I have ever seen, though I doubt you could get into it without being on the tour bus.
Falls Road it takes you into the heart of the trouble and you get to see how both the prodestant's and Catholics live and some brilliant artwork

Belfast is great and I'd go there. My OH brought me there for the first time for my birthday a couple of years ago.

Pete4779

A place like Dunmore East can be quite nice in Waterford, but the town itself is populated by idiots every weekend, it's a complete mess of kebabs and beer, as bad as say Swansea.

I've only been to Belfast a few times but it's a much more modern city, and it basically *is* a city, there is simply more to do. You'd be as likely to get trouble in Waterford city on a Saturday night as you would in Belfast.

Another place sort of in Waterford is Lismore, which is a fantastic spot. County Waterford = much better than the city but overall Belfast would be a lot more interesting, like a mini-Dublin.

ems_12

Belfast!

Tons of things to do: walks (Crawfordsburn is gorgeous, Lady Dixon Pk, along the Lagan, Belfast castle), the zoo, ice skating, cinemas, bowling, shopping, ice hockey games, sightseeing.

You shouldn't come across any tension - stay in the city centre (you'll have no reason to venture into "bad" areas anyway), and if you want to go visit all the murals and things, just take a tour instead of bringing the car. That and don't voice opinions on politics etc when you don't know what company you're in.

Nightlife is great, theres lots of clubs to choose from and even more bars for a few drinks beforehand. Clubs: Ollies, Potthouse, La Lea, The Box, Limelight, Whites, Stiff Kitten, the Bot..... Depends on your taste and what day you're going.

Places to eat - there's so many! My favourites are Zen, Lolita, Fat Budda, but you won't be stuck for choice

Places to stay: Belfast has the usual hotels - holiday inn, radisson, jurys, etc, but also some nice B+Bs handy to centre in the university area - look towards Malone Rd, Lisburn Rd etc.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your trip

sheliainwex

wexford is the venue for any good old party

dumbyearbook

Have you considered Clifden? there is a lot to be said for the west coast.

Beautiful coastline rolling hills a few pints down the pub tottally romantic.

Other venues id suggest include Blessington or maybe Tullow in Carlow another nice spot.

fricatus

Pete4779 wrote: »

A place like Dunmore East can be quite nice in Waterford, but the town itself is populated by idiots every weekend, it's a complete mess of kebabs and beer, as bad as say Swansea.

Unlike Belfast, where well dressed, civilised inhabitants sit out on restaurant terrazzas into the early hours, sipping wine, eating tapas and smoking gitanes.

Ever been in a chipper in Shaftesbury Square (near the Manhattan) at 2 in the morning? Ever been to Kilkenny? Galway? Temple (you're) Bar(red)?

Pete4779 wrote: »

Another place sort of in Waterford is Lismore...

Sort of? :rolleyes:

MrJoeSoap

+1 for Waterford/Dunmore/Lismore here, though I've never been to Belfast so can't compare it.

Dunmore is a lovely quiet spot (maybe not at 2am at the weekends, I wouldn't know about that tbh) and great for a few days away. Plenty of places to go, things to see and the scenery is breathtaking every single day.

KC81

Just wondering about restaurants. Are places booked out on a saturday night.

ems_12 wrote: »

Belfast!

Tons of things to do: walks (Crawfordsburn is gorgeous, Lady Dixon Pk, along the Lagan, Belfast castle), the zoo, ice skating, cinemas, bowling, shopping, ice hockey games, sightseeing.

You shouldn't come across any tension - stay in the city centre (you'll have no reason to venture into "bad" areas anyway), and if you want to go visit all the murals and things, just take a tour instead of bringing the car. That and don't voice opinions on politics etc when you don't know what company you're in.

Nightlife is great, theres lots of clubs to choose from and even more bars for a few drinks beforehand. Clubs: Ollies, Potthouse, La Lea, The Box, Limelight, Whites, Stiff Kitten, the Bot..... Depends on your taste and what day you're going.

Places to eat - there's so many! My favourites are Zen, Lolita, Fat Budda, but you won't be stuck for choice

Places to stay: Belfast has the usual hotels - holiday inn, radisson, jurys, etc, but also some nice B+Bs handy to centre in the university area - look towards Malone Rd, Lisburn Rd etc.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your trip

ems_12

If you're going as a big group, probably best to book in advance. But if there's only two or three of you, you prob won't have to - some of the more popular restuarants might be busy but to be honest there's so much choice, if you don't get your first pick, you'll get the one down the road/next door........

Basically, I usually like to book in advance so I don't have to wait/be disappointed, but the bf doesn't ever book unless it's a big group!

JæKæ

Can I recommend a Belfast restaurant? D'arcy's.
We stumbled on it, excellent food. Try the bacon and cabbage.

http://www.thebestof.co.uk/belfast/17645/1/1/the_best_of.aspx

ems_12

Ohh that's on my list of ones to try soon, I'm glad someone has now said it's good - looks v. nice. It's on Shaftsbury Sq right? (So handy to town/night clubs etc Streaker)

(Edit - just checked out that website and now I think I'm gonna go this weekend!)

mollybird

if your going to waterford. go for dungarvan. its' amazing. you have hte gaeltacht that is 10 min drive from the town wiht gorgeous views. you have hte beaches and then of course the mounttains right beside that. so you ahve a bit of everything

boomboombazza

heading to belfast myself this weekend with the GF and need ideas!!

keep 'em coming!

I was thinking of getting a hotel in belfast but maybe one of the days going for a spin somewhere. any nice drives near by. I'm driving along the mournes on sunday so other suggestions welcome:)


any shows/gigs/festivals/comedy on this weekend in belfast.


where is best to stay? dont mind hotel or B&B as long as I can walk home easily at night when pissed;) and its reasonably nice (i dont mean fancy/posh)

cheers

hey op...we should meet for a double date...i joke ...i joke!!!!:D

ems_12

Hmm, first off, some nice drives:

Castlewellan Forest Park
Crawfordsburn Forest (also has a beach/along the sea walk)
or you could go the whole way around to Portaferry - there's a seal sanctuary there (I've never been yet, so don't know about what else is there!)

Places to stay - there's tons of hotels in city centre (travellodge, jurys, days) and the B&Bs I'd tend to recommend would be on the south side of the city (maybe not walkable if ur gf doesn't walk far in heels after a night out, but walkable if you wanted to go into the city for some shopping - also on a good bus route) - look for Malone Ave, Eglantine Ave, generally Queen's area. Again I've never stayed in them so no recommendations. (look for the one on Ormeau Ave - friends said it was good)

Shows and gigs- not sure - check websites such as the Odyssey, bars such as the Empire/Auntie Annies, Black Box or the Belfast City Website, it'll give a broad idea about what's going on.

Enjoy the weekend!

oblivious

Here are a few good watering hole
John Hewitt, also a good going out area and for food
The Crown
The kitchen
Molly’s yard for food, but you need to book

KingLoser

Pete4779 wrote: »

A place like Dunmore East can be quite nice in Waterford, but the town itself is populated by idiots every weekend, it's a complete mess of kebabs and beer, as bad as say Swansea.

Did you just base your entire opinion on Des Bishop's work experience? Or are you really aware deep down that this 'nightlife' is confined to one (yes, one) major street junction in the entire city.

I'm from Waterford, so naturally I'd say you'll have more fun in Belfast.

Berns

So how did it go

Bduffman

Pete4779 wrote: »

A place like Dunmore East can be quite nice in Waterford, but the town itself is populated by idiots every weekend, it's a complete mess of kebabs and beer, as bad as say Swansea.

or dublin, or galway or cork or limerick etc etc.

Pete4779 wrote: »

I've only been to Belfast a few times but it's a much more modern city, and it basically *is* a city, there is simply more to do. You'd be as likely to get trouble in Waterford city on a Saturday night as you would in Belfast.

just as likely as dublin, or galway or cork or limerick etc etc.

Pete4779 wrote: »

Belfast would be a lot more interesting, like a mini-Dublin.

And thats a good thing because?........