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| Ballintoy Harbour |
This the second blog in this series where I rediscover my childhood home – and provide some hints and tips for friends and family who come to discover Northern Ireland for the first time. On this occasion the start of my visit was work focused – but afterwards, I was able to enjoy a week of annual leave before heading back to England. The recommendations below should be read alongside the first blog – as most of the places mentioned there were revisited!
1. Make the most of opportunities to meet the locals
As I will be working during some of my visits, I wanted to find ways of integrating into the local community – the Northern Irish are very friendly so I knew that wasn’t going to be tricky. My visit started with Bootcamp on Ballyholme Green (Sat 8am) – lots of fun and a really welcoming group … I returned the following Sat! Next stop was a mixed media arts workshop at Boom Studios – an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Sat (complete with coffee and tray bakes!). For anyone looking for a church, I found an incredible welcome at Kings Church Bangor. I have found my Bangor church home, and look forward to my next visit.
2.
A day trip to Belfast
Belfast by train is very easy from Bangor. Having last been in the city centre during ‘the troubles’ it was lovely to visit so many years later and see the transformation. Visiting twice during my stay, I took the opportunity to do the Belfast Sightseeing Tour and a walking tour – the latter being a bit too political (there are several options available so I will do some more research next time), but I would recommend the open top bus! Entrance is free to Belfast City Hall, and pausing at the Titanic Memorial Gardens is very poignant (especially as I was able to find the name of a relative of a work colleague who was the leader of the band as the ship went down on that fateful day).
The Titanic Memorial
A visit to the Titanic Exhibition is on my list for the next visit – but don’t
miss out on a visit to the Titanic Quarter. Aim for the Big Fish on google maps
and it’s an easy walk over the bridge … opposite the Titanic Exhibition you will find
the Titanic Hotel which is
set in the former drawing offices of ship-builder Harland and Wolff. 
A familiar sight on the Belfast Skyline - Samson & Goliath
The Titanic Hotel bar is
open to non-residents, and I would highly recommend a visit (although maybe
avoid just before hotel check-in time).
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| The former drawing offices of Harland & Wolff - now the bar in the Titanic Hotel |
My parents met when they were students in Belfast, so I enjoyed walking up to Queen's University and the Botanic Gardens.
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| The Botanic Gardens |
3. Continuing to add to the foodie list!
Lots of recommendations are included in my
previous blog – but a few more recommendations this time. You won’t leave hungry
after a meal at Jamaica Inn – maybe don’t
have a starter until you have seen the size of the mains! During my Belfast
visits, a well as the Titanic Hotel, I discovered The Linen Hall Library Cafe, as well
as Avoca –
I’ll be returning to both!
4.
The North Coast
En-route by train back from Belfast to Bangor,
we stopped off at Belfast City airport to pick up a hire car. As the driver on
the airport shuttle bus said – there is nothing better than a trip up the coast
road to the Giants Causeway (our blue-sky day may have helped!). Lots of places
to stop off en-route (if you like jewellery, don’t miss Steensons at Glenarm! We were lucky
enough to experience a stunning sunset White Park Bay, which
is just a short walk around from Ballintoy
Harbour. As it features in Game of Thrones, worth avoiding in the height of
the summer season, or visiting at the end of the day and the tourist crowds. We
also enjoyed a very quiet Giants Causeway,
with the walking trails almost to ourselves!
The Giants Causeway
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