Belfast was my first and my last stop on the Irish road trip.

Due to the difference in currency between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, it was easier and worked out more cost effective to hire a car from Belfast and return it to the same location rather than a different location in the Republic of Ireland.

It also made it easier with booking flights as I book return flights instead of two separate one way tickets.

It helped with planning the road trip. I kind of routed it like a big circle, starting on the Causeway Coastal Route, then along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, Cork and Dublin before finishing in Belfast.

The Titanic Belfast is the biggest Titanic exhibit in the world.

It’s a world leading visitor attraction and it was once named the world’s leading attraction at the world travel awards in 2016.

Located next to the Titanic slipways, you get one of the most interactive experiences of any Titanic building in the world.

From when you approach the building, to entering and going through the nine galleries exploring the history of the Titanic.

Usually I wouldn’t have visited because I don’t have a particular interest in the titanic, and I was never a fan of the film.

But then you’re in Belfast, the place where the idea of the Titanic was born in the early 1900s, and you have the opportunity to learn about the journey from its conception, through the journey of its construction, launch and its place in history.

Crumlin Road Gaol is a 19th century Grade A listed jail that opened in 1846 and operated for 150 years before closing in 1996.

The Gaol has housed murderers, suffragettes and republican prisoners amongst many.

It’s a prison that has seen it all, from births and marriages, to hunger strikes and riots.

I enjoyed the Gaol more than the Titanic. I think part of that is because I’ve visited other prisons such as Alcatraz and Philadelphia Penitentiary for tours, and have always had an interest in the history of famous prisons.

St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is the last surviving Victorian covered market.

Built between 1890 and 1896 St George’s Market was named the UK’s best large indoor market in 2023.

It’s open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Friday market actually dates as far back as 1604. So basically you have a whole weekend to enjoy some of the finest local produce Ireland has to offer.

St George’s Market is where I would get my first taste of the Belfast Bap and it was like love a first sight.

I would return to Belfast in a heartbeat for a Belfast bap.

You won’t be short of some good pub options in Belfast either.

The Duke of York is a traditional Belfast pub with original mirrors and memorabilia. It boasts the largest selection of Irish whiskeys in Ireland.

It was here on my first night in Belfast that I met Belinda, her brother John and their Mum, Gina.

They were out celebrating Gina’s birthday. They helped break me in gently with drinking in Ireland. I definitely needed it because my tolerance is too low.

I drank more than I should have. My head felt it in the morning before setting off to drive the Causeway Coastal Route so that wasn’t ideal!

Hanging out with them celebrating Gina’s birthday was a taster of how friendly and hospitable the Irish are.

The Dirty Onion is in Belfast’s oldest building.

It offers live Irish music 7 days a week so you’re always guaranteed the authentic Irish experience on a night out.

Upstairs in the building is Yardbird, a rotisserie chicken restaurant. They marinate their chicken over night before it’s cooked on the rotisserie.

Yardbird doesn’t have the biggest menu but aside from chicken, you can also have ribs and wings.

They don’t take bookings so it’s a first come first serve basis.

I really liked Belfast and wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

I preferred it to Dublin. you get a chilled vibe, and feels less chaotic than Dublin.

There are better choices as far as eating out goes, I’ll even add drinking to that as well because it feels more like an authentic Irish experience in Belfast as opposed to Dublin.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Dublin but Belfast is underrated when you compare the two.

Belfast is a good place to visit all around. Great to walk around and explore. It’s not the biggest place but it feels like there’s something to keep you occupied.

Before finishing off, there’s a few people I want to thank.

I want to thank Leanne and Aoife who I met when I travelled to Vienna for New Years back in 2018. Even though we’ve had minimal contact due to everything life related, they were more than happy to give their time to help me with suggestions for the trip.

Lastly I really want to thank my friend Caitriona. We’ve known each other since University. She helped me with my itinerary, and also kept in contact while I was on the road trip just to check in on me.

What a beautiful country filled with some of the nicest locals you’ll meet.

I’m glad we got to catch up and enjoy the craic.