C.S. Lewis
by leics
C.S. Lewis is the author of the Narnia books.....'The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe' etc etc.
Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898, and spent part of his childhood there, moving to a house on the outskirts of the city (Little Lea) when he was 7.
The statue ..'The Searcher'....shows the hero of 'The Magician's Nephew', Professor Digory Kirke, entering the wardrobe which leads to Narnia. It was created by Ross Wilson, a local artist, and was unveiled on the centenary of Lewis' birth.
You'll find it outside Holywood Arches library on Holywood Road, in East Belfast.
A hidden gem
by St_Vincent about The Duke of York
The Duke of York wins hands down in the “how much brewing memorabilia you can display in a pub” competition. There are old photos, beer trays, mirrors, adverts and a plethora of old Guinness and Watney Red Barrel promotional material. There is so much that items are even fixed flat to the ceiling to make more room. It looks like the interior has had some recent work done although it still has an aged look with lots of wooden fixtures, exposed brickwork and flagstone floors. There’s a nice four person snug with closable doors at the back and they have a side room that is open at busy times plus an upstairs function room. The pub has a very attractive old looking exterior and is tucked away down one of Belfast’s oldest streets in the heart of what was once the newspaper district - now the Cathedral Quarter.
BMI Baby
by stevezero
BMI (Baby) operate direct flights to Belfast from several UK regional airports. It is mostly low cost and fares are generally reasonable. From Nottingham East Midlands there are several flights a day makinf even day trips feasable
Boat Tours
by St_Vincent
There are two boat tours run by the Lagan Boat Company depending on which day it is. On Friday to Monday you can take the Titanic Tour around the Harland and Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built. Exactly why they would want to bring attention to the fact that they built that most famous of vessels that sank on it’s maiden voyage I have no idea, but they do. The other tour runs Tuesday to Thursday and is a 75 minute trip up the Lagan River to Stranmillis Pool and back.
Both tours are accompanied by a commentary and you’ll also get to see the two massive yellow cranes in the shipyard that are affectionately known as Samson and Goliath.
Sailings are at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm and cost £10 for adults and £8 concessions (May 08). Family tickets and joint tickets with the City Bus Tour are also available.
The Entries
by suvanki
Whenever I visit a new place and wander around, I'm always excited when I find something unexpected..... The Entries were my 'Belfast Buzz'!!!
These are series of Victorian passageways that run between Ann Street and High Street, each with a piece of Belfast history. These have recently undergone a face lift, from a private sector fund, which was done in 2 phases.
The Entries passageways are home to some of Belfast's oldest pubs too.
My first entry into The Entries was when I stumbled upon Winecellar entry and saw the info board and map and the stencilled vine leaf passageway.
From the board posted at the end of the entry I found this info (pic 3 )
The Entries
"The Entries are narrow streets and arcades that connect the main shopping areas in the centre of Belfast. From the 17th Century to modern times they have been linked with the social and economic growth of the city.
In the 18th Century High Street had a prominant Market House which was the hub ofcommercial life in Belfast. Merchants shopkeepers and traders congregated in busy groups along the street and in the open air bought, sold and bargained their way to financial success or obscurity. Through time, trading spilled over into the convenience and shelter of the adjacent narrow passageways and courts. The Entries soon gained creedence as places of business and were regarded as centres of commerce in the expanding city"
Winecellar Entry
"Winecellar entry, formerly known as Biggarts Alley, has three narrow lanes which lead to a small central courtyard. The lanes connect High Street, Rosemary Street and Lombard Street and for over two hundred and sixty years the area has been associated with the wine and spirit business, hence its name. Since 1630 various wine merchants have carried on business in the building known as White's Tavern. It is recorded that the building was rebuilt in 1790 by Valentine Jones, who was a wine, spirit and grocery wholesaler. White's was the first tavern to be granted a Tavern licence in the city.
Towards the end of the 17th Century a family of English origin known as Bateson, were also engaged in the wine, spirit and grocery trade. Thomas Bateson became one of three local West India Merchants and in 1752 he attempted to form the first bank in Belfast"
A plaque outside White's Tavern (pic 5) states that " In the year 1630, White's Tavern was granted the first tavern licence of Belfast Village.
Through the years many chapters, of not just Belfast history, but people whom made history throughout the islands, frequented White's Tavern. During Insurrection, wars, famine and the Troubles, people from all walks of life, gathered here to Remember, Reminisce and Forget.
Some say Henry Jot Mc Cracken supped his last drink here before swinging fromthe gallows.
Lords, Ladies, Smugglers and Shawlies all enjoyed the "Craic"of White's Tavern.
All who walk within, can find the spirit which breathed of the past"
Inspired, I then set off to find the rest of the Entries....
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Across the square to the cathedral
Wonderful Victorian brick building
Byzantine style painting
The Jaffe Fountain
