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Tags: Northern Ireland / Lists / Belfast / → All Tags

Northern Ireland Is the New Croatia

Everybody's always trying to tell us what the next must-see destination is. If enough people say the same thing long and loud enough, then their prediction comes true. Let's see how Northern Ireland fares in 2007, since renowned travel guide publisher Lonely Planet put it on the "what's hot" list in its latest Blue List.

More famous for fighting than fun, Northern Ireland's got itself all sorted out, with tourist numbers already increasing five-fold since the IRA ceasefire of '94. Lonely Planet reckons that it's:

abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits.

Whether or not bad Irish jokes are as popular there as elsewhere remains to be seen. You can always try a couple out on the locals and see if their good spirits remain.

[Photo: randubnick]

Related Stories:
· Ulster a Must-See [Belfast Telegraph]
· Belfast's Distortion Project: the anti-Misshapes [Jaunted]

Tags: Christmas / Christmas Travel / Food / Belfast / Markets / → All Tags

Will Meats of the World Return to Belfast?

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means the season for Christmas festivals and Christmas markets has begun. In Belfast, it's time to get ready for the Christmas Continental Market, which takes place on the grounds of City Hall from November 22-December 19.

The market has a cousin, the Spring Continental Market, at which we encountered the above vendor last May, flipping all sorts of weird burgers under the banner "Meats of the World." We were told they'd be back for Christmas...but things like that can change. The Continental Markets draw meat purveyors from all over Europe, and in addition to Meats of the World burgers, you're likely to find things like moosemeat from Sweden being sold this season. The ever-popular Dutch waffle stand is confirmed to reappear.

The Market is divided into "villages," such as German, Irish and European, which have their own related food stands, crafts, and gifts. It's open pretty late for such an event--until 8 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tags: Belfast / Northern Ireland / Live Music / Metal / → All Tags

Belfast's Distortion Project: the anti-Misshapes

Better known for its connections to punk and Van Morrison than any metal scene, Belfast is nonetheless a great place to roll up your sleeves and throw a set or two of devil horns.

There's hardly a more rock 'n' roll street in Belfast than Ormeau Avenue, home to the Limelight family of clubs. Lined up right next to each other are the Limelight's namesake, Katy Daly's and Spring & Airbrake, with Auntie Annie's just a few steps away on Dublin Road. The Distortion Project, a show promotion and DJ collective, is the nabe's metal master.

You can catch them in action every Saturday at tiny Katy Daly's, where the doors open and the drinks and tunes start flowing at 3:30 p.m. Cover for their Katy Daly's gigs rarely exceeds £4, though the Project's larger shows at neighboring venues often carry heftier price tags. These kids bring in the best of the best, with creative bookings like Firebird (the current project of ex-Napalm Death/Carcass guitarist Bill Steer) under their belts. We attended a DP-helmed Firebird gig back in May, and won't soon forget the amazing vibe inside the very packed Katy Daly's. For those passing through Belfast soon, look out for the Distortion Project's September 30 show at the Limelight, featuring Orange Goblin.