Irish hospitality is legendary – it even comes with its own vocabulary whether in Belfast to the north or Dublin to the south. Enjoying ‘the craic’ is part of the culture, and these cosmopolitan, cool and charismatic capital cities charm the visitor with their history and heritage, good food, great nighlife, live music and amazing museums. Plus, at this time of the year, there’s fantastic festive markets to add to the list.
One of the undeniable must-sees in the north is the state-of-the-art Titanic Belfast, housed in an iconic six-floor building, right beside the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction.
However, it’s not the only reason to visit Belfast in winter. There’s the bustling and atmospheric Christmas Continental Market in City Hall Gardens – with stalls offering a temping range of crafts, food and decorations from around Europe – as well as the historic St. George’s Market, home to the finest fresh produce. Then there is Ireland’s biggest and brightest shopping centre, Victoria Square, with it dazzling glass dome, a viewing gallery across the stunning Belfast skyline.
Other unmissable highlights are a trip to the stunning Giant’s Causeway and coastal route as well as a music tour – a salute to some of the biggest Belfast names from Van Morrison to Snow Patrol and Stiff Little Finges. Meanwhile, across the capital, you’ll find a buzzing arts, music and nightlife scene.
Dublin is another gem, renowned for its hospitality as well as its literary legacy, lively nightlife and the Liffey. Famed as one of the friendliest cities in Europe, its charms attract everyone from shoppers enjoying Grafton Street, to sports fans visiting the Aviva Stadium, and of course while you’re there you have to taste the “Black Stuff” – Guinness, as well as taking in some of the world-famous heritage sites such as Trinity College with its Book of Kells.
Just as in Belfast, the dining is fine with Dublin Bay prawns straight from the sea as well as more traditional foods like Colcannon. In addition, with Dublin’s Christmas Wonderland, Craft Fair and the Docklands Christmas Festival, there’s plenty of cheer at this time of year.