Northern Ireland Travel Guide

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Cuisine

Things to know: Pubs are open all day Mon-Sat 1130-2300 and Sun 1230-2200 with half an hour ‘drinking-up' time. Pubs in Belfast often stay open Thurs-Sat until 0100. Smoking is banned in pubs and restaurants.

Regional specialties:
• An Ulster fry – eggs, sausages, ham or fish with chips.
• Shellfish.
• Homemade vegetable soups.
• Irish stew.
• Dried seaweed.

Regional drinks:
• Guinness – a dark heavy stout with a creamy head.
• Irish whiskey, often drunk along with a bottle of stout.
• Hilden – real ale produced at Lisburn.

Nightlife

Northern Ireland has a strong tradition for musical entertainment, from the toe-tapping live folk bands playing in crowded pubs to the soulful lyrics of Van Morrison and the world-famous talent of flautist James Galway. Visitors can find something to suit, from the latest dance music in nightclubs to opera or classical concerts. Traditional Irish music in ‘singing pubs' provides a good evening's entertainment in many places, particularly Belfast and Londonderry. Special musical events include the summer Jazz and Blues Festival in Londonderry and Limavady and the October Ards Guitar Festival held in Newtownards.

There is also a wealth of theaters and art galleries located in and around Belfast, including the famous Lyric Theater, where Liam Neeson started his career. There are summer theaters in Newcastle and Portrush, plus the Riverside Theater at Coleraine. The Belfast Festival at Queen's (three weeks in November each year) is Ireland's biggest international festival. Other main venues for drama performances and concerts are the Grand Opera House, Ulster Hall, King's Hall and the Waterfront Hall (all in Belfast), the Armagh Theater and Arts Center and the Millennium Forum in Derry, and numerous regional theaters. Further information can be obtained from the Northern Ireland's Arts Council's monthly magazine art.ie or from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.