Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [528]
Windsor Park (Map; 9024 4198; off Lisburn Rd) International soccer matches take place here, south of the centre; for details of Northern Ireland international matches, see www.irishfa.com.
Casement Park (Map; 9038 3815; www.antrimgaa.net; Andersonstown Rd) In West Belfast; you can see Gaelic football and hurling here.
Odyssey Arena (Map; 9073 9074; www.odysseyarena.com; 2 Queen’s Quay) The Belfast Giants ice hockey team draws big crowds to the arena at the Odyssey Complex; the season is September to March. The arena also hosts indoor sporting events including tennis and athletics.
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SHOPPING
For general shopping you’ll find all the usual high-street chains and department stores in the compact central shopping area north of City Hall. The main shopping malls are the Castle Court Centre (Map; Royal Ave) and the new Victoria Square (Map; btwn Ann & Chichester St). There’s late-night shopping till 9pm on Thursdays.
Other shopping districts include the ultra-hip Lisburn Rd (from Eglantine Ave out to Balmoral Ave) – a long strip of red-brick and mock-Tudor facades lined with fashion boutiques, interior-design shops, art galleries, delicatessens, espresso bars, wine bars and chic restaurants – and the unexpected concentration of designer fashion shops (about a dozen of them) on Bloomfield Ave in East Belfast.
Items particular to Northern Ireland that you may like to look out for include fine Belleek china, linen (antique and new) and Tyrone crystal.
Wicker Man (Map; 9024 3550; 44-46 High St; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Wed & Fri, to 9pm Thu, to 5.30pm Sat, 1-5.30pm Sun) This shop sells a wide range of contemporary Irish crafts and gifts, including silver jewellery, glassware and knitwear.
Fresh Garbage (Map; 9024 2350; 24 Rosemary St; 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat, to 8pm Thu) Easily recognised by the glumfest of Goths hovering outside the door, this place has been around for more than 20 years but remains a cult favourite for hippie and Goth clothes, band T-shirts and Celtic jewellery.
Steensons (Map; 9024 8269; Bedford House, Bedford St; 10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, to 7pm Thu) Showroom selling a range of stylish handmade jewellery in contemporary designs in silver, gold and platinum, from a workshop in Glenarm, County Antrim.
Archive’s Antique Centre (Map; 9023 2383; 88 Donegall Pass; 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat) This is a warren of curios and collectables spread over three floors, with Irish silver, brass, pub memorabilia, militaria, books and light fittings.
Tiso (Map; 9023 1230; 12-14 Cornmarket; 9.30am-5.30pm Mon, Tue, Fri & Sat, 10am-5.30pm Wed, 9.30am-8pm Thu, 1-5pm Sun) Make tracks to Tiso for hiking, climbing and camping gear and outdoor clothing.
Surf Mountain (Map; 9024 8877; 12 Brunswick St; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) Yo dude – come and join the goatee-stroking, nad-scratching crew checking out Surf Mountain’s skate and snowboard gear.
Black & Lizars (Map; 9032 1768; 8 Wellington Pl; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) The place to go for all your photographic needs, both film and digital.
Matchetts Music (Map; 9026 8661; 6 Wellington Pl; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) Stocks a range of acoustic instruments, from guitars and mandolins to penny whistles and bodhráns, as well as books of lyrics and guitar chords for traditional Irish songs.
Good Vibes (Map; 9023 9308; 13 Winetavern St; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat) Owned by music producer Terry Hooley, the man who released Teenage Kicks by the Undertones on his Good Vibrations label back in 1978, this is Belfast’s best alternative record shop and a source of tickets and info on the latest gigs.
Other good places to shop for Irish crafts and traditional Irish music include Cultúrlann MacAdam Ó Fiaich (Click here; open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5.30pm Saturday) and Conway Mill (Click here; open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
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GETTING THERE & AWAY
Air
Flights from North America, continental Europe and several major UK airports land at Belfast International Airport (off