march-2011

ILLUSTRATION © MARC ASPINALL | WORDS PIPER TERRETT
1
Europa Hotel
To start your St Patrick’s Day in style,
stop by the Europa. It has long been
the place in Belfast to rub shoulders
with the great and the good – Bill and
Hillary Clinton famously stayed here.
With fi ne dining and a piano bar, it’s
also a great way to fi nish the evening,
well away from the crowds.
Great Victoria Street,
tel: +44 (0)28 9027 1066
2
The Crown
Liquor Saloon
Belfast is full of historic pubs but The
Crown is one of its greatest. Owned
by the National Trust, it was one of the
UK’s most spectacular gin palaces
and remains an ideal place to toast St
Patrick. Restored to its former glory, it
hosts a thriving blues music scene.
46 Great Victoria Street,
tel: +44 (0)28 9024 3187
3
Kelly’s Cellars
There’s some competition for the
title of Belfast’s oldest pub, but Kelly’s
Cellars can claim to be the city’s
oldest continually licensed premises.
Built in 1720, the low ceilings and
pleasing gloom make it feel as though
things haven’t changed much since
then, so it’s the perfect spot for an
authentic Irish pint.
30 Bank Street,
tel: +44 (0)28 9032 4835
4
The John
Hewitt Bar
When you’ve worked up an appetite,
head for The John Hewitt. Based in
Belfast’s trendy Cathedral Quarter,
it won Best Gastro Pub 2010 at
the Northern Ireland FATE Awards.
Owned by the Belfast Unemployed
Resource Centre, it’s also a popular
venue for live Ulster-Scots music.
51 Donegall Street,
tel: +44 (0)28 9023 3768
5
Carnival Parade
The carnival parade is Belfast’s main
St Patrick’s Day event. Starting
from Belfast City Hall at noon and
winding its way to Custom House
Square, the event features acrobats,
pipers and performers, as well as
local community groups. The theme
this year is the environment, so the
parade will be aiming to turn Belfast
green in more ways than one.
Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square
6
St Patrick’s
Day Concert
The annual St Patrick’s Day concert
kicks off at 1pm with a line-up of
traditional music and dance, before
headliners Stacey Solomon and
Lemar take to the stage and the
pre-teen screaming starts. The
concert is free and entry is fi rst
come fi rst served, so get there
when the gates open at noon to
stand a chance of seeing the show.
Custom House Square
7
McHugh’s
Another of the competitors for the
oldest pub crown, McHugh’s is based
in Belfast’s oldest building. Not that
you’ll get much sense of history on
St Patrick’s Day – the location
on Queen’s Square, just around
the corner from the concert venue,
means its three fl oors will be
packed with partygoers until late.
29–31 Queens Square,
tel: +44 (0)28 9050 9999
VAL D’ISÈRE
ALPINA LODGE
In the heart
of Val d’Isère
Village.
city
PEMA
VIP*
OFFER FOR THE READERS
•SPECIAL•
3 minutes walk from the ski runs
• 44 fully fitted flats
• Individual chalet with spa
• Quality service
495 €
per week
From :
a head **
6 days ski passes and equipment
included and delivered
directly to the residence
*Free 6 - day ski pass
(Voucher code : EJ73)
For more information
&
on-line reservations
0033 (0)4 79 41 60 00
www.alpina-lodge.com
** Prices based on rental contracts for 9 people