Belfast: Birthplace of the Ship of Dreams, home to reams of culture with its museums and galleries, and famous for St George’s Market and nearby Game of Thrones filming locations, too.
As the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, what makes Belfast a great meetings and events destination?
World-class museums
Titanic Belfast
If you’re looking for a host destination with lots of history to explore, Belfast is home to lots of impressive museums. Firstly, Titanic Belfast is built on the slipways where the Titanic itself was constructed over 100 years ago.
We all know the story of the ‘Ship of Dreams’ had a tragic ending. And despite being devastated by its conclusion, Belfast is proud to have engineered such a massive and impressive ship with over 3,000 workers. As the ship was being built, it became the pride of Belfast.
“Simply awe-inspiring at each step. It’s not a museum; it’s an experience.”
The Huffington Post
Titanic Belfast far exceeds anyone’s expectations of a museum! It’s an entire experience, and you’ll need at least three hours to enjoy its mix of moving images, special effects, underwater cinema, interactive exhibitions and reconstructions.
What an iconic place to hold your event! With capacity for intimate dinner parties of 20 to large-scale receptions for 1,500 – the possibilities for your conference, banquet, exhibition or reception are endless! The opulent decor in the Titanic Suites is themed on the interiors of Titanic and features a stunning replica of the liner’s famous Grand Staircase. White Star Line crockery and a host of sumptuous menus all created with the finest local produce, guarantee all of the ingredients to make your Titanic Belfast experience truly memorable.
Ulster Museum
Secondly, Belfast offers visitors Ulster Museum, Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and present. Home to rich collections of art, history and natural sciences all set within the beautiful surroundings of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens. It offers corporates some really unique spaces available to hire across every site, we provide standout settings for events of all kinds, including a beautiful Atrium.
As if these two great history-packed museums weren’t enough, Belfast is also home to Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Discover Ulster Scots Centre and Ulster American Folk Park!
Popular culture
More recently Belfast, and Northern Ireland as a whole, have enticed fans of the hugely popular Game of Thrones series. Filming began in Northern Ireland in 2010 and the main filming location was Belfast’s Paint Hall Studios. Filming also took place at dozens of other places across Northern Ireland, including the Mourne Mountains, Tollymore Forest, Castleward, Murlough Bay, Cairncastle, Ballintoy Harbour, the Dark Hedges, Saintfield and numerous others.
Now, you can take tours around the country to see iconic filming locations. You can even experience a self-guided walking tour; the Glass of Thrones Trail showcases multiple series highlights immortalised in stained glass and includes a walk past the Titanic Studios where filming took place.
St George’s Market
If you want your delegates to experience an authentic taste of Belfast life, make space on any weekend event itinerary for St George’s Market (Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings). Built between 1890 and 1896, the market one of Belfast’s oldest attractions, and is a must-visit to explore an important part of Belfast’s living history.
Over 150 traders set up stalls laden with antiques, metalwork, crafts, and food! Oh, the food… with tastes and smells brought by local producers, as well as a fusion of tempting continental and speciality foods from around the world. Your guests can sample the produce, and relax with a coffee and a newspaper against a backdrop of live music from top local bands and solo artists.
Galleries
The MAC
Located in the cultural heart of Belfast city centre, the Metropolitan Arts Centre Belfast (MAC) offers unparalleled opportunities for hosting corporate events. And it’s the place to be for music, theatre, art, dance and everything in between – its typical year’s events can range from roller disco to mind-reading shows and experimental documentaries – and that’s just the theatre. It’s also a super place for art displays and performances, with great acoustics and architecture.
Belfast Exposed
Next, you have Belfast Exposed. Located in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, Belfast Exposed offers contemporary, multi-purpose spaces available to hire at affordable prices. Spaces available include two galleries exhibiting internationally renowned artists and local photographers, and a studio, suitable for meetings, wine receptions, presentations, seminars, business events, product launches, networking events and bespoke corporate hospitality. They can also partner with local restaurants to support your event’s catering needs.
Belfast also offers visitors the Golden Thread Gallery and the world-famous People’s Gallery® of Street Murals.
Cathedral Quarter
Belfast is home to the beautiful and cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter. Whether you’re seeking a city’s contemporary vibe for an event itinerary, or interested in Belfast’s origins – the city’s story starts here!
The Cathedral Quarter is home to over 50 cultural organisations and galleries, offering the community a wealth of art, theatre, music, circus and dance. It also provides a huge of choice in dining and accommodation.
“Its streets and buildings tell you a story of the origins of the city and its beautiful historic buildings give character to Belfast’s most vibrant inner city neighbourhood.”
cathedralquarterbelfast.com
Botanic Gardens
A short stroll away from the Ulster Museum are Belfast’s Botanic Gardens. Designed in the 19th century by Sir Charles Lanyon – who also designed parts of Queen’s University – the gardens and their ornate cast-iron Palm House are a tribute to Victorian Belfast.
Botanic Gardens is home to tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, an alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds and sculptures. With impressive sights worth seeing, they are great for ‘walking meetings’ too – fresh air for fresh ideas.
Travel
Belfast has two airports -Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport. The choice enables delegates to fly direct from over 20 European cities and a number of North American locations. And of course, sea crossings are available from England and Scotland, and a direct rail link from Dublin. Coming from further afield? No problem.
Walking Tour
Talking of travel, did you know you can book a ticket for a walking tour around Belfast to discover the city’s musical heritage? The walks are taking place on various dates from October to November 2024. The tour uncovers why Belfast deserves the UNESCO City of Music designation. Learn about Belfast’s musical traditions and explore important musical venues/spaces. The tour ends with a visit the Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast’s dedicated music hub.
The standard walking tour lasts two and a half hours. And if you have an extra 30 minutes, your tour can include a musical performance!
Find out more via Belfast City Council. Or, we can plan an itinerary for you as part of your event booking with our team.
Hotels and event venues
Alongside the unique venues mentioned above, let’s take a look at more of the spaces available in Belfast.
Stormont Hotel
This beautiful four-star hotel is just minutes from Belfast City Centre. Adjacent to Stormont Estate, it overlooks the immaculately maintained wooded landscape, making it the ideal location for conferences and events.
The luxurious property boasts superb facilities. It has a recently refurbished lounge with roaring wood-burning stoves, 105 bright, spacious bedrooms, and an inviting cocktail lounge. Its conference facilities cater for everything from smaller meetings to trade shows, large-scale exhibitions and gala balls.
It is recognised in the Top 30 Best Hotels in the Rest of the UK in Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2022.
The Merchant Hotel Belfast
The Merchant Hotel offers unparalleled five-star service and the height of luxury in the heart of Belfast’s historic Cathedral Quarter. The rich heritage of its grade-A listed building complements its wealth of modern, multi-award-winning facilities and services.
The hotel’s beautiful bedrooms come in two distinctive styles – Victorian Splendour and Art Deco Decadence. Plus, it offers a range of suites named after local writers and poets. Each one is unique and boasts original Victorian features and antique furniture.
Delegates can experience the hotel’s tranquil spa, with five treatment rooms, relaxation room and hydrotherapy area. That’s when they’re not soaking up your conference, meeting, or event content. The property offers a 16-person boardroom, roof garden, private dining room, champagne lounge, and more.
Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast
Situated in the revitalized Gasworks business area, the hotel combines a tranquil riverside setting with easy access to Belfast city centre, and short travel to attractions like Titanic Belfast and the Botanic Gardens.
Each of its 120 rooms and suites features free high-speed wireless internet, and its Gasworks Restaurant provides authentic local dishes while the Gasworks Bar & Café can pour a refreshing pint.
With seven well-equipped conference rooms, the hotel is a perfect location for meetings and events. Its spaces include a unique private dining option on the 7th floor with kitchen and bathroom facilities, which overlooks the hotel’s water feature and boasts a stunning view of the city.
Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Golf & Country Club
This property is a fantastic golf retreat on the outskirts of Belfast. It is set among 220 acres of wooded parkland on the Castle Upton Estate, with has access to the championship Templepatrick Golf Course.
It is within a 15-minute drive of Belfast Airport, and 13 miles from the city centre. The hotel also boasts a health club with an indoor pool, sauna, fitness centre, and spa.
With free parking and ten flexible, air-conditioned meeting rooms with A/V and natural light, its is perfect indoor and outdoor meetings and events.
National Football Stadium at Windsor Park
Your delegates can experience all the action and legendary atmosphere of The National Football Stadium from the comfort of its newly refurbished hospitality lounges.
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Maldron Hotel Belfast City is a new, budget-friendly, 4-star hotel ideally located in the heart of Belfast city. The hotel’s budget-friendly accommodation is just minutes from some of Belfast’s main attractions, and a 10-minute drive from George Best Belfast City Airport.
Your dining needs are also covered at by the hotel’s Grain & Grill restaurant. It also offers daily afternoon tea, and its Red Bean Roastery provides the hotel’s signature blend of quality coffee.
The property offers four state of the art meeting rooms, with day delegate rates and tailored packages available.
Culloden Estate & Spa
The magnificent Culloden stands high on the slopes of the hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and County Antrim Coastline. The prestigious, luxury five-star hotel stands in 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland.
Originally a Bishop’s Palace, the hotel is traditionally elegant while providing every modern amenity you’d expect. Bright, spacious and individually decorated, each of the 98 bedrooms and suites is comfortable and inviting. After a restful night, guests can wake up to wonderful views over the hotel gardens and down towards Belfast Lough.
The property provides luxurious conference facilities including, with 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens perfect for team-building or unwinding.
Considering a business trip to Belfast?
Explore Bien Venue’s corporate event management services and get in touch to plan your visit.
Looking for more inspiration?
Have a look at our back catalogue of ‘Spotlight On’ and our other blogs. Our previous ‘Spotlight On’ features include everywhere from Bristol and Brighton, to Sydney and the South of France.
Bien Venue is a boutique creative agency specialising in a free UK venue finding service. It’s not just workshops, training, conferences, or off-site meetings we can arrange and venue search for. It’s also away days, residential training events, awards ceremonies, networking, roadshows, hybrid events, summer parties and private dining. And team building, incentives, employee engagement hampers and virtual activities. Plus, we offer accommodation booking platforms for both corporate bookers and event specific allocations of bedrooms
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