Belfast (Days 27 and 28)

DAY 27
My first night in Belfast was the most incredible night! Like Dublin and the spots I last blogged about, Belfast is a stop I’d made back in March over my Spring Break trip (follow the links to two separate posts about my March visit to Belfast). The last time I went, I was really interested in the history and politics of the city, but I didn’t really enjoy it as a place to hang out. To be honest, I really wasn’t looking forward to being back in the city. Imagine my surprise when, our first night in town, I happened upon Belfast’s Culture Night! 

After dinner, a couple of girlfriends and I heard Dancin’ in the Moonlight playing somewhere, and we followed the sound to what we thought would be a street performer. We turned a corner and found an entire party in the street! There was a parade and food stands and musicians… It turns out that one night a year is Culture Night, and everyone in Belfast comes out for an epic festival. How lucky am I that I happened to be there for it? 

My impression of Belfast has totally changed. While my focus back in March was on the sometimes bleak history of Belfast and the current political and social divide, it was so nice to get to see the other side of this city this time around: the progress that has been made toward peace and the growing prevalence of the arts. 

DAY 28 
The next day, we did a short bus tour of the city and visited the Titanic museum (which was very strange… Interesting, but very strange) and an art museum. Afterwards, a small group of friends and I found a park where some of the Culture Night festivities were still being celebrated, and we lounged in the grass, making friends with a ridiculous puppeteer and eating Dinky Donuts. That night, a few friends and I went out for pizza and live music. 

greatest slogan for a donut shop ever

I’m so glad I was able to come back to Belfast for this second, and completely different, experience!