Over the past few years Belfast has cracked down on illegal taxi drivers in the City- those who do not hold the appropriate licence and have in the past taken advantage of tourists and revellers by overcharging. As a result, reputable taxi companies do not allow their drivers to accept jobs from people who 'hail' them down on the road and must have a meter in the cab which clearly shows the cost of the journey as you travel. As such, it is always a good idea to call for a taxi when you need one or to pre-book, if you know in advance what time you will be heading home. The two most respectable and popular companies in the city are Fon-A-Cab (Tel: 90 333333) or ValueCabs (Tel: 90809080). So take care and make sure you don't get ripped off. If in doubt, ask when you call to book how much a fare is likely to cost.
The opening date for the most exciting new piece of architecture in Belfast has been confirmed as 6th March 2008. With Agent Provocateur confirmed as one of the outlets in the complex, Belfast men will surely find their wallets a little lighter come Valentine's Day in future!
St. Patrick’s day is always 24 hours of (usually quite drunken) merriment in Belfast, with hundreds of students and locals dressing up and heading to the local pubs for a pint of the black stuff. Guinness is sometimes dyed green with food colouring or presented to you with a carefully crafted shamrock on top of the creamy froth. If you take a walk through the ’Holylands Area’ of the city, which is the heart of student land, you will be likely to see many people sitting outside on sofas and living room furniture with ’carryouts’ (drink purchased from a wine store and brought home to consume!)
This year, Belfast City Council are organising a carnival parade and free concert to celebrate the patron Saint who is supposed to have ’driven the snakes out of Ireland.’ The Carnival parade leaves City Hall at 12 noon and a free concert begins at 1pm and ends at 3pm. Mutya Buena, a well known UK pop star, and former member of the band Sugagbabes, has been confirmed as one of the performers. Other artists will include the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra, well known Belfast DJ Pete Snodden and a host of other Irish musicians.
The theme of this years carnival is "The Shamrock and the Storm" and will feature thunderous drummers, a giant rainbow float and an army of Shamrocks. This is a day for the whole family and is a perfect way to experience the warm and friendly atmosphere of Belfast people when they come together in a party spirit.
The carnival will make its way along Donegall Place to Castle Junction into Castle Place, then along High Street, Victoria Street and Victoria Square, into Custom House Square where the concert will be held.
Admission is on a first come first served basis and alcohol is prohibited from consumption or purchase at the event.
For more information visit www.translink.co.uk or call Translink on 028 9066 6630 (7am to 8pm).
One of the most exciting events in Belfast's 2008 calendar will be the opening of the long awaited Victoria Square supermall, boasting 4 floors featuring hundreds of shops, restaurants and a cinema. The beautiful glass dome of the building is already an eye catching piece of architecture on the city skyline and the centre will offer the added bonus of the creation of hundreds of jobs in the local sector. Keep an eye on www.victoriasquare.com for further updates.
If you are coming to Belfast for a long term stay and are seeking employment, check out new website www.nilocal.com for advice on where to look and contact details for the many recruitment companies in the city. This also has a weather chart which is updated daily so that you will know whether to pack your suncream or your brollie- in these parts, however, it's generally the latter...but I like to check it out before I leave the house just in case. Fingers crossed for a white Christmas- the last time we had one I was in Australia and missed it!
Custom House Square will house a free concert on New Year's Eve featuring a host of local acts and headlined by Ocean Colour Scene. The event kicks off at 7pm and is expected to run until 12.30am to help you see the new year in with a bang. Demand for tickets is high with over 5000 locals and visitors expected to take part, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye out in local papers such as The Belfast Telegraph to see if a few are being sold by anyone who can no longer attend. Wrap up well- it's likely to be a chilly night!