Belfast News: Is it time to go East?

East Belfast is seeped in rich culture and heritage the most famous of which is the Harland and Wolff shipyard with it huge yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath visible from all over the City. Founded in 1853 this world class shipbuilder launched many ships, the most famous of which was the White Star Line's Titanic, which sank on its maiden voyage. The memory of Titanic lives on and will be commemorated by the City in 2012, the centenary of its sinking.

Belfast also has many 'Great Sons' which include recently deceased Alex 'Huricane' Higgins, a world class snooker player, with human frailties which made him endearing to the City, but East Belfast is best known for George Best, one of the world’s greatest footballers, Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, one of world's greatest writers, Van Morrison, world class singer and Ian Kyle Paisley, Reverend, Politician and former First Minster of Northern Ireland. East Belfast is also the home and political base of Northern Ireland's current First Minister and DUP Leader Peter Robinson.

Belfast shopping is also thriving, with East Belfast providing great shopping areas such as Cregagh, Ballyhackamore, Holywood Arches, Kings Square, Connswater, Dundonald, Eastpoint, Ikea & Holywood Exchange. Restaurants and socialising venues continue to open across East Belfast, with arguably Northern Ireland's premier entertainment venue The Odyssey, sitting on its edge.

East Belfast is also the Political Powerhouse of Northern Ireland with Parliament Building home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Stormont Estate home of the majority of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Stormont Castle home of the Northern Ireland Executive.

East Belfast is growing, developing and buzzing with exciting developments such as the Titanic Quarter, but there are many sites of historical interest, so, why not explore it!

Created: 15th September 2010