General

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

Raidió Fáilte — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:27:40 GMT

All good advice there Gjoell. If you do want to check out the possibility of a visit to Raidió Fáilte, get in contact with me and we can see if it's feasible, depending on group size, dates of visit, etc.

Ádh Mór,

Gerard

www.raidiofailte.com

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

Pól An Droichead — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:36:30 GMT

Whites Tavern have a traditional session that I never knew about. We were out last Saturday night and Barry Kerr and a few others were playing in the corner. Magic, you don't get much more 'real' Belfast Irish than that. The BBQ outside was a nice touch as well. Madden's always have a great session on at the weekends, and it's right in the heart of Belfast's old Irish district - the area doesn't look very traditional now, nestled in the shadow of the Castle Court shopping complex, but somone there will no doubt be able to give you a run down on the history of the place.

But yeah, as Michelle says, ourselves and the Cultúrlann are the main Irish language spots in Belfast, and if you come around the 27th July you can check out the brilliant McCracken Summer School (27th July - 2nd August) - one of the highlights in the Belfast Irish calendar - in north Belfast before heading over to the west Belfast Féile in the first week of August. We're running south Belfast's first ever traditional music festival over here on the Ormeau Road at the end of August (27th - 30th August) as well, so there's plenty going on this summer!

An Droichead are currently developing packages to give visitors the all-round Belfast Irish experience, so if you have a group give me a shout and we'll do our best to sort you out with a day's activities and a night to remember. eolas@androichead.com www.androichead.com

Pól

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

michelle — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:52:06 GMT

I agree with Sogy - an Chultúrlann is great. Definitely ring them up for advice.

I also love An Droichead - you can email them at eolas@androichead.com and explain that you're visiting Belfast. An Droichead might be able to arrange some Irish classes or they might have a session on. See the website at www.androichead.com.

I love Raidío Fáilte too - they're a friendly bunch and might even want to interview your group. Check them out at www.raidiofailte.com.

As for sessions, I sort of know what you mean by 'tourist' sessions - but I've only been to great sessions in Belfast. Session musicians are usually really great players, and they respond to the crowd - you often get what you ask for.

When are you arriving and how long are you staying? How big is your group?

Le gach dea ghuí,

Michelle

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

Sogy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:44:18 GMT

Culturlann, Culturlann, agus Culturlann!

Which is in Falls Road.

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

Gjoell — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:02:14 GMT

Go raibh maith agat!

These seem reasonable starting points...

I thought there might be people from Belfast here who might have some good ideas.

Re: Visiting Irish Belfast

Caomhánach — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:22 GMT

im sure people from Belfats could give you better details but i found this on the internet...... http://www.visitwestbelfast.com/ it has a booklet on the "Gaeltacht Quarter" and a "Gaeltacht Quarter map" too it also has lists of things going on. Also here is An Cúlturlann website, its the focal ponit of the Gaeltacht quarter in Belfast.

Visiting Irish Belfast

Gjoell — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:39:50 GMT

Dia duit!

I'm looking for some help to "discover" Irish Belfast at my next educational trip with students. For many it would be the first contact with Irish. My interests would be recent developments of the language and cultural connections i.e. music, dance, literature. Could you give me any advise what could be interesting places to visit or people to talk to? Are there any programmes promoting the Irish language in Belfast? Also which trad sessions would be best to go to (you know I don't mean the tourist type of Seisiún...) but with good players and singers.

Thanks a million for any help!

Slán

Gjoell