Visit EastSide
Description
Explore East Belfast's industrial heritage, the streets where Titanic shipyard workers lived and the childhood neighbourhood of famous faces like George Best.
An easy 10 minute Glider or bus trip from the city centre brings you to EastSide Visitor Centre. From here you can navigate the neighbourhood, book a tour or meet an ‘EastSider’. Sports fans can take a tour of the childhood home of football hero, George Best, catch a game at Ulster Rugby’s Stadium or cheer on local soccer team, 'The Glens', at The Oval. If arts and culture are more your thing, EastSiders have a way with words and music, so don’t miss the chance to explore the streets and places that where once home to and inspired C.S. Lewis and Van Morrison!
Located between Stormont Estate and Titanic Quarter, EastSide is bursting with street art, old and new. You could say the walls of EastSide actually do talk as there is a vast array of political and community murals throughout the neighbourhood which are off the usual tourist trail, but are fascinating for anyone keen to understand Belfast’s complex history and contemporary society. If you prefer your art in one place, then there is a growing number of boutique galleries, local craft studios, vintage shops and creative start-up businesses to explore.
Whatever you get up to EastSide, have a great time!
Find out more at www.visiteastside.com
The George Best (self-guided) trail
George Best was proud to be from east Belfast and the people of east Belfast remain incredibly proud of 'Our George'. Spend half a day exploring the places closest to George's heart.
Download the trail here: https://visiteastside.com/listing/george-best-trail
C.S. Lewis Square
Rediscover The Chronicles of Narnia with a walk through C.S. Lewis Square, a public space commemorating the Belfast-born author, C.S. Lewis. Featuring seven bronze sculptures from 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', including Aslan, The White Witch, Mr Tumnus, The Beavers, The Robin and The Stone Table, it is a stunning display of public art.
C.S. Lewis Square is located at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, beside the EastSide Visitor Centre, where visitors can access information on the city's attractions from interactive screens, interpretative panels and a wall map, connecting people to EastSide's famous faces, places and industries.
The Centre also includes a coffee bar, named after East Belfast's famous author C.S. Lewis, affectionately known as 'Jack' to friends and family. JACK Coffee Bar features locally sourced produce and showcases products from local artists and food producers.
C.S. Lewis Square is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are fully illuminated.
Accommodation
The Stormont Hotel, Ashfield Bed and Breakfast and George Best House are great places to stay during your visit to Belfast. They are all situated on main bus routes which make east Belfast and the rest of Belfast extremely accessible. Download the Translink (local transport provider) app for your smartphone for timetables and bus routes.
George Best House
If you fancy an immersive, authentic experience why not stay in The George Best House, the childhood home of a football legend! The home where George lived before travelling to Manchester, and where his mother and father remained, is available as a holiday rental and includes three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, living room and front and back gardens.
To book a tour or stay visit: https://www.georgebesthouse.com/
- 278 - 280 Newtownards Road
- Belfast
- Antrim
- BT4 1HH
Top Reasons To Visit
- Sport: Ravenhill & The Oval grounds nearby
- Famous Faces: George Best, C.S. Lewis and Van Morrison
- Walking and Cycling: Connswater Community Greenway
- Public Art and Murals: explore the unique public art in east
- Yardmen statue: Plays tribute to the men who built Titanic
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Harland and Wolff
Did you know that the Harland and Wolff shipyard built over 2000 ships including RMS Titanic? You can take a walk in the footsteps of the Yardmen who built these ships, see where they lived and relaxed, using The Yardmen Trail.
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The Northern Ireland Assembly
The seat of government, sits in Parliament Buildings, located in the grounds of the fabulous Stormont Estate. Learn more about the history of ‘our wee country’ and enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings. Free tours of the building are available Monday to Friday at 10am and 3pm.
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Walking and cycling
If you enjoy walking or cycling then EastSide is the place to start in Belfast. This is the only part of the city to have extensive Greenways, offering traffic free routes from Titanic Quarter to the Castlereagh Hills and from Belfast City Centre to the village of Comber. You can get from the buzz of EastSide to green open spaces in about the same time it takes to enjoy a locally brewed craft beer.
EastSide has several heritage and themed trails and maps to help guide you around the rich history and culture of the area area and to help you explore the Connswater Community Greenway. https://www.eastsidegreenways.com/greenway-trails-and-books/
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The Van Morrison (self-guided) trail
The Van Morrison Trail, will take you on a journey through the east Belfast of Van’s youth. The 3.5km trail should take approximately two hours to complete, so wear a comfortable pair of shoes and be prepared for the weather – it isn’t always sunny in Belfast! The Trail is a wonderful opportunity for you to visit some of the places that Morrison knew as a child growing up. Many of these places, and the people who lived there, were to shape the character and values of ‘Van the Man’. You will discover on your journey that some of them are referenced in his lyrics and music.
For a full ‘sight and sound’ experience of the Van Morrison Trail, be sure to check out the map that accompanies the booklet. You will notice that there are QR codes alongside a number of the locations. Simply scan each QR code into your smart phone to download a short song extract related to that location.
Download the trail here:https://visiteastside.com/listing/van-morrison-trail
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The CS Lewis (self-guided) trail
The C.S. Lewis Trail will take you to the places that influenced and inspired the young C.S. Lewis.
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th Century. He wrote more than 40 books, ranging from children’s fantasy literature to popular theology.
Download the trail here: https://visiteastside.com/listing/cs-lewis-trail
Contact Details
- 278 - 280 Newtownards Road
- Belfast
- Antrim
- BT4 1HH
Gallery
Whisk(e)y Wars
Tam Tully fights tragedy and treachery to save her Ulster family distillery from ruin - by crafting the perfect single malt.
Titanic DistillersEastSide Arts Festival
An 11-day celebration of the creative people, places and spaces of east Belfast; packed with 60+ inclusive, fun and accessible events.
Templemore Baths Guided Tour
Templemore Baths Heritage Space preserves original Victorian features of the only remaining public baths on the island of Ireland.
Eats-Side Food & Drink Tour
Join your guide Nicky on a discovery of east Belfast’s vibrant food scene.
EastSide Electronics 2024: Lil’ Louis (The Founding Father of House)
The Night Institute returns with their flagship open air celebration of Electronic Music at C.S. Lewis Square.
CS Lewis SquareParkFest
ParkFest is back! Come and enjoy a whole host of activities, performances and pop-ups for the whole family.
CS Lewis SquareSound Spa Experience
Step into a journey of tranquillity and rejuvenation within the walls of the former Minor Pool at Templemore Baths Heritage Space.
East Block Bazaar
Little Fox Events and EastSide Arts present the East Block Bazaar alongside a host of local traders selling art, delicious food and more!
Banana BlockReturn to Stillness – Poetry Reading and Q&A
In a world of constant noise, let these poems give you a moment of peace.
Sporting EastSide on Film
Over the years, east Belfast has arguably produced more sporting stars - and in a few cases superstars - than any other part of the city.
Hand-building in Clay Workshops – East Belfast Buildings
Using slab building techniques you can recreate an East Belfast building, pick an iconic landmark or get a little closer to home.
Hand-building in Clay Workshop: East Belfast Landmarks
Using slab building techniques, you can recreate an East Belfast building, either by picking an iconic landmark - or choosing something a little closer to home.
Three Pay Days
From the producer of Not On Our Watch, Three Pay Days is a searing portrayal of the human cost of austerity within a rigged social security…
The Sanctuary TheatreHand-building in Clay Workshop – BSL Interpreted
Using slab building techniques you can recreate an East Belfast building, pick an iconic landmark or get a little closer to home.
Writing Home – Jan Carson and Aimee Walsh in Conversation
Join Belfast-based writers Aimee Walsh and Jan Carson for a reading and engaging chat about the joys and trials of writing about this part of the…
EastSide Visitor CentreCandlemaking Workshop
Join at Boundary Brewing for a relaxing, fun, hands-on event - learning how to make your own luxury fragranced soy wax candle.
My Name Is Jean
In this rehearsed reading, excerpts from the book will be read, many of them detailing Jean Craig's eight decades living in the east of the city.
The Sun Always Shines In The East
Come and take part in a fun day of arts activities, see the Art Studio and meet the creatives from Brain Injury Matters.
Rosie McGurran Exhibition Tours with BSL Interpreter
Enjoy a short tour of the ArtisAnn Gallery, including the current exhibition by Rosie McGurran RUA.
ArtisAnn GalleryBelfast Tales and Tunes
Join storyteller Sharon Dickson and musician Geoff Hatt for an afternoon of tales and tunes of Belfast.
Late Night Art
Join at Connswater Shopping Centre for a Late Night Opening of art exhibitions and a live DJ in the centre.
Boundary Board Games Swap Shop
Growing in popularity, the Boundary Board Games session takes place every Thursday night - and for festival week they're hosting a board game swap shop.
A Night of Classic Country Music with The Boondocks
Enjoy a night of Classic Country Music with The Boondocks at the Harland & Wolff Staff Club as part of EastSide Arts Festival.
Murder She Got Wrote Off
It’s a live staging of a real Murder episode, but with a hilarious twist - it’s a drinking game.
‘Look Up East’ Walking Tour
Peter McCabe’s 90-minute walking tour encourages EastSiders to take a walk through their neighbourhoods, look up - and see the surprises in store!
EastSide Visitor CentreGuy Mitchell’s Dog’s Dead… Pass It On
Written by Sam Robinson, performed by Kealan McAllister, Directed by Trevor Gill with Tech Support from Matt Grimes.
The Sanctuary TheatreDragtastic Cabaret with BSL Interpreter
Possibly the hottest ticket of the festival… international glamour duo Deven Green & Handsome Ned make a guest appearance!
Down the Road – Songs about Places and Journeys
One of the highlights of last year’s festival was the ‘In at the Deep End’ evening at the Staff Club, featuring a stunning quartet of songwriter/musicians.
Jazzie B
There are few names in the UK better-loved or more legendary than Trevor Beresford Romeo, aka Jazzie B.
Banana BlockGeorge Best Tours Festival Special
During this 45-minute event, both Neil and Stephen will play George at different stages in his life, and all within the confines of the legend’s childhood…
George Best HouseFORGE 24
FORGE 24 will bring together the best in streetdance talent from all across Ireland and the UK to duke it out in a series of Streetdance…
Drag Queen Storytelling
Drag Queen Story Time brings your favourite childhood stories to life through the art of drag!
Writing Workshop with Olga Dermott-Bond and Katie Griffiths
Poets Olga Dermott-Bond and Katie Griffiths, both originally from Belfast, are published by Nine Arches Press, a leading poetry press based in the Midlands.
Poetry Reading with Olga Dermott-Bond and Katie Griffiths
A reading and question and answer session from participating poets Olga Demott-Bond and Katie Griffiths, chaired by Belfast-based author Jan Carson.
Ciaran Bartlett’s Comedy Club with Colin Geddis, Aaron Butler and Jazmynne Sierra
Following last year's sell-out show, MC Ciarán Bartlett is pleased to return to Banana Block with another sensational lineup of Belfast's premiere comedians.
Banana BlockForge24 Hip-Hop Afterparty
HotBox Entertainment presents a night of Hip-Hop featuring a line-up of 3 of Belfast’s finest local artists, including renowned rapper Juntzu.
Creative Play Day
Come along to the Carew Family Centre for a fun-filled morning of creativity and imagination tailored for families of all shapes and sizes!
Tumble Circus Presents: Banjaxed
Class circus, big laughs and dead-on skill - 35 minutes of death-defying aerial hula hoops, duo trapeze, slapstick, and loads of craic.
Beats & Bites
Dance and sway around the Holywood Arches, while listening to music on silent disco headsets.
EastSide Visitor CentreShakespeare Masterclass
This three-hour workshop is suitable for professionals, drama teachers and pre-professionals with a serious interested in drama.
Seedhead Street Art Market
Street artists don’t just do murals. They do great T-shirts and stickers and prints - and in one case, even massive tapestries.
Jozef Dani Trio
The trio are excited to continue at the EastSide arts festival with passion and flare.
The Bard and the Beverage
An intimate, relaxed and entertaining evening that will give you the inside scoop on playing Shakespeare.
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