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Opening them to reveal all the gorgeous reminders of Belfast you've picked up is the best part of returning home.Like those fabulous shoes spotted in a great little place on the Lisburn Road. Definitely the high point of a leisurely day browsing the intimate, stylish boutiques, the gift and lifestyle shops, finding fun and distinctive goodies along the way. Pausing only for lunch in a deli that knows its coffee.
The city centre is so easy for mixing shopping and sightseeing, it's amazing how much can be done in a day. Find all your favourite famous names at the fantastic Castle Court Shopping Centre. And for retail gems exclusively our own, try Still and Equinox for home wares, the Steen sons for sleek, Irish crafted jewellery, or Parks, Carter, Liberty Blue and Ltd. for designer fashion. And if it's a piece of Belfast character you're after, the Wicker Man, Utopia and the Belfast Welcome Centre provide wonderful local crafts and souvenirs.
One of the most popular of the bright new shopping centres that have swept Belfast over the last few years, Castle Court, just a few minutes walk from City Hall, has over 70 shops including many big names (two floors of Debenhams) and exciting boutiques too.Celtic-inspired souvenir gifts and crafts can be found at shops like the Wicker Man in Donegall Arcade, or the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place, while Utopia, in the Fountain Centre, has a wide range of innovation gift ideas from around the world as well as lovely Irish jewellery and ceramics. Don't miss the exquisite designer jewellery at Steensons in Bedford Street.
Belfast was built on the success of its linen industry and you can still find marvellous local linen products at Smyth's Irish Linens, opposite CastleCourt Shopping Centre, and the Irish Linen Store in the Fountain Centre. In recent years Irish linen has become popular with some of the world's top fashion designers. Richard Gibson's men's linen suits and shirts at Smyth and Gibson in Bedford House are now world famous, while acclaimed local designer Michelle O'Doherty (9, Chichester Street) specialises in Irish linen too.
St George's Market Near the waterfront, the beautiful St George's Market, the oldest covered market in Ireland, now holds a fabulous food and flower spectacular, the City Food and Garden Market, each Saturday, from 10am – 4pm with over 100 stalls selling everything from the finest organic meats, Irish cheeses and fresh fish to a huge selection of cut flowers, plants and shrubs. The Friday Variety Market (6am- 2pm), has lots of fish stalls and butchers and stalls selling clothes, antiques, second hand books, wonderful Irish cheeses, crepes and pastries and much more. Look out for a series of special events throughout the year too, including craft fairs and Christmas markets.
St George's Market is one of Belfast's oldest attractions. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted:
It also won the Supreme Award for Contribution to Food in Ireland 2002 by the Irish Food Writers Guild. Since its £4.5m refurbishment in 1997, this charming Victorian building offers one of the most vibrant and colorful events that Belfast has to offer. As well as being home to some of the finest fresh produce this country has to offer, St George's Market is now also a prime venue for:
Weekly markets
The Variety Market opens at 6.00am every Friday and runs until approximately 1.00pm. A range of products are sold at the market including food, antiques and clothes. The City Food and Garden Market takes place every Saturday from 9.00am until 3.00pm. The market offers a huge range of local, continental and speciality foods.
The Oxford Exchange
In addition to the large stallage area the market also contains six retail outlets and one of Belfast's best restaurants, The Oxford Exchange. It is situated on the first floor mezzanine area and is accessed via the Oxford Street entrance. It is open 12.00 noon to 1.00am daily
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ http://www.dochara.com
Excerpt from "introducing/Belfast" published by Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau
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