Belfast: NI airport tells Heathrow-bound passengers not to travel
A number of flights to and from Heathrow are showing as cancelled on Belfast City Airport's website.A Heathrow spokesperson said its terminals had to be shut as they "do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored".All flights scheduled between Dublin Airport and London Heathrow up until at least mid-afternoon Friday have also been cancelled.A spokesperson for Dublin Airport said further disruption to flights between Dublin and Heathrow scheduled for later on Friday "are likely".A total of 34 flights were scheduled between Dublin Airport and Heathrow on Friday.Dublin Airport advised affected passengers to contact their airline.Shannon Airport in County Clare has said it has facilitated several diverted flights originally scheduled to land at Heathrow on Friday morning, including flights from Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown Barbados, Boston, Orlando and Newark.
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Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
The perfect holiday in Northern Ireland, the UK's most underrated natural beauty
For a long time, Northern Ireland was written off by its history, which dwarfed anything that made this country shine. But to visit Northern Ireland and focus only on the Troubles would be a disservice, as well as a crying shame. This is a place of exceptional natural beauty, where the striking coastline reveals historic cliff paths and jagged caves, and a region of calm lakes is dotted with tiny islands. It's also home to a vibrant dining scene, with beachside seafood shacks and Michelin-starred restaurants, and one of the oldest food markets in the world. And of course, the Northern Irish aren't shy of a spot of nightlife. In Belfast and all over the country, there are quintessential pubs where there's always some craic to be found, along with traditional music and a bar stocked with locally distilled whiskeys and craft gins. So forget everything you thought you knew about Northern Ireland, and open yourself up to what's happening right now. For further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants, nightlife and beaches. In this guide: How to spend the perfect day in Northern Ireland Morning Kick off your trip by renting a car in Belfast and setting off to explore the Causeway Coast, a 120-mile route that snakes from the capital along the shoreline over to Derry-Londonderry. While you could technically tick off the entire route in one (long) day, there are dozens of reasons to take it at a slower pace. Your first pit stop is barely 30 minutes out of the city, at the Victorian cliffside walk, The Gobbins. On this guided experience (which can close due to rockfalls; check the website for more information), you'll pass through dark caves and over arched metal bridges that cling to the edge of the cliffs as the waves crash below. Afterwards, drive up to Ballycastle and have an early lunch in the Ursa Minor Bakehouse, the bakery where top Northern Ireland restaurants source their sourdough – try it topped with eggs and a drizzle of chilli oil.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
The best pubs and bars in Northern Ireland
Think of Northern Ireland, and thoughts of a good pub probably aren't too far behind. This is a place with an excellent pub scene, with hundreds of traditional boozers where you can enjoy a pint by the fireside, as music plays. But there's also a burgeoning cocktail scene, particularly in Belfast, and tiny old bars that are best to cosy up in with the paper for a few hours, when it's blowing a gale outside. Whatever you're after, here are some of the best places for a tipple in Northern Ireland. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants and beaches. Search nightlife by type: Best traditional pubs Crown Liquor Saloon The poster child for Northern Irish pubs, the Crown Liquor Saloon is one of those rarities that's enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Its elaborate Victorian exterior (preserved by the National Trust, no less) is matched by a darkly cosy space inside, with carved mahogany partitions, stained glass and gunmetal plates where patrons would strike matches. Nowadays, punters make do with pints of Cornish pale ale or a snifter of Bushmills whiskey. Blake's of the Hollow A traditional boozer, The Hollow feels like it hasn't changed a jot since it opened its doors in 1887. The front bar, with its tiled floors, marble bar top and lamppost style light fixtures, is perpetually cosy, and is at its best on a quiet afternoon, when you can sit with a pint and the paper. If you prefer something a little less low-key, there's live traditional music every Friday night. The Duke of York It may be one of the most popular pubs in Belfast, but walking down the cobbled alley to its entrance always feels special. That alleyway, with dozens of flower-filled hanging baskets and vintage Guinness signs, is cracking on a sunny day, but the interior is the epitome of cosiness, with a brick bar, low ceilings and weathered floor tiles. Nab a seat by the vintage printing press, to see if you can spot the dirty words hidden in the lettering. Sunflower Though the Sunflower name on the door is relatively new, this spot has been the home to a pub for over 100 years. The entrance is distinctive, with a bright green cage over the door (leftover from The Troubles) and the sign outside is one of the most photographed in Belfast: 'No topless sunbathing. Ulster has suffered enough'. There aren't any bells and whistles inside, but an excellent selection of craft beers like Yardsman stout and Kinnegar ales, and there's a beer garden, too. Best for live music Peadar O'Donnell's A minimalist's nightmare, this pub has paraphernalia hanging from every inch of space, from antique sewing machines to a proliferation of flags. As such, it feels like a quintessential Irish pub, particularly in the evening, with traditional musicians filling the room with song. Get a low table in the corner, order a well-poured pint of Guinness, and listen to the masters at work. House of McDonnell Owned by the same family for almost 300 years, this listed building is where you'll find some of the best traditional music in the country, with a session every Friday night, and other gigs throughout the week. It's on the Ballycastle Trad Music Trail, and it's even been name checked in some traditional Irish songs and poems. There's a charming little outdoor area, with weathered brick walls and wooden seats, and it's open until 1am. Best for chic cocktails The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant If you'd rather drink a negroni in style than step over a sticky, beer-stained floor, The Cocktail Bar in The Merchant Hotel is a great choice. This relatively small bar has a sophisticated, old-world sense of style, with plenty of dark wood, burgundy velvet armchairs and an antique fireplace. More importantly, the cocktails are impeccable, and you're served a little 'browsing drink' made with Jawbox gin, while you peruse the menu. Rattlebag Don't be put off by the fact that this cocktail bar is inside a hotel – this intimate spot has built up some serious kudos since it opened, with a menu that changes with the seasons and a series of pop-up collaborations with hip wine bars and musical folks. Expect to see quirky ingredients shaken up with classics, like pine distillate in a martini or cumin tincture in a gimlet. Best for cosy vibes The 1614 Bar Part of the historic, thatched Old Inn, this pub feels like a traditional carriage house, with low ceilings, thick wooden beams and roaring fires. It can get busy in the evening, when there's live sport on or a local band playing, but it's an ideal spot for a quiet Irish coffee if you've been out walking in the Crawfordsburn Country Park. They also serve food at lunchtime, with pub food like smoked haddock or fish and chips. Daft Eddy's Technically, this is more a seafood restaurant than a standalone pub, but the bar is lovely and cosy (and if it's sunny, the outdoor tables right on the water are perfect). Plus, if you're coming from Portaferry, you can take a 10-minute ferry journey to save you the drive, which adds to the novelty factor. Area: Strangford Lough Website: Price: £ How we choose Every bar, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 21 best restaurants in Northern Ireland
If you're into your food, you'll be spoilt rotten in Northern Ireland. There are several standout food producers in this small land, from artisanal butchers and butter makers to those fishing for local crab, lobster and mussels. All of which means the restaurants here have some of the best produce to choose from. In Belfast, you'll find Michelin-starred restaurants with an edge, as well as cosy, neighbourhood bistros slinging out excellent plates. And outside of the city, there are top-notch restaurants specialising in seafood or hearty pub grub. Here are some of the best places to eat when you're visiting Northern Ireland. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, nightlife and beaches. Find restaurants by type: Best all-rounders Mourne Seafood Bar The seafood all around the island of Ireland is cracking, and this is the perfect place to sample it. Start with the oysters, from down the coast in Carlingford, either with a kicky Japanese dressing or served with a spicy Bloody Mary shot, then order whatever's freshest, from crab on toast to Dundrum mussels. Their traditional seafood chowder is particularly good, too. Harry's Shack A must-visit for any seafood fans, Harry's Shack has cult status in Northern Ireland – and with good reason. Set on the sands of Portstewart beach, this casual restaurant serves up the best local fare, from local mussels cooked in Irish cider, to whole black sole on the bone. On summer days, you can have drinks outside on the terrace, and if you time a visit to align with sunset then you're onto a winner. Noble With lights hanging from the ceiling and specials scrawled on a blackboard wall, Noble looks every part the hip, neighbourhood bistro. And the food has people coming from far and wide – think beef tartare with a punchy bloody dressing and beef dripping toast, or suckling pig with kohlrabi and pear. You can get more casual fare in the bar downstairs, like dressed crab or arancini, and the wine list is top notch. Roam It started life as a pop-up, but now Roam has a permanent setup right in the city centre of Belfast. There's a casual feel to the space, with tobacco leather banquettes and an open pass, but the food leans more towards fine dining. The menu is concise and to the point, focusing on classic components like Mourne lamb, jazzed up with quirkier notes like smoked yoghurt. They do a great set lunch menu, too. J.J. Farrall's There's an old world sense of opulence to this dining room, with burgundy leather seats, brushed gold railings and fern plants dripping from the ceiling. The menu has a classic feel, with dishes like fluffy cheese souffles with wilted leeks, or a whole lemon sole with caper butter, but on the plate things are kept contemporary and elegant. Return to index Best for families The Bushmills Inn A restaurant that shares its name with a whiskey may not scream family-friendly, but The Bushmills Inn is great for kids, particularly in the summer when you can eat outside. Otherwise, the dark and cosy interior complements the hearty comfort food, like Sunday roasts with stuffing, crackling and Yorkshire puddings, or a sugar pit pork chop with bone marrow jus. They have a decent kids' menu, as well as ice cream sundaes for those of all ages. Fodder in the Woods What kid wouldn't want to eat lunch in a giant teepee? On this farm near Strangford Lough, their all-weather tent has a roaring fire in the middle to keep things toasty, and an excellent offering of dishes, the best of which feature their own Finnebrogue Woods Dexter Beef, like their thick burgers or toasties with kimchi. The kids have a well-priced menu, as do the neighbourhood dogs. Maegden Formerly a tiny caravan slinging out cheese toasties by the Giant's Causeway, Maegden is now a cheese shop and deli in Bushmills. Those toasties are still on the menu though, and they're well worth the hype, made with local sourdough, oozey farmhouse cheeses like Irish Scamorza, Young Buck or Gubbeen, and lashings of salty melted butter. Kids love their signature hot chocolate, topped with a scorched heap of homemade marshmallows. The Parson's Nose Exactly the kind of place you'd want to find yourself on a miserable day, this cosy gastropub always has a fire lit, whether it's in the dining room or the pizza oven. The menu is huge, with classic pub grub like pork belly and roast lamb alongside quirkier options like venison ragu with gin-soaked raisins or duck with pineapple salsa. There's a kids' menu, and they'll also make smaller pizzas for little ones. Return to index Best for cheap eats Flout! A favourite among Irish chefs, Flout! isn't in the handiest location but always has a line outside, with locals looking for their fix of thick, Detroit-style pizza with vodka sausage or thin, charred New York slices. You can order whole pies or eat your slice outside, balanced on a whiskey barrel. They do excellent slabs of focaccia, which they make up into a daily sandwich offering. Area: East Belfast Website: Price: £ Reservations: Not needed Coppi Right by the MAC, this sleek restaurant is great if you just want a quick nibble, rather than a full meal. Grab a seat at their cicchetti bar and you can pick from bites like feta fritters with truffle honey or anchovy bruschetta, along with Italian wines available by the glass or carafe. The pastas available in the main restaurant are well priced, too. Ursa Minor Bakehouse You'll find their sourdough on the menus of top restaurants all over Northern Ireland, but this is the main hub of their bakery operations. In addition to the counter, selling loaves, pastries and buns, you can get a coffee and a treat to eat on site – try the blood orange Danish or custard bakewells. It's a great place to stock up before a trip up the Causeway Coast. mrDeanes Following the closure of his Michelin-starred Deanes Eipic, Michael Deane opened this more casual restaurant in its place. It has a bistro feel, and the menu is less formal and at a decent price point, with bites like fried whitebait, arancini and crab mayonnaise on toast. There's a good plat du jour, and seats at the bar for solo diners. Return to index Best for fine dining The Muddlers Club This Michelin-starred restaurant still has a bit of a punky edge, thanks to the graffiti walls, open kitchen and the dishes (and cocktails) that arrive at the table in a cloud of smoke. The eight-course tasting menu is heavy on seasonal ingredients, like morels, wild garlic and rhubarb, and there's a full vegetarian menu available as well. The wine pairings are solid, but those aforementioned cocktails are excellent, like their smoked Old Fashioned. OX A light-filled restaurant down by the River Lagan, OX is a slick, elegant space with a Michelin star and a menu of delicate dishes packed with rich flavours, like halibut with lardo and bonito butter, or smoked veal with black garlic. Their three-course lunch menu offers great value. If you can't snag a reservation then OX Cave next door is a great consolation prize, with wines by the glass, charcuterie and cheese plates. Wine and Brine You might not expect to find a restaurant of this calibre in such a small village, but this spot lures people out from Belfast and all over Northern Ireland. The set lunch/early evening menu is incredibly good value, but there's far more variety on the expansive à la carte, with items like beef cheek beignets, brown crab on warm crumpets and fish crudo. James St With exposed brick walls, splashy artwork and simple tables, this bistro has a vaguely New York steakhouse feel. The focus is all on the food, which centres around well-sourced Northern Irish beef; the best being the sharing tomahawks or the pichana cut you'll find on the set menu. There are other dishes available, but really, this is the place to go when only a steak will do. Frae Though the space is fairly unassuming, the food they're knocking out of the kitchen here is exemplary. There's no tasting menu, but you can order a heap of nibbles and sharing plates, like gildas with punchy Young Buck blue cheese and bread with marmite butter, before tucking into larger plates like their star dish, the crispy chicken marbella with capers and olives. There's also an excellent cocktail menu. Return to index Best for walk-ins Walled City Brewery This microbrewery is set in a former barracks and blends historic features like exposed beams and industrial breezeblocks with quirky art and chandeliers made from bottles. Unsurprisingly, there's an extensive menu of their own craft beer (get a flight to taste a few options), but the food is top-quality pub grub, with chargrilled burgers, pork belly and Sunday roasts served in giant Yorkshire puddings. Established With filament light bulbs, communal tables and brushed concrete floors, you could easily dismiss this as a hipster hangout. But while they take their coffee very seriously, it's not just a place for a flat white – their brunch-centric menu features plates like garlicky mushrooms on thick wedges of sourdough or milk buns filled with Irish halloumi. Their 'pie and drip' menu changes every week, with slabs like lemon meringue or coconut cream pie on offer with classic drip coffee. Neighbourhood Café There's a calming, Nordic vibe to Neighbourhood, but the brunch menu is anything but virtuous – think French toast made with banana bread and miso caramel, or a breakfast bap stuffed with bacon, sausage, egg and smoked cheese. Their coffee is excellent, but their range of Masala chai teas (iced on a hot day) are top notch. Save space for a cereal milk-flavoured soft serve afterwards. Return to index How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations. Return to index About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
