How safe is Central Belfast?

DB21

I'm planning on going a two night trip to Belfast in January, and I'm just wondering how safe Central Belfast is right now? I know there's a bit of trouble recently, and obviously I'd prefer any potential trip to be as safe as possible. So any feedback from residents/people who've been there recently? Thanks

awec

You'll be fine.

martinedwards

don't dress provocatively in either a celtic or gaelic football shirt, or a Union flag shirt, and don't try to pay for stuff in euros!!

oh yeah, if you DO see trouble, WALK AWAY!!!!!

its safer than walking round certain areas of Manchester in the wrong colour shirt.

BeardySi

Centre of town? No bother.... Certainly safer than the likes of Dublin or Limerick.... Even with all the current stupidity,the actual violence happens around the estates where the oxygen thieves rioters are to be found.

Edit: Btw, enjoy the trip, I'd recommend the John Hewitt for music of the non diddley-aye variety and beer of the non Guinness, variety or Kelly's Cellars for the other.... Plenty of nightclubs for those who like music of the non-music variety!

marinell

Why not pay using euros

tuxy

marinell wrote: »

Why not pay using euros

They never joined the euro currency....

marinell

i thought the shops accepted euros

biko

The exchange rate isn't good, particularly in pubs/shops. Just use bank card and withdraw sterling.

It's very safe OP, you'll be grand.

tayto lover

You'll have no bother at all as they are a very friendly bunch by and large. The shop assistants are very mannerly and helpful.
Just wear ordinary clothes and say nothing provocative. Nice pubs and restaurants too.

tuxy

marinell wrote: »

i thought the shops accepted euros

Probably do in the border towns but Belfast is not on the border.

martinedwards

Oh fer goodness sake you aren't American, therefore don't expect everyone to accept your currency!!

would you go to the US, or Canada, or Egypt, or Japan and expect to pay in Euros? the UK is not in the Euro Zone (thank Goodness)

set the politics of we're all one island aside and wise up!!

pay by credit/debit and get cash out of a machine for cash transactions.

I've been across the border loads even waaay back in the days of punts, and I've never tried to pay in Sterling.

why do so many people find this hard to understand?

sorry, rant over!!

muffler

martinedwards wrote: »

set the politics of we're all one island aside and wise up!!

It was a simple question asked by someone who hadnt been to Belfast before. Bearing in mind that a LOT of shops in NI do accept Euros it was a reasonable question to ask and certainly did not warrant that type of abuse.

Take this as verbal warning and hopefully we wont see a repeat.

martinedwards

OK sorry for any offence caused, but this same question gets asked SOOOOOO often!!!

travel outside the eurozone and get the currency.

it aint rocket science

DB21

Thanks for all the feedback guys

martinedwards

someone DID say Belfast nightlife was pretty hot!

HemlockOption

pontia wrote: »

i dont see riots and flags on fire in dublin most nights

+1

awec

pontia wrote: »

i dont see riots and flags on fire in dublin most nights

I don't see junkies wandering around Belfast major streets.

I've lived in both, Belfast is much safer at night.

Totally Tropical

pontia wrote: »

i dont see riots and flags on fire in dublin most nights

I have yet to see rioting loyalists burning irish flags and attacking police in Dublin Limerick or Cork city centres either.The excuse before was that it was only the suburbs.After this christmas period that theory sure has gone out the window.:D

Rezident

I was in Belfast recently (not flag-riot-recently before that) and the city centre was neutral, totally safe, and both nicer and cleaner than Dublin tbh.

anncoates

I lived there for a few years and found Belfast city centre actually better than Dublin in terms of fights or aggressive behavior.

Twoandahalfmen

Was up their December 30th at the titanic quarter, nothing happened to us.

BeardySi

pontia wrote: »

<SNIP>

Nor will you see it in the centre of Belfast....

muffler

Treadhead wrote: »

Nor will you see it in the centre of Belfast....

Just to advise that the pontia account has been site banned so you can ignore that comment he/she made. I've deleted it in any event. Thanks.

jjbrien

I am pondering a trip to Belfast myself my issue is as anyone else thinks is Belfast a place to avoid latley? I used to love a few trips a year up to Belfast now im skeptical

NIMAN

Lets be honest, nothing will happen you in the city centre but you may be inconvenienced if you run into a protest.

On the outskirts or in East Belfast, you may have your car torched!

martinedwards

What he sadi!

stay out of the east, don't wear politically provocative clothing and change your euro to sterling before you travel.

have fun!

Lingua Franca

martinedwards wrote: »

stay out of the east, don't wear politically provocative clothing and change your euro to sterling before you travel.

Many shops do accept Euros but you will be totally stiffed on the exchange rate. I wouldn't even bother changing my cash at the post office or a bank though, just take it out of the bank machine once you're up there. You will pay a small set fee (you can check with your bank how much this will be) and the exchange rate at the time of withdrawal.

BeardySi

Lingua Franca wrote: »

Many shops do accept Euros but you will be totally stiffed on the exchange rate. I wouldn't even bother changing my cash at the post office or a bank though, just take it out of the bank machine once you're up there. You will pay a small set fee (you can check with your bank how much this will be) and the exchange rate at the time of withdrawal.

AFAIK there's no extra charge for Ulster Bank customers from down South if they use UB machines up here (there certainly isn't going the other way). Possibly the other cross-border banks are the same, I don't know.

muffler

Guys, you are all running off topic here.

martinedwards

Dunno mate, using a hole in the wall machine can be really dangerous!!

jemser

Planning on heading up to Belfast next weekend, been there a few times and never had any trouble. Can anyone tell me where the weekly flag protest to city hall goes? anywhere near Botanic Avenue?
Cheers