Causeway Coast fashion designer Sara O’Neill was invited this week for an official preview of the Regency Belfast apartments on the Crescent in the university district.
“I’ll stop by one of the newly renovated buildings in Upper Crescent later,” she tweeted. “I lived on Claremont Street for years and passed these buildings every day. It was sad to see them in such a dire state.”
The buildings she looked at were uninhabitable and needed extensive repairs to restore their original elegance.
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“It was beautiful,” she said after the viewing. “So lovely to see so much life around the buildings and great to see such a sympathetic renovation.”
She posted a series of beautifully captured photos on Twitter highlighting its myriad of features.
Her photos caused a flood of “wows” from admirers.
As someone put it, “Only an artist’s eye would see and appreciate this. Thanks for sharing. [I’m a] man from Belfast, but never appreciate or recognize the beautiful buildings around me until you tweet them.”
Business partners Anthony Kieran and Cecil Hetherington of investment company Aurient Ltd have bought five buildings, two of which have now been renovated at a cost of £3million.
“We are creating six short-term luxury five-star rentals in one building for a minimum of three days at a time,” Kieran said.
“Somewhere really comfortable for people coming to Belfast to visit family or work.”
Prices after opening will be in line with five-star hotel rooms, for people who may want to cook or go to the city center, he added.
During renovations they found a Newsletter from 1940 in the attic.
“It was full of fascinating stories about the war,” he added.
The official opening of the apartments will be around March. Reservations can be made via www.theregencybelfast.com
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Chances are most people probably drove through it before realizing they were in it, but Drum does leave a lasting impression – as it’s the only Protestant village in the Republic of Ireland.
Are any of the Shankill Butchers still alive?
William Moore was the last member of the gang to be released from prison in August 1998, after more than twenty-one years behind bars. He died of a suspected heart attack at his home on May 17, 2009 and was given a paramilitary funeral by the UVF. Now that Moore has passed away, the only senior figure still alive is “Mr A”.
Who killed the Shankill Butchers? On November 16, 1982, 22 years ago, the IRA executed the psychopathic leader of the Shankill Butchers, Lenny Murphy.
Is Lenny Murphy still alive?
Who shot Robert Basher Bates?
ROBERT ‘BASHER’ BATES, A ONCE MEMBER of the infamous Shankill Butcher gang, was shot dead in Belfast on Wednesday morning 11 June. It is believed that he was murdered by loyalists.
Who is Mr A of the Shankill Butchers?
John Alexander Thompson Murphy (26 August 1950 – 10 August 1998) was a loyalist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was one of three leading men in the “Shankill Butchers”, an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) murder gang.
Who caught the Shankill Butchers?
| Lenny Murphy | |
|---|---|
| cause of death | Multiple gunshot wounds |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Lenny Murphy |
| Famous for | Chief of Shankill Butchers Ulster Volunteer Force Officer |
Who is Mr A of the Shankill Butchers?
John Alexander Thompson Murphy (26 August 1950 – 10 August 1998) was a loyalist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was one of three leading men in the “Shankill Butchers”, an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) murder gang.
Who was the leader of the Shankill Butchers?
The commander of the Shankill Butchers gang was Lenny Murphy. Murphy was the youngest of three sons born to Joyce (née Thompson) and William Murphy from the loyalist Shankill Road area of Belfast. At school, he was known as a bully and threatened other boys with a knife or in retaliation from his two older brothers.
What were the names of the Shankill Butchers?
The gang became known for kidnapping and brutally murdering the Catholics they had rounded up.
- Lenny Murphy who was leader of the Shankill Butchers gang. †
- Shankill Butcher Robert ‘Basher’ Bates pleaded guilty to 10 counts of murder. †
- Shankill Butcher William Moore pleaded guilty to 11 counts of murder.
Is Queen’s Quarter Belfast safe?
Anyway, yes, the Cathedral Quarter is as safe as anywhere in the city center which is just as safe as any other major UK city. Just use the same street wisdom you would anywhere else and you should be fine.
What is the roughest part of Northern Ireland? The statistics also ranked the places with the best and worst living environment. The worst turned out to be the Windsor area of Belfast. The best was considered to be in Ballyclare West – in the borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey.
What are the roughest parts of Belfast?
The main areas to avoid in Belfast are the areas around the Shankill and Falls roads at night (West Belfast), areas in North Belfast such as Tiger’s Bay, New Lodge and Ardoyne (at night) and the areas such as Short Strand in East Belfast (again, at night).
Is South Belfast dangerous?
At night until about 10pm, the city center and south Belfast are still very safe, but once you get to the pub it becomes less pleasant. You’d probably still be fine, but personally I’d say don’t do it unless you have to.
Where should I not live in Belfast?
The Antrim Road (including Carlisle Circus) and Shore Road areas are best avoided at night. The Limestone Road is an interface (one side is a Nationalist area, the other a Unionist enclave) and should be avoided at night due to occasional violence.
Which part of Belfast is safe?
West Belfast is perfectly safe and generally tourist-friendly during the day as long as you don’t stray too far from the main roads. Do not go off the Falls Road at night. The Shankill Road itself is best avoided, especially at night. Falls Park and the area around it is poorly lit at night and best avoided.
Where is safe to stay in Belfast?
Belfast Hotels & Places to Stay
- Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, an IHG hotel. 1,642 reviews. †
- Europe hotel. †
- Jurys Inn Belfast. †
- The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast. †
- Crowne Plaza Belfast, an IHG hotel. †
- Culloden Estate & Spa. †
- Premier Inn Belfast City Center (Alfred Street) hotel. †
- Holiday Inn Express Belfast City, an IHG hotel.
Is South Belfast safe?
At night until about 10pm, the city center and south Belfast are still very safe, but once you get to the pub it becomes less pleasant. You’d probably still be fine, but personally I’d say don’t do it unless you have to.
Is Queens at Belfast safe?
Belfast is a British capital, welcoming, easy to get to and an affordable place to live and study. It is also in the UK’s safest region (UK Crime Surveys 2018/19). While Belfast is thriving as a global destination for food, culture, art and shopping, Queen’s is the social and cultural heart of the city.
Is Belfast rough?
Belfast’s reputation as a dangerous city is often exaggerated. A recent United Nations International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) survey shows that Northern Ireland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Is Queen’s Belfast good for law?
Law at QUB is ranked 18th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2021. Law is ranked 5th in the UK for career prospects in the Times Good University Guide 2021.
Is Belfast safe for tourists?
Belfast is safer than most cities. Take the same normal precautions you would take in any city. Belfast is slowly becoming much more cosmopolitan and is well accustomed to many visitors from the south (Ireland) and England, as well as from around the world.
When should I avoid Belfast? The main areas to avoid in Belfast are the areas around the Shankill and Falls roads at night (West Belfast), areas in North Belfast such as Tiger’s Bay, New Lodge and Ardoyne (at night) and the areas such as Short Strand in East Belfast (again, at night).
Is Belfast still dangerous?
Is it safe? Belfast is a very safe city – especially in the central part of the city where great shopping destinations, hotels, bars and restaurants can be found. The atmosphere will feel like a small village in a metropolis and the people are traditionally friendly and helpful.
Is it safe in Belfast now?
OVERALL RISK: LOW. While the city used to be notorious for being the center of politically motivated crimes, it is now a very safe place to visit. You should have no problems while staying here.
Is Belfast still rough?
Although it has been the hub of the Troubles for 25 years, today West Belfast is as safe as anywhere else in the city to visit. However, there is little architectural note in the mainly residential streets and most of the “sights” are associated with the area’s turbulent past.
Is Northern Ireland safe for tourists?
Is it safe to visit Northern Ireland? Yes. Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe and our people are known for their warm welcome. Decades ago, during the years of civil unrest, tourists were rarely affected.
Can I go to Northern Ireland Covid?
Travelers coming to Northern Ireland do not need to: complete a passenger locator form. show proof of vaccination status. perform all pre-departure or post-arrival tests.
Is Northern Ireland a dangerous country?
Northern Ireland is a very safe country to visit – at least when it comes to street crime, violent crime and petty crime. Compared to other European countries, the crime rate is very low and the crime that does take place is mainly fueled by alcohol, so you should avoid wandering the streets of Northern Ireland late at night.
Is Belfast safe for an English person?
Northern Ireland is the safest region in the UK, safer than Scotland, England and Wales. Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is actually one of the safest cities in the UK. A study has named Belfast as the second safest city in the entire UK to live in, just after Birmingham.
Can an English person live in Northern Ireland?
British nationals do not require a visa or residence permit to live, work or study in Ireland. Within the Common Travel Area (CTA), British and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other’s countries and travel freely between the countries. Both the British and Irish governments are committed to protecting the CTA.
Is Ireland safe for English tourists?
OVERALL RISK: LOW. Ireland is generally very safe and you are unlikely to encounter any problems traveling there. But do not be wary and be vigilant at all times.
Is Belfast Catholic or Protestant?
In the areas of Belfast City Council and Derry and Strabane County Council, figures at ward level range from 99% Protestant to 92% Catholic.
What is the main religion in Belfast? Christianity is the main religion in Northern Ireland. The 2011 UK census showed 40.8% Catholic, 19.1% Presbyterian Church, with the Church of Ireland 13.7% and the Methodist Church 5.0%.
Is Northern Ireland mainly Catholic or Protestant?
Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (predominantly Catholic) and Northern Ireland (predominantly Protestant).
Is Southern Ireland Catholic or Protestant?
Believe. Ireland has two main religious groups. The majority of Irish people are Roman Catholic and a smaller number are Protestant (mostly Anglicans and Presbyterians). However, there is a majority of Protestants in the northern province of Ulster.
Why are Protestants declining in Northern Ireland?
One of the reasons for the decline of the Protestant population is that it is an older community with a higher mortality rate. Other factors include migration and the increase in the number of people defining themselves as having no religion of any kind.
Is Belfast a Protestant city?
As you can see, West Belfast is primarily Catholic, over 90% in most areas. For many years the Catholic population expanded to the south west, but in recent years it has begun to expand around the Shankill and north of Belfast. The east of the city is predominantly Protestant, usually 90% or more.
What is the most Protestant town in Northern Ireland?
Ballymena is the pinnacle of Northern Ireland’s bible belt, the seat of the Paisley family, and a place sometimes compared to 1960s Mississippi. It’s rural, conservative, predominantly born-again Christian, and predominantly Protestant.
Is Belfast majority Protestant or Catholic?
There are now more Catholics than Protestants in Belfast.
Is Belfast more Catholic or Protestant?
| Neighbourhood | Belfast |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 40% |
| Protestant and other Christians | 49.5% |
| Other | 8.7% |
Is Northern Ireland more Catholic or Protestant?
Like Britain (but unlike most of the Republic of Ireland), Northern Ireland has historically had a large number of Protestants (as of the 2011 census, 48% of the population had been raised Protestant or Protestant, while 45% of the inhabitants were either Catholic or raised Catholic).
Is it safe to go to Belfast?
Belfast is a very safe city – especially in the central part of the city, which is home to great shopping destinations, hotels, bars and restaurants. The atmosphere will feel like a small village in a metropolis and the people are traditionally friendly and helpful.
Can Belfast visit Covid? You should not travel to Northern Ireland if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 result.
Is it safe to travel to Belfast Ireland?
Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe and our people are known for their warm welcome. Decades ago, during the years of civil unrest, tourists were rarely affected. Everyone can expect a safe and enjoyable holiday here. As with any destination, common sense applies when traveling.
Do I need a Covid test to travel to Belfast?
Travelers coming to Northern Ireland do not need to: complete a passenger locator form. show proof of vaccination status. perform all pre-departure or post-arrival tests.
When should I travel after testing positive for COVID-19?
You have tested positive for COVID-19. Do not travel until 10 full days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
Can I travel during the coronavirus disease pandemic?
Before traveling internationally, make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination is still the best way to protect yourself from serious illness and slow the spread of COVID-19. People who are unaware of their COVID-19 vaccines should follow additional recommendations after travelling.
Is Northern Ireland Safe 2021?
Northern Ireland is a very safe country to visit – at least when it comes to street crime, violent crime and petty crime. Compared to other European countries, the crime rate is very low and the crime that does take place is mainly fueled by alcohol, so you should avoid wandering the streets of Northern Ireland late at night.
Is Northern Ireland still dangerous?
Northern Ireland is a complicated place, but it’s generally a safe and welcoming destination these days – remember to talk politics and religion. Many people have an outdated view of beautiful Northern Ireland, a country colored by grim memories of regular bombings up to the 1990s.
Is Belfast still dangerous?
Is it safe? Belfast is a very safe city – especially in the central part of the city where great shopping destinations, hotels, bars and restaurants can be found. The atmosphere will feel like a small village in a metropolis and the people are traditionally friendly and helpful.