“Well mucker, wind your neck in.”
There’s more to Belfast than the Titanic, don’t you know.
From George Best to C.S Lewis, we’ve been producing legends in every stratosphere for an absolute age.
So if this is your city, stand-up and be proud. These are the things only YOU understand.
1. The lawns at City Hall on a sunny day
Work in an office? Wee hint of the sun outside?
Grab the nearest Marks & Spencer picnic lunch, we’re heading to the City Hall lawn along with every other solicitor, banker and accountant within a 700 mile radius.
Trust us, the sun only needs to think about putting his hat on for the lawns of City Hall to be swarmed by a sea of suits.
2. The Botanic Gardens on an even sunnier day
For everyone else though, it’s all about the Botanic Gardens.
Half-naked students, liquid lunches and footballs and frisbees galore.
You can’t beat it with a big stick.
3. Going barmy for Boojum
This Mexican burrito bar has taken Belfast by storm and you’d want to get there early if you’ve any hope of getting served during your lunch break.
In fact, what are you doing reading this? You should have started queuing for your fajita four days ago.
4. Your “fact” about the Europa Hotel
Chatting to a culchie AKA somebody from outside of Belfast?
You’ll immediately tell them that the Europa Hotel isn’t just “the most bombed hotel in Europe”, but it’s “the most bombed hotel in world. Ever. EVER”
Sure look, it even has its own Wikipedia page.
5. Heading to the Mad Hatter for the mother of all Ulster Fries
Just off the Lisburn Road, everyone knows that this is the perfect place to get your Sunday-morning-after-the-Saturday-night-before breakfast… albeit at three in the afternoon.
Most importantly, the staff don’t judge you when you order a pint of water, a pint of coke, a pint of milk AND a pint of tea in the one sitting.
And, of course, there are beans. There are always beans.
6. Thompson’s Garage at 4am
Where to begin?
You don’t know how you got here. You don’t know when you got here. You don’t know how you left. You don’t know when you left. You don’t know who you are any more.
Let’s never speak of this late-night club ever again. Until next weekend, obviously.
7. Crisp sandwiches
Other Irish places think they came up with idea of crisp sandwiches first, but we’re the ones who added cheesy Quavers to a loaf of Ormo sliced white bread.
And sure didn’t we even invent the crisp sandwich shop!?
The proof is in the pudding crisp sandwich.
7. The Belfast Brogue
If those culchies are still hanging around, you can speak in full-on Belfast and no one will have a clue what you’re saying.
Bout ye mate, ye wouldn’t grab me a wee gravy ring when you’re out fer a dander ya ballix. I’ll be scundered if I go out wearin’ these guddies.
See? Told you.
9. Brilliant Belfast boys
We’re proud to call George Best, Van Morrison and Kenneth Branagh our own.
For us though, the best of the bunch is Roy Walker.
Legend.
10. The most delicious, dirty kebab in town
The G-word. Gilgamesh. Enough said.
Rumour has it you can’t enter the premises unless you’re half-cut. That’s just a rumour though, we heard it from a friend of ours. We swear.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the refreshing truth about Belfast.
This Saturday 28 March we’ll be bringing our Truth Booth to Victoria Square shopping centre looking for your #RefreshingTruths.
Come along for your chance to win an i-Pad and some other epic prizes.
Sprite, the truth is refreshing.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
