ACCOMMODATION
If you are choosing a non-residential delegate package a range of accommodation will be available throughout Belfast City. All bookings can be made via our partnership with Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau.
SOCIAL PROGRAMME
The Social Programme will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 5 August 2010 immediately following the Conference Closing Ceremony
Visit the Registration page for full costs and payment details
Social Event 1: Giant’s Causeway
The Giants Causeway is a magnificent, mysterious formation on the North East coast of County Antrim which presents legend, ancient history, astonishing geology and remarkable natural flora and fauna.
The setting is a spectacular dynamic coastal landscape of Atlantic waves, rugged cliffs, fascinating geographical antiquity, secluded bays and magnificent views. The Causeway forms a jagged headland of neatly packed columns which point towards Scotland. Visitors can walk along the basalt columns which are at the edge of the sea, almost two miles from the entrance to the site.
After walking along the beautiful coast path, you will find yourself confronted by Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which crosses a 24m deep and 18m wide chasm to the tiny Carrick Island.
Price includes an “On The Rocks” presentation.
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Social Event 2: Armagh Itinerary
Option 1: Navan Centre
Visit the Navan Centre, which interprets one of the Ireland’s most important ancient monuments, Navan Fort! This was the royal seat of the Kings of Ulster and the Province’s ancient capital. Start your tour in the ‘Vanished World’ of lost myths, travel into the ‘Real World’ of archaeology and then enter the ‘Other World’ to hear the legends of the Ulster Cycle. Visit the Iron Age dwelling and through historical costumed interpretation, learn about their way of life. Finally walk the path of history to the great Ancient Seat of Kings, Navan Fort. Exhibitions are multi-lingual.
To the west of Armagh lies Navan Fort, the ancient Emain Macha of Irish history and legend and the earliest capital of Ulster. This ancient site sets the tales of Macha, Cuchulainn, Deirdre and heroes of the Red Branch Knights. According to the early Christian scribes, Irish history began with the founding of Emain Macha. Archaeologists have made many fascinating discoveries at Navan, including the traces of a giant Celtic temple.
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Option 2:Saint Patrick’s Trian
Saint Patrick's Trian Visitor Complex is an exciting visitor complex located in the heart of Armagh City. The Complex features three major exhibitions:
1. The Armagh Story
Step back in time and visit historic Armagh - from massive stone monuments of pre history, with its myths and legends, to the coming of Saint Patrick and Celtic Christianity. Travel on through a Viking raid and pass the funeral of an Irish High King. This will bring you on to meet Francis Johnston, the renowned Armagh architect, who relates the history of Georgian buildings in the city in a most unusual manner.
A thought provoking audio-visual presentation portrays 'Belief' throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Armagh, as the Christian Capital of Ireland.
2. Patrick's Testament - The Book of Armagh
A new exhibition on the Book of Armagh has recently opened at the centre. The interactive displays allow the visitor to find out about this ancient manuscript through touch screen computers and hands on activities.
The Book of Armagh is one of the greatest treasures to survive from Early Christian Ireland. The Book, written in the year 807 by the scribe Ferdomnach, is one of Ireland's most precious historic records because of what it tells us about Saint Patrick.
In the new exhibition you can find out about the Book, its links with Saint Patrick, and Armagh - the Christian Capital of Ireland. The computers allow you to question three people who were connected with the Book and discover how to make medieval inks and a quill pen. Other hands-on activities include tracing the symbols for St Matthew taken from the manuscript and making a rubbing of one of its pages.
3. The Land of Lilliput
Jonathan Swift, author and clergyman, spent time in the Armagh area and his most famous work 'Gullivers Travels' is encapsulated in the fantasy 'Land of Lilliput'. Here, the adventures are narrated with the help of a 20 foot giant!
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Option 3: Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals and Museum Talk
The spiritual Capital of Ireland for 1500 years and the seat of both Church of Ireland and Catholic archbishops, Armagh is the oldest and most venerated of Irish Cities and has a long Christian heritage.
St. Patrick founded his chief church on the Hill of Armagh where the Church of Ireland Cathedral now stands as early as 445 AD. On the opposite hill, two large marble archbishops, who gaze across the town, flank the twin-spired Catholic Cathedral. No visit to Armagh is complete without a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedrals.
The Palace Stables exhibition, with its living history characters shows what life would have been like in the household of the Archbishop of Armagh in the Georgian city and Armagh County Museum provides fascinating exhibitions and archaeological finds from the Early Christian period.
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Option 4: Armagh Planetarium
Armagh Planetarium reopened in the summer of 2006 following a major refurbishment programme. The Digital Theatre has been completely refurbished with the world's most advanced digital projection system, Digistar 3. A customized sound system designed by BOSE, a state-of-the-art LED lighting system and purpose-built reclining seats have also been added to enhance the visitor's experience.
You will travel to the International Space Station, outwards to Mars in our 3D stereo room and the new immersive gallery can project stereoscopic animations of Solar System exploration. Visitors can use interactive displays to learn about the cosmos and watch the latest space news in real time. The Armagh Celestial Cathedral is a beautiful gallery of illuminated deep space images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope framed in dramatic gothic arches.
The Astropark is a scale model of the Universe where visitors can walk through the Solar System and into the Milky Way and beyond. Our landscaped grounds are dotted with stainless steel scale models of the planets demonstrating how small our planet Earth is compared with some of its neighbouring worlds. The planets themselves are dwarfed by the great arch representing the limb of the Sun.
Beyond the model planets is our Hyper-Cube, an exhibit demonstrating the principles used to fit the immensity of the Cosmos into a tiny part of Armagh. During your visit why not design, build and launch your own rocket? Sounds impossible? Thousands of visitors have enjoyed this exciting activity and made it one of our most popular attractions.
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Option 5: Walking Tour of Armagh City
Walk with us through the streets and alleys of this ancient City and uncover
Armagh's history, discover it's myths and legends and observe its fine Georgian architecture.
Step inside its two Saint Patrick's Cathedrals admire their splendour and uncover the history of "Saint Patrick's Chosen City".
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Social Event 3: Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, voted Irish Museum of the Year, illustrates the way of life and the traditions of the people of the north of Ireland.
Set in over 170 acres of rolling countryside, the outdoor Folk Museum tells the story of life in early 20th century Ulster. Almost 50 exhibits have been acquired by the Museum from all over Ulster and restored and authentically furnished. The Open Air Museum is complimented by the Folk Galleries which show how food, farming, everyday occupations and lifestyles have changed through time.
The Transport Museum, one of the finest in Europe, displays Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive transport collection, from horse-drawn carts to Irish built motor cars, and from the mighty steam locomotives that graced our railways to the history of ship and aircraft building. Permanent exhibitions of international acclaim also include Titanic and X2 Flight Experience.
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Social Event 4: Tour of Belfast
Discover something new about the buzzing capital city on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
Beginning at Queen’s University, situated in a tree lined Victorian suburb renowned for its restaurants, bars, theatres and fine architecture. The Lanyon Building, designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, is at the heart of the University, and the focus of the Queen's area. The old college is the high point of Early Victorian designing achievement in the north of Ireland, and arguably Ulster's finest architectural set piece.
Some places of interest in Belfast include The Waterfront, a congress and arts centre which has been recognised as the best conference centre in Europe. The law courts, once encased in high security fences, boast new glass-fronted buildings, an impossibility during the long-standing troubles of the province which saw frequent bombings. And at City Hall there is Belfast’s answer to the London Eye, a sure sign that tourism is booming.
The Shankill and the Falls Districts; two areas sitting side-by-side, still struggling to come to terms with years of fighting, injustice and sadness. You will be given a brief tour of the famous political murals in these areas.
Campbell College is a highly regarded boys’ grammar school where playwright and poet Samuel Beckett and author CS Lewis were taught. The gas lamppost on the school drive is thought to have been the inspiration for children’s classic, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.”
Another great outdoor location and striking city backdrop is Cavehill. It provides stunning views across the city, and the nearby Belfast Castle.
Docklands and the Titanic Quarter Walking Tour
Travelling from the centre of Belfast’s shopping district on Royal Avenue, you will head towards the city’s gigantic cranes at Harland and Wolff shipyard, which at one time held the Titanic. Once the workplace of 45,000 men during its hey-day, there are now only 200 people employed across the grounds; it’s a sad reminder of a once hugely successful industry.
A walking tour of the Titanic Quarter is available, which provides a history of the shipbuilding industry in Belfast, as well as the story of the ill-fated Titanic.
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Social Event 5: River Lagan Boat Tour
The Lagan Tour is a scheduled 75 mins guided tour of the River Lagan from the No: 1 Jetty weir beside the Lagan Lookout Visitors Centre at Donegall Quay to Stranmillis (Cutter's Wharf) and back. This trip, which is approximately 5 miles in length, will take in some of the many famous sights of Belfast both historic and modern.
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Social Event 6: Stormont
Parliament Buildings in Stormont is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The building stands at the top of the mile-long Prince of Wales Avenue behind a statue of Lord Edward Carson, and is topped by the figure Britannia. The tomb of Lord Craigavon - NI's first Prime Minister - and his wife is on the building's east side.
Nearby is Reconciliation, a small water sculpture depicting a couple embracing across a divide. Copies of this symbol of peace are also in Coventry, Hiroshima, Jerusalem and Berlin.
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