Belfast city rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution, and its reputation as a global leader in shipbuilding, manufacture and trade is reflected in its sprawling docks and stately Victorian architecture. Today, these refined thoroughfares, including around the buzzy Cathedral Quarter, welcome folk of a literary and musical bent – especially those who like their verse set to a lilting melody and pounding bodhran (and vice versa).
For something to really write home about, take a browse around these bookish boltholes. From the rustic ruminations of noted poet Seamus Heaney to Narnia author CS Lewis, Belfast has always offered a fertile wellspring of imagination for writers – and who knows who the city might inspire next?
Linen Hall Library
The age-old Linen Hall Library is a bookworm no-brainer / Image: Alamy
No bookworm mini-break to Belfast would be complete without a pilgrimage to the city’s oldest library, Linen Hall – founded in 1788 on a mission to inspire curious local minds and ‘excite a spirit of general enquiry’. Come for the CS Lewis first editions and eye-opening political paraphernalia, stay for a note-perfect flat white overlooking Donegall Square.
Book flights and holidays
No Alibis
Get lost in a novel at No Alibis
A groovy Belfast bookstore that does stacks more, not least running its own indie publishing business and hosting signings from the likes of local writer Glenn Patterson all the way up to Scandi noir big-hitters such as Jo Nesbø. No Alibis also loves a bit of live music, putting on intimate gigs occasionally attended by high-calibre rock legends including Van Morrison and (who else) Jimmy Page.
Book flights and holidays
