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A village in the 17th century, this robust northern metropolis of nearly half a million people - a third of Northern Ireland's population - has much in common with Liverpool and Manchester, those breezy cities across the Irish Sea. Belfast was the engine-room that drove the whirring wheels of the industrial revolution in Ulster. The development of industries like linen, rope-making and shipbuilding doubled the size of the town every ten years. The world's largest dry dock is here and the shipyard's giant cranes tower over the port.
Today the city and the river front are again being transformed. Much of the city centre is now pleasantly pedestrianized, with numerous bars and restaurants and a vibrant and friendly nightlife. As befits such a large and important city, the range of activities here are first rate – if there’s an activity you want to do it on your weekend, the chances are you can do it in Belfast.
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