Belfast played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, establishing its place as a global industrial centre until the latter half of the 20th century.
Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. Belfast city centre has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, with the newly developed Victoria Square area attracting international attention.
Royal County Down is one of the oldest Golf Clubs in Ireland with traditions dating back for more than one hundred years.
Old Tom Morris was paid the modest sum of four guineas to design the course and it opened for play in 1889. Harry Vardon modified it in 1908, the same year King Edward VII bestowed royal patronage on the club.
The 4th and 9th holes are both featured in the book, the 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes. The 4th must be one of the most scenic long par threes in golf: “Innumerable gorse bushes, ten bunkers, three mountain peaks, and one spire equal the most magnificent view in British golf”. The 9th, a long par four, is perhaps one of the world’s most photographed holes.
Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, and the hidden gem, the Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted The Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a members’ club, which welcomes visitors all year round to face the challenges of its courses and to brave the testing conditions.
Situated on the beautiful North Antrim Causeway Coast, Royal Portrush occupies a triangle of giant sand hills with views of the hills of Donegal in the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the north, with the Giant's Causeway and the Skerries in the east. The course is overlooked by the ruins of 13th century Dunluce Castle and this gives its name to Royal Portrush's famous Dunluce course.
Portstewart offers 54 holes of golf; The Strand, The Riverside and The Old Course and is set on Ulster’s famous Causeway Coast.
Portstewart Golf Club was founded way back in 1894, but the origins of golf being played here date back even further to 1889. The Strand course is a bit of a hybrid, a mix of the old and the new. Major development took place in the late 1980s when the layout was updated and seven new holes were constructed in the virgin sand dune range called “Thistly Hollow”. The new Strand course, designed by Des Giffin, opened for play in 1992.
A golfing trip to Northern Ireland would not be complete without a round on the Strand course. The members here are very warm and welcoming and if you add this course to a round at both Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, you will have played three of the world’s finest links courses.
The Merchant Hotel Belfast is an intimate, sumptuous, 5 star hotel, situated in the historical Cathedral Quarter of Belfast's city centre.
This magnificent Grade 1 listed property has been sensitively restored to its original splendor and is now regarded as one of the top hotels in Northern Ireland. The architectural grandeur of the hotel's exterior and the opulence of the interior, demand an excellence of service and warmth of welcome that immediately sets guests at their ease, with an ambience that embodies luxury and comfort around the clock.
The Building, which was purpose built as the Head Quarters of The Ulster Bank, was completed in 1860. Its stunning, classically styled interiors reflect the remarkable heritage of the building. Sculptures around the huge dome inside symbolise Science, Poetry, Sculpture and Music. It is below this dome that diners enjoy the exceptional Great Room Restaurant for daytime and evening à la Carte dining, and traditional afternoon teas.
Accommodation at the luxury Merchant Hotel Belfast comprises of 26 rooms, including 5 suites. ^
