Eighteenth century Belfast was a busy merchant town, trading linen made by small rural producers. Its growing port also bustled with the tide of emigrants to America. The city became a hotbed of radical politics when its chiefly Presbyterian population suffered discrimination under the Penal Laws. 


By the 19th century, Belfast had mushroomed into an industrial powerhouse, known for shipbuilding, textile mills, ropeworks, tobacco and heavy engineering industries pioneering new technology. When the Titanic was being built at Harland and Wolff (1911), Belfast was the largest city in Ireland and the shipyards, employing 35,000, led the world. 

But prosperity brought problems, as workers flooded in from rural areas. Poverty, overcrowding and poor housing led to sectarian tensions, a recurrent feature of Belfast life for many years to come. 

Belfast was the centre of Irish Unionism, and after the partition of Ireland in 1921, became capital of the new Northern Ireland. In 1941, the Belfast Blitz resulted in the destruction of half of the city’s houses and 1,000 deaths; the greatest loss of life outside London during World War II.

The placid post-war decades were a period of recovery, but tensions below the surface erupted in 1969, ushering in two decades of violent conflict. The combination of The Troubles and the decline in manufacturing industries devastated the economy. Nightlife all but died, dance halls and restaurants closed their doors, as the city held its breath and waited for a better time. 

That time came in the nineties, when ceasefires brought peace and hope. Finally, the City could look ahead to the future. In the past fifteen years, Belfast has been transformed; the economy is strong and stable, and the mood is upbeat and dynamic. This new confidence spurred Belfast to invest heavily in the regeneration of the city centre and its cultural life.

Lonely Planet, one of the world's most influential travel guides, named Northern Ireland as a "Must See" destination for 2007. 

Belfast has a rich cultural heritage and visitors attending this conference will find the people warm and charming with an infectious enthusiasm for life. You will be made welcome everywhere and you will be captivated by the diversity of life here. 

The city has many open spaces and parks which provide an oasis of tranquillity just moments away from the hectic whirl of city life. The business life of the city sits easily with a full range of cafes, bistros, restaurants, museums, theatres and concert halls.

The main conference venue is the Waterfront Hall which is located close to the city centre. More information about the venue can be obtained here.

If you have any queries about Belfast, don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

You can find out more information about Belfast and Northern Ireland at the following sites:
www.gotobelfast.com 
www.discovernorthernireland.com

We look forward to welcoming you to Belfast!