Small, yet bursting with history and mystery, Belfast, far from the crowds and the usual clichés, is a reserve of well-concealed treasures that only reveal themselves to those who know how to wander off the beaten track, whether residents or visitors. An indispensable guide for those who thought they knew Belfast well, or who would like to discover the hidden face of the city.

Discover how the city stood up against the evils of the slave trade, admire its stunning art deco facades, unearth beautiful stained-glass windows by an accomplished yet little-known female artist, take to the windy coastal paths just out of town and peak into caves where smugglers once hid their loot, visit the humble cottage of an American president, uncover the mysteries of Bronze Age burial grounds and Stone Age forts, squeeze down a secret underground tunnel or take a boat ride to see the city’s seal colony, visit the place where Marconi sent his first wireless signal across the waves, go to a cinema shaped like a ship … Small, yet bursting with history and mystery, Belfast, far from the crowds and the usual clichés, is a reserve of well-concealed treasures that only reveal themselves to those who know how to wander off the beaten track, whether residents or visitors. An indispensable guide for those who thought they knew Belfast well, or who would like to discover the hidden face of the city.

About The Authors

Kathy Curran

Dr Kathy Curran grew up in South Belfast and later studied common and civil law (with French) at Queen’s University Belfast. She then headed to England to pursue a Masters and Doctorate in criminology at the University of Cambridge. As a criminologist, she loves unearthing gritty stories and tales; a successful combination with her fondness for exploration and travel. She is happiest pottering around ancient graveyards and former prisons and always tries to fit in a trip to a crime museum when on holiday.

Lorenza Bacino

Lorenza Bacino is a freelance j o u r n a l i s t a n d t r a v e l writer. She is a former radio broadcaster and has also worked as a language teacher, translator and editor. She is usually busy thinking about where to travel to next. Interests and hobbies include books, film and art. Her family would say she needs to improve her cooking skills – Lorenza tends to agree.