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Where: Main Auditorium, ICC Belfast, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3WH
When: Wednesday 30 August, 17:30 - 19:30 (British Summer Time)
Price: Free for delegates
How to get there:
- Walk: ICC Belfast is a 30 minute walk from Queen’s University Belfast.
- Bike: The Just Eat Belfast Bikes scheme have 47 docking stations and over 300 bikes located across Belfast, providing a low cost, convenient and sustainable way to travel about the city. There are docking stations both adjacent to QUB and the ICC Centre (The Waterfront Hall). https://www.belfastbikes.co.uk/en/belfast/
- Bus: Buses depart from adjacent to the QUB Student’s Union to the City Centre every 10-15 minutes.
The Opening Ceremony followed by the Welcome Reception will take place at ICC Belfast.
ICC Belfast is an award-winning conference centre conveniently located within a 10-minute walk of the city centre. The entrance to ICC Belfast is located beside the River Lagan and it affords picturesque views of the river which was so integral to the formation of Belfast. 9000 years ago Mesolithic people recognised the abundance of natural resources where the Lagan entered the sea and by the Medieval period a small settlement had been established. This grew in size throughout the seventeenth century and underwent rapid change from the late eighteenth century onwards when Belfast began to emerge as an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse.
The Opening Ceremony will take place in the central hub of ICC Belfast, the Main Auditorium which is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology, with uninterrupted views of the stage guaranteed for every delegate.
ICC Belfast, was shortlisted as the UK’s ‘Best Venue’ for events for 2022 for a fifth consecutive year, confirming a leading industry reputation for high calibre staff, cutting-edge innovation and a driving focus on sustainability.
Where: Arc Bar, Bar 1 and Bar 2, ICC Belfast, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3WH
When: Wednesday 30 August, 19:30 - 21:00 BST (British Summer Time)
Price: Free for delegates
Floor to ceiling windows in the ICC bars offer stunning riverside views and direct access to the River Lagan and riverside terrace, making it the ideal venue to get an understanding of the origins of Belfast while enjoying some drinks and snacks in the company of archaeologists from across the world.
Where: Lavery's, 12-18 Bradbury Place, Belfast BT7 1RS
When: Thursday 31 August, 20:00 - 1:00
Price: Free for delegates
How to get there:
- Walk: Lavery’s is less than a 10 minute walk from Queen’s University Belfast.
Having the title of Northern Ireland’s oldest family run bar does not come without a fascinating story that begins in 1918. The Lavery family purchased the Belfast bar which was originally called Kinahan from two brothers. Kinahan was used as a spirit grocer (a drinking place) and a popular stagecoach stop for the Belfast to Dublin Bus service. Soon after the bar was taken over by its new owners, its name changed to ‘Lavery's’ after the family. It would quickly become one of the best-established and iconic spots in Belfast. The facilities at the back of Lavery's were originally used as stables for travelling horses, which also provided people visiting the area with an opportunity to stop off at the bar for some drinks and refreshments.
The Lavery family were very successful in the hospitality industry, having owned around 30 bars in Northern Ireland at the time. However, the First World War saw their stocks bought over due to the shortage created from the war. Once the War ended, only five bars were left in Northern Ireland that were run by the Lavery brothers – Tom, Charlie, Patsy and Donal. Eventually, in the wake of the Northern Irish troubles, Lavery’s Belfast was the only bar to remain. In 1972, when the ‘Troubles’ were in full swing within Northern Ireland, Lavery’s bar was the target of an awful arson attack that nearly killed Tom Lavery, who at the time was living in the small flat above the bar. The bar was rebuilt in 1973 and, in the 1980s, Tom Lavery’s old flat upstairs was renovated into a further two bars. Business was booming for the Lavery family and the bar saw a further renovation three years later, this time rebuilding the back bar and extending it through to the middle bar and attic bar above it. Not long after, they bought the shop next door and combined it with their current property, helping to increase the bar sizes as well as adding offices. In the current 21st century, Lavery's Belfast has continued to be improved and changed to keep people excited.
The annual party will take place in four interconnected areas of the Lavery’s complex – the Ballroom, where the dancing will take place, the Front and Back Roof Terraces and the Shipyard. The latter spaces are covered outdoor spaces that will have different music to the main dance venue and will be quieter for those who want to sit and chat over a drink.
Where: The Dark Horse Bar and Courtyard, 30-34 Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LB (Cathedral Quarter)
When: Friday 1 September, 20:00 - 24:00
Price: 5 EUR
How to get there:
- Bike: The Just Eat Belfast Bikes scheme have 47 docking stations and over 300 bikes located across Belfast, providing a low cost, convenient and sustainable way to travel about the city. There are docking stations adjacent to QUB and on Waring Street just round the corner from the Dark Horse. https://www.belfastbikes.co.uk/en/belfast/
- Bus: Bus routes 1C, 2E, 4A and 9C
- Taxi: Taxis are easy to book and find in Belfast and can be a convenient but expensive transport option. Two of the main local taxi companies in Belfast are ValueCabs and FonaCab. You can book online, by phone or by downloading and booking on the app. It is also possible to use Uber in Belfast. You will need to have an Uber account to book an Uber taxi. Taxi fares are metered and rates depend on the day and the time. Long waiting times may incur an additional charge. Most taxis accept payment by card.
Protected by earth ramparts and the city walls, the area where the Dark Horse now stands was convenient to the old iron foundry, the pottery, the whiskey merchants and the Brown Linen Hall. Appreciate the superb décor and special atmosphere with beautiful antique mirrors, Belfast furniture and artefacts from some of the city’s most famous hotels and buildings from bygone times – providing a rather rare and unique glimpse of Belfast’s historical past.
The Courtyard at The Dark Horse is a gallery of custom street art depicting surreal scenes of Northern Irish history and culture. The centrepiece is a beautiful oak tree, surrounded by radiating words from Seamus Heaney cut into solid steel. Entry to the gallery is exclusively through the Dark Horse Bar.
Where: The Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB
When: Saturday 2 September, 18:45 -20:15
Price: Free for delegates but booking is required
How to get there:
The Ulster Museum is a 5 minute walk from Queen’s University Belfast. Entrance is through the gate into the Botanic Gardens beside the University.
Delegates will have the chance to explore the galleries while enjoying a glass of wine in the beautiful surroundings of National Museum Northern Ireland’s iconic Ulster Museum. The museum has galleries covering the north of the island’s earliest times to the recent past of Northern Ireland.
Where: Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP
When: Saturday 2 September, 20:30 - 01:00
Price: 85 EUR
How to get there:
- Bike: The Just Eat Belfast Bikes scheme have 47 docking stations and over 300 bikes located across Belfast, providing a low cost, convenient and sustainable way to travel about the city. There are docking stations adjacent to QUB and not far from the Titanic Centre. https://www.belfastbikes.co.uk/en/belfast/
- Bus: Translink operate Metro Services 26, 26A, 26B, 26C from Belfast City Centre – departing outside the Belfast Welcome Centre to Titanic Belfast.
- Taxi: Taxis are easy to book and find in Belfast and can be a convenient but expensive transport option. Two of the main local taxi companies in Belfast are ValueCabs and FonaCab. You can book online, by phone or by downloading and booking on the app. It is also possible to use Uber in Belfast. You will need to have an Uber account to book an Uber taxi. Taxi fares are metered and rates depend on the day and the time. Long waiting times may incur an additional charge. Most taxis accept payment by card.
The dinner will be in a buffet style.
Located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched – Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. will have drinks and dinner in The Titanic Suite, followed by dancing. With stunning views of the Slipways and Belfast Lough, The Titanic Suite offers a breath taking setting, which includes a replica of the liner's Grand Staircase, for an unforgettable event.