BELFAST INSIDER
What’s the craic Belfast 👋
From the independent shops that make our city special to the unexpected experiences popping up around town, there’s plenty that makes Belfast worth paying attention to right now.
And honestly, we love seeing the city show up for its people while still finding room for a little fun.
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
Only the good news, promise.
🎓 Obama came to Queen’s, and a North Belfast student stole the moment
Barack Obama was in Belfast on Tuesday to receive an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University, but one of the most personal moments came from a first-year student.
Emma McAllister, studying Law with Politics, got to Queen’s through a cross-community programme for young people from Ardoyne and the Shankill.
Her journey gave Obama’s message a local face: the opportunities created by peace only matter when people can actually access them.
It’s been 13 years since his last visit to Belfast in 2013, and this time the most memorable moment wasn’t on the stage. It was a student from north Belfast who got there because someone opened a door.
💬 What’s one opportunity that changed the direction of your life?
🔗 LoveBelfast
👑 The Prince and Princess of Wales are tackling joblessness and homelessness in Northern Ireland
Getting a young person a job is one thing. Giving them the support to keep it, especially when they’re at risk of homelessness, is another.
That’s the thinking behind NEON, part of the Royal Foundation’s Homewards program, which helps young people find lasting work, with support for both them and their employers.
During their visit to Belfast, the Prince and Princess of Wales checked in to see how the initiative was thriving. Since its launch in 2025, 7 employers have taken on 21 young people through NEON. The best part is that the approach developed right here in Northern Ireland is now helping to shape the same program in four other parts of the UK.
💬 Who gave you a chance early on, and what did it change?
🎭 Belfast International Arts Festival is back with a twist
We’re particularly excited about this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival, and that excitement might just rub off on you.
From HOME, a moving art installation built around the memories and conversations of care home residents, to TAKKUUK, an immersive journey into the Arctic, this year’s programme goes beyond your usual theatre night.
There’s even a wedding where you get to be part of the celebration!
For us, we’re eager to have a HOME experience. But if you fancy something completely different, this year’s programme has plenty of unexpected experiences that might just tempt you out of your usual routine.
💬 Which of these experiences are you looking forward to?
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
Openings, Closures & Buzz Around Town
📚 Can Belfast save Keats & Chapman?
If you’ve ever lost yourself browsing shelves of second-hand books, you’ll understand why people are rallying around Keats & Chapman on North Street.
The independent bookshop is facing closure due to redevelopment reasons later this month, after almost 22 years at its current address. But readers aren’t giving up just yet. A public fundraiser has already raised almost £11,000 towards helping the owner, Bill Burlingham find a new home for the shop.
Central Belfast property prices are expensive, and there’s still nowhere to relocate to. For now, the future of this much-loved bookshop remains uncertain.
💬 Have you ever visited Keats & Chapman?
🍺 Want your business featured? [Get in touch →]
Your Weekend Lineup
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
Belfast, your next few days are sorted!
Fancy a night of rock anthems, a comedy show, a theatre outing or something completely out of the ordinary?
Here’s what’s worth putting in your diary from Thursday through the next few days:
Thursday 15 October
Friday 16 October
🎭Oscar Wilde Walking Tour of Queen’s University | Queen’s University Front Gates | 11:00am and 2:00pm
Saturday 17 October
Sunday 18 October
Monday 19 October
Tuesday 20 October
Wednesday 21 October
💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🏃 Sanctuary Runners is bringing people together, one run at a time
Launched at the end of summer, Sanctuary Runners Belfast is helping asylum seekers, refugees and local residents build connections through running and walking at Ormeau Parkrun every Saturday morning.
The initiative, founded in Cork in 2018, is built around solidarity, friendship and respect. There are also refreshments after the run on the first Saturday of each month, giving people more time to chat and get to know one another.
Sometimes, making people feel welcome starts with simply showing up and moving together.
💬 Know someone who might enjoy being part of the group? Share this with them.
🤝 Good Relations Week is still underway
Fancy getting out and about this week? Good Relations Week is giving you a few more reasons to, with events happening across Northern Ireland until Sunday, 18 October.
This year’s theme is “Include”, and the program brings people together through everything from music and exhibitions to sport and community gatherings.
💬 Have you been to any Good Relations Week events before?
Foodie Finds 🍴
🍗 Garlic butter chicken balls? Xian has our attention!
Xian, a new Chinese spot has landed on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, and Emma has been putting the menu to the test.
In her latest food review, Emma takes us through the menu, from sliced beef in a coriander-heavy broth to chicken dumplings with a surprisingly good, sweet chilli sauce. There’s also a spice bag, but the garlic butter chicken balls are clearly the star of the show.
And then there’s the Peking sauce and fried rice combination, with a little chilli oil thrown in for good measure. Now that’s an order worth talking about.
💬 Are you a garlic butter chicken balls person, or is the spice bag winning this one?
📸As Spotted
🎬Grand Central Station turned into an unexpected theatre
You might expect trains, announcements and people rushing to their next stop at Belfast's Grand Central Station. A surprise musical performance was a little different.
The cast of Pride and Prejudice & 80s Hits! appeared during an ordinary lunchtime, giving passers-by an unexpected bit of theatre.
But it wasn't just about the entertainment. Donations from the appreciative audience helped raise funds for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, giving the performance an even more meaningful purpose.
💬 Did you witness this grand performance?
🗳️ POLL OF THE WEEK
💬 YOUR VOICE
What’s one thing about Belfast that you think deserves a little more attention?
Maybe it’s a place you stumbled upon, a local tradition you love, or something happening in your neighbourhood that more people should know about.
Hit reply and tell us. We’re always curious about the little things that make Belfast special.
💛 Have a lovely week, Belfast.
If you try somewhere we mentioned, attend an event we featured, or discover something we missed, reply and tell us.
And don’t forget to share with a friend.
See you next Thursday.
💛 Team Belfast Insider