BELFAST INSIDER
Hello Insider! 👋
It’s been one of those weeks. Schools closed, roads iced over, and suddenly everyone had an opinion on gritters. But beneath the chaos, good things were happening too. From new beginnings to long-term city plans and a few reasons to get out of the house, here’s the Belfast stuff worth your time.
Let’s get the craic on →
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
👶 Meet Belfast's first babies of 2026
Belfast quite literally won the race into 2026. The Royal Victoria Hospital delivered the first baby of the year just 10 seconds after midnight, clinching the annual friendly competition between maternity hospitals across Northern Ireland.
Baby Rosie-Lee Harkin, born to Natasha Byers and Daniel Harkin, kicked things off — with midwives swapping their usual blue tunics for festive ones to mark the moment. The Royal went on to welcome five New Year's Day babies, with more arriving later that morning, including baby Zivah Ekuase, whose mum praised staff for going "far beyond doing their job".
While most of us were watching the clock hit midnight, the real work of the new year had already started on the wards.
Congratulations to the parents and to every family who's welcomed a new arrival in Northern Ireland so far this year.
️️❄️Snow days are back (again)
After more than 200 schools closed on Monday, around 180 stayed shut on Tuesday as snow and ice disrupted the return after the Christmas break. The kids? Quietly delighted. The parents? Less so.
Main routes were treated, but side roads caused most of the chaos. The PSNI’s advice was simple: clear your windscreen, slow things down, and leave extra space. A few centimetres of snow and routines go out the window — classic Northern Ireland winter.
How did the snow days affect you?
🏗️ Cathedral Quarter is getting a serious glow-up
Belfast City Council has announced plans to kick off a £5 million transformation of Cathedral Gardens, the space between St Anne’s Cathedral and Ulster University.
The aim is to turn it into a proper events and entertainment space, with the revamped gardens expected to be fully up and running by spring 2027. When complete, the area will feature a large multi-use events space, a new Belfast Blitz Memorial, and a nature-inspired play zone for kids.
There’ll also be smart lighting and projection tech capable of lighting up nearby buildings during festivals and major events.
It’s part of a wider regeneration push aimed at bringing more life into the city centre.
Translation: more festivals, more footfall, and another reason to actually linger in town not just pass through.
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
(Sponsor this area)
🍗 Wingstop is coming to Belfast
After years of rumours, Wingstop is officially on its way to Belfast. Signage has appeared on a unit in Boucher Place, just off the Boucher Road, showing work is already underway.
The viral wing chain is expected to open in early 2026, joining the growing cluster of big-name food brands such as Krispy Kreme, Popeyes and Chick-fil-A in NI. If the queues in Dublin were anything to go by, we’re guessing it’ll be the same for Belfast.
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
The year is just starting, and events are just slowly starting to kick off. Here are some of the interesting ones we found. Hope there’s something here worth braving the cold for.
Thursday, 8 January 2026
Friday, 9 January 2026
Saturday, 10 January 2026
Sunday, 11 January 2026
Monday, 12 January 2026
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🤝 Small grants that could make a big difference locally
If you’re involved in a small community group or know someone who is, this is worth flagging.
The Micro Community Investment Fund is offering grants of up to £2,000 to grassroots projects across Northern Ireland that support financial, physical, or mental wellbeing. It’s aimed at smaller, community-led initiatives, especially those helping people navigate the rising cost of living.
You don’t need to be a big organisation either. Groups without a formal constitution can still apply (they’ll chat things through with you first), and priority is given to projects with modest budgets that are already doing good work on the ground.
The deadline is Friday 16 January, and last year around half of applicants were successful which makes this one of the more realistic funding opportunities out there.
If that sounds like something your group or a group you know could use, it’s worth a look.
🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
Capparelli at the Mill
This one comes highly recommended by @nitravellingfoodie_, who’s calling Capparelli at the Mill one of the best restaurants in Northern Ireland — and honestly, the menu backs it up.
What to order:
The rotisserie chicken with jus gras, shawarma and za’atar chimichurri is the current star, but the pasta deserves just as much love. The radiatore alla poitin (tomato, burrata, sesame chilli oil) is a standout. Veggie? The roast cauliflower shawarma with spiced lentils and zhoug is a serious win. And yes — save room for the Basque cheesecake.
The vibe:
A beautifully restored 18th-century water mill in Dundonald, all glass, light and wildflower views. Ottolenghi-backed, Mediterranean-leaning flavours, and proper destination dining — even when it’s lashing rain outside.
Price check: ££–£££
Pastas £14–18 | Mains £18–24 | Starters £8–12 | Desserts £6–7.50
📍 231 Belfast Road, Dundonald (BT16 1UE)
📅 Closed Mondays | Dinner bookings essential
🌐 capparelli.co.uk
“Every bite was beautiful. Sensational food in a stunning setting.” — @nitravellingfoodie_
@nitravellingfoodie_ One of the best restaurants in Northern Ireland 🤌✨ Stunning setting, the warmest staff & food that is simply sensational. From hummus and ... See more
💬 YOUR VOICE
Got a story, photo, or random Belfast moment worth sharing?
📸 Send it in — you might be featured in next week’s “Your Belfast” section!
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🗳️ POLL OF THE WEEK
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That’s your week’s Insider.
See you next Thursday.
— The Belfast Insider Team