Belfast - capital of Northern Ireland

Belfast (from Irish: Béal Feirste, meaning "mouth of the shoal") is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the fourteenth largest city in the United Kingdom and second largest on the island of Ireland. It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly.  Belfast was granted city status in 1888. Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry (earning the nickname "Linenopolis"), tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding: the city's main shipbuilders, Harland and Wolff, which built the well-known RMS Titanic, propelled Belfast on to the global stage in the early 20th century as the biggest and most productive shipyard in the world. Belfast played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, establishing its place as a global industrial center until the latter half of the 20th century. Industrialization and the inward migration it brought made Belfast, if briefly, the biggest city in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century and the city's industrial and economic success was cited by Ulster unionist opponents of Home Rule as a reason why Ireland should shun devolution and later why Ulster in particular would fight to resist it. Today, Belfast remains a center for industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business, a legal center, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of conflict called the Troubles, but latterly has undergone a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. Belfast city center has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, notably around Victoria Square. Belfast is also a major seaport, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard. Belfast is a constituent city of the Dublin-Belfast corridor, which has a population of three million, or half the total population of the island of Ireland.

Waterford - Ireland's oldest tourist destination, founded by the vikings in 914AD.

Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland. A walled city of Viking origins, it retains much of it's medieval character together with the graceful buildings from its 18th century expansion.

Waterford is the home of Waterford Crystal, the world-famous hand-crafted, cut glass product. The Waterford Crystal Visitor Center is home to the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world and the guided tours offer access to all areas of traditional crystal production. Waterford Museum of Treasures comprises three magnificent museums chronicling over one thousand years of history. It is both a treasury of gold, bronze, silver, crystal and historical documents and a treasure trail that takes you through 1000 years of Ireland's oldest city. The Treasures of Viking Waterford in Reginald's Tower - the Chorister's Hall will open in 2012 and house the Medieval Treasures, and the recently renovated Georgian Bishop's Palace tells the story from 1700 to 1970.

The parameters of the 10th century settlement can be clearly identified in The Viking Triangle. Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland. The elegant Chamber of Commerce building, Christ Church Cathedral, the City Hall and the Bishop's Palace are prime examples of beautiful 18th century architecture.

Ecclesiastical landmarks include St. Patrick's Churches, Black Friars, St. Olave's Church and Greyfriars - .
The Church Of Ireland Christ Church Cathedral, and the Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity were both designed by Waterford architect John Roberts (1714 - 1796).

The Edmund Rice International Heritage Center commemorates the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice.

The Granville Hotel was the home of the 18th century patriot, Thomas Francis Meagher before passing to the great transport entrepreneur, Carlo Bianconi.