Was talking to a friend of ours today and they aren't going to Belfast anymore after all the trouble there yesterday. They had heard that vans were being set on fire and as his dogs sleep in a cage in his van he isn't willing to take a risk. It has got me wondering now if we should forget it too.
Nicky

The show is in a 'safe' part of Belfast. How are you going across and are you staying overnight?

We are booked into a B&B 5 mins from the showground, but they don't allowed dogs so ours will be in the van aswell. We are there for both days as my daughter has YKC obedience stuff on both days and showing  too. We are going over on the friday morning ferry from stranraer.

You should be OK driving up from Larne by day. Just take the Westlink then go out the M1 to the first junction and up the Boucher road.

What road is your B&B on?

its on windymere road

Sorry, don't know a Windymere road. If you want to PM me with the full address I can tell you about the area. It's probably OK though - there is only one direction form the show I'd worry about slightly and it isn't really B&B territory.

Unfortunatley there are no safe areas of Belfast today....I'm sitting here listening to the helicopters/sirens etc in the East of the city. However, this will be over in the next day or two (tonight doesn't seem as bad as over the weekend). Even the seasoned rioters of Belfast can't sustain this level of activity for more than a few days...they'll run out of things to burn/petrol bombs/bricks etc.

The area around the Kings Hall is extremely safe 99% of the time, being in one of the most affluent areas of the city. You would be incredibly unlucky to encounter any problems there beyond what you might encounter in any city at any time. Keep an eye on the news over the next few days (or ask me) and if it's all quiet, you'll have no problems.

Have to admit with my first trip to this show I was very uncomfortable with most hotels that "allow dogs" meant they had to stay in the car. Luckily after much time and effort we were able to find one who would let the dogs in the room. Otherwise, "No Way Jose"

Got to agree I would never leave dogs in the car at the Belfast show or any show come that overnight.  A friend of mine was staying at the travel lodge and got broken into whilst there.  If you ring up their tourist board office perhaps they will be able to help you more.  I never felt happy when we did ring around and these were nice hotels we were ringing and the recptionist all told us it was not a good idea to leave the dogs in the car.

I've got to agree with Shaynlola! I live on Dunmurry Lane not far from the Kings Hall and we had a nightmare yesterday just going to Pets at home on Boucher road. Although there was no rioting in our part of the city Traffic was at gridlock!They shut the store at 4.30pm and are continuing to do so for the rest of this week because of the troubles. I hope it doesn't continue into next week as I have alot of family coming to watch the show and they are coming from different parts of England and Ireland.

I am really thinking about forgeting it now as we are booked into the B&B and they will not allow even little dogs in under any circumstances and i can't see us getting anywhere now at this late date. Is there anywhere safe that we can all stay over night in the van together. I feel sorry for all the poor people that live in Belfast that don't cause trouble that have to put up with this it must be very worrying. If anyone knows anywhere safe to live for one night colud they let us know please. We have 4 dogs and our 7 year old daughter is coming and I don't want her subjected to any scenes like we saw on TV.

Have PM'd you

Hi the address of the place we are staying is 60 wellington park and it is called windymere house, does anyone know what the area is like [is it safe].
Thanks Nicky

Hi

Wellington Park is very close to Queen's University and is a very safe area in terms of the recent trouble. The population of the area is mainly students. When you arrive in Belfast, follow the signs for Queen's Uni and drive past it, straight up the road (Malone Rd)...there ia a large hotel called the Wellington Park right on the corner of the street so you can't really miss it. There is a good bar next to the hotel called The Botanic Inn (known as The Bot) if you're looking for a decent pint of guinness while you're here ;)

Do you know if there is secure car parking at the B&B? Wellington Park is a long terraced street and I imagine that the parking may be on-street unless the B&B have made other arrangements. Parking can be difficult in this area, especially during the day as many people who work on the Malone Rd and nearby Lisburn Rd use it for free parking but it should be easier in the evening.

HTH. Post again or PM me if there is anything else you'd like to know.

*edited* just found the B&B via google...it has secure car parking so that's a big bonus as dogs will definitley be safe. If you get time and the dogs need to stretch their legs, Botanic Gardens is just down the road (beside the Uni) and worth a look :)

Thanks very much for your help , it is good to know the dogs will be safe. A bit of background info is really useful.
Nicky.

You're welcome :) Glad you haven't been totally put off the idea of coming to Belfast.

Best of luck at the show. I'll be there on Saturday just spectating. You wouldn't happen to know when and where the Newfs are scheduled for?

Cheers

Kings Hall, upper level, ring 12. First in, so 9.00AM

I like the Belfast show it is kind of different form over here , more laid back. The agility is really laid back and the people who run it are so kind and helpful. They work hard running it.

Cheers Fillis.

Yikes! 9am Bang goes the Saturday morning lie in (not that the dogs ever let me have one anyway ;) )