78 | THE LOCAL TOURIST
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Return Date of Belfast’s Continental Christmas Market Announced
November/December 2025
BELFAST’S Continental Christmas Market will officially open on Saturday 15th No- vember 2025 and run until Monday 22nd December 2025. Once again, the market will return to the grounds of Bel-
fast’s City Hall with a wide range of stalls, including artisan gifts, clothing, and food and drink vendors. Belfast’s Con- tinental Christmas Market will combine both international traders with local businesses, combining the traditions of a home-grown Christmas with diverse festive traditions from across the globe. Multiple family-friendly activities will be available through-
out the market’s run, including Santa’s grotto, helter-skelter, and a carousel.
Northern Irish Five Star Hotel Becomes Second to Join Global Luxury Hotel Portfolio
Explore Iconic Film and TV Locations Across The Province as New Interactive Map Launched
TOURISM Northern Ireland has launched a new illustrated visitors’ map which highlights film and TV locations around the region. The new SCENic Route map references 20 locations where many of Northern Ireland’s much-loved shows were filmed, including Derry Girls, Hope Street, Line of Duty, The School of Good & Evil and The Frankenstein Chronicles. The map, which is available in copy from Visitor Information
hard
Centres or can be downloaded from
discovernorthernireland.com, was launched during an event at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, where fans of the hit TV series can enjoy an unforgettable behind-the-scenes look at the world of Westeros. The launch of the map comes at a time
when `set-jetting’ – a travel trend where travellers visit real-life locations featured in films and television shows – continues to rise in popularity. Recent research from Visit Britain found
that seven out of 10 people visiting the UK have gone to see a filming location, while nine out of 10 people said they would be motivated to visit a location that they had seen on screen. At the map launch, a panel discussion
explored the current strength of screen production, the growing trend of screen tourism and the Northern Ireland offer. Those who took part in the panel included Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism NI, Nicola Lyons, Head of Production at NI Screen, Sam Harding, Managing Director
at
NORTHERN Ireland’s newest five-star hotel, Dunluce Lodge has joined the Small Luxury Hotels of the World exclusive portfolio. The Causeway Coast hotel becomes one of just 11 Irish hotels to feature in the global listing. Small Luxury Hotels of the World individually visit, verify
and vet every one of their 620 hotels in more than 90 countries. With just 50 rooms on average, these properties are able to offer secluded, discrete options with the highest standards of luxury and guest wellbeing. Dunluce Lodge joins
leading Irish venues
King Pins Set to Bowl Belfast over with Opening of New Multi-Million- Pound Complex this November
POPULAR UK bowling and entertainment brand, King Pins has confirmed it plans to open its latest state-of-the-art venue in Belfast this November. Creating more than 50 new jobs, the multi-million-pound
such as
The Dylan Hotel in Dublin, Ballymaloe House Hotel in Shanagarry and The Montenotte in Cork. It becomes only the second Northern Ireland hotel to be included in the portfolio, alongside The Culloden Estate & Spa outside Belfast. With 35 luxury suites, fine dining, a wine vault, spa, and
private lodge for larger groups, Dunluce Lodge combines authentic Irish character with international standards of luxury. It also hosted golfing icon, Rory McIlroy during this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush. With an onsite putting green and complimentary private
transfers to the nearby helipad and to the clubhouses at Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club, Dunluce Lodge is a paradise on the iconic Causeway Coast. Jonathan Harper, Managing Partner Links Collection said: “Both Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House offer golfers the
perfect European setting for unforgettable breaks. “This
recognition from Small Luxury Hotels of the
World is testament to both the genuine Irish and Scottish hospitality on display at both venues. “Guests at either venue will enjoy wonderful getaways
in two truly iconic venues with so many unique offerings to explore.” Richard Hyde, Chief Operating Officer, Small Luxury
Hotels of the World said: “Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House guests enjoy genuine and intimate luxury in both hotels. “We are thrilled to include them in diverse portfolio of
properties that offer something for every discerning, inde- pendently minded traveller.”
city centre complex will occupy over 30,000 of square feet across two floors within The Keep development on Castle Lane, Belfast. Renowned for its next-generation leisure experience,
King Pins has locations in Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow. The new Belfast location will feature 15 ten-pin bowling lanes, an extensive range of immersive games and activities, including NI firsts such as ice-free curling, tech darts, duck pin bowling and crazy pool, alongside an in-house restaurant. A large entertainment arcade complete with favourites
including karaoke booths, batting cages, shuffleboard and American pool will further enhance the complex’s competitive offering for families and young professionals. In addition to an array of leisure activities, the fully-
licensed in-house restaurant will serve delicious pizzas, fried chicken tenders and wings, loaded fries, sides and more – including a kids menu and regular specials and variety of drinks.
Commenting on the upcoming launch, Nathan McDermott,
openings manager at King Pins, said, “Northern Ireland has been on our radar for some time, so we’re excited to begin the fit out for our first location, right in the heart of Belfast. The Keep provides the perfect setting for us, and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests through the doors later this year.
“Since launching in 2023, King Pins has grown exponentially and in
just under three years it has
established itself as one of the UK’s most innovative leisure brands. We’re looking forward to bringing the full King Pins experience to Northern Ireland, with bowling, games and food all under one roof.”
the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Alison Morris,
Operations Manager at the Tower Museum in Derry, where the Derry Girls Experience is currently on display. The event was also attended by Co
Antrim-born actor Seamus O’Hara, star of Oscar winning film An Irish Goodbye, as well as Game of Thrones and BAFTA winning drama, Blue Lights. Speaking about the potential of screen
tourism, Seamus said: “I love working in Northern Ireland, to be able to work so much, right on my own doorstep is a privilege. O’Hara continued, “Whether it’s the
Glens of Antrim, Mourne or Sperrin Mountains, the Ards Peninsula, Derry’s Walls or Fermanagh’s caves, this place has more stories than we could ever begin to tell”. Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience
& Industry Development at Tourism NI, said: “Screen tourism is very much a part of our tourism strategy as we seek to enhance our destination appeal with the creation of authentic
experiences right across the north.” “In turn, this supports jobs and
generates revenue for both local and national economy, sustaining a viable visitor economy. ‘The SCENEic Route will offer
inspiration for our visitors to explore, not just our cities, but our rural and coastal screen locations throughout the year.” She added: “It can also be used as a
resource for tourism providers to create new experiences that will encourage the visitor to extend their stay and discover our people, our places and our incredible stories linked to their favourite TV show or movie”
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