American 'swept away' on Belfast musical carpet

20 October 2008 -

People planning to travel in Northern Ireland will be pleased to hear an American journalist writing in the New York Times has described Belfast as one of the liveliest towns in Europe and heaped praise on the city's bustling nightlife.

Joshua Hammer makes reference to the number of pubs, restaurants and hotels mushrooming across the city as well as the riverside promenade but saves his kindest words for the musical scene there.

Taking in some of the best pubs in Northern Ireland, Hammer visited establishments such as Fibber Magee and bars in the Cathedral Quarter while he also enjoyed himself at the John Hewitt.

All of the watering holes featured their own takes on different genres of music, providing him with something different but interesting at every turn.

Friday night was described as the busiest time to go out and Mr Hammer went to Maddens where acoustic guitar songs filled the air.

On his journey, Mr Hammer met John McSherry, one of Northern Ireland's best-known uilleann pipe players, who said things are going from strength to strength in the capital.

"There's been a lot more vibrancy to the Belfast scene nowadays, and it just keeps getting livelier," he told the writer.

Meanwhile, Snow Patrol are to bring their music to Northern Ireland with a show at the Empire Music Hall on October 26th.