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Location, Accommodation and Travel


Location

Queen's University Belfast is located just a short distance from Belfast City centre. Queen’s University’s proud academic tradition stretches back over 160 years from its establishment by Queen Victoria in 1845 as one of the three Queen’s Colleges in Ireland. It received its Royal Charter form King Edward VII in 1908, becoming an independent University in its own right.

Today, Queen’s University Belfast combines an international reputation for excellence in research and education, with a student-centred ethos and a leadership role in the community. The UK’s Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2009, awarded by Times Higher Education, Queen’s is a magnet for inward investment, an international centre of academic excellence. The University’s priority is to achieve nationally and internationally recognised research excellence in all of its many and varied disciplines, with world-class research in distinctive niches and thematic areas. An emphasis is placed on the expansion of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary activities. In the last decade, the University has continued to emerge as a major player in international research, with the 2008 RAE Research Power Index (which measures the quality and quantity of research), placing us in the top 20 UK Universities, with all areas having world-leading standards.

In continuing this role as a base for world-class academic and scientific research, Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to host this important conference during 21-24 March 2011.

Belfast

Northern Ireland has within its borders a wide variety of landscapes, cultural attractions and leisure opportunities, as well as an intriguing - and famously complex - history. Within a few miles of Belfast, one can visit archaeological monuments, ranging from pre-Christian burial sites to post-Medieval military posts. Just a few miles further coastlines of legend and famous cathedrals can be visited. Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and is located on the north-east of the island, where the River Lagan meets Belfast Lough. Historically, Belfast was a major centre for 17th-19th Century industrial development, including linen production, tobacco production, rope-making and ship building. The city’s main ship-builders, Harland and Wolff, which built the ill-fated Titanic in the early 20th Century, propelled Belfast onto the global stage.

Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the Arts, Higher Education and Business and has undergone a metamorphosis in recent years. With major investment in its tourism infrastructure, Belfast is now emerging as a dynamic new destination for conferences, meetings, and events, while continuing to offer close access to some of the most beautiful and diverse countryside in Europe. In 2009 leading travel guide publisher Frommer’s named Belfast as one of its top 12 world travel destinations.

Attractions include the proud City Hall in the heart of the city (where the ASSET 2011 Conference banquet will be held), the beautifully restored carved stone and ironwork of St. George’s Market near the waterfront, and the elegant Linen Hall library with its priceless collection of books, as well as major commercial investments such as The Victoria Centre and the Waterfront Hall. To add to these, city pubs, such as the Crown Liquor Saloon in Great Victoria Street, buzz with the warmth, friendliness, and humour of the city’s residents. For more information on what to do during your stay in Belfast click here.

Accommodation

ASSET 2011 has secured a number of hotel rooms across Belfast and the Queen’s University area for the duration of the Conference. These will be held for ASSET 2011 delegates until 1 January 2011.  After this date delegates can contact Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau directly to make reservations in a range of accommodation providers across the city.

Book your accommodation here

Travelling to Queen's University Belfast

The University is situated on University Road, about one mile from Belfast city centre and is easily accessible by bus, train or on foot. To get to Queen's University, the following information may be useful:

By air:

Belfast is easily reached from either Belfast International Airport or the George Best Belfast City Airport. Belfast City Airport (BHD) is situated approximately three miles from the city centre. A taxi to the University will cost approximately £10.00.  The Airport Express 600 departs from outside the Airport every 20 minutes from early morning to late evening and costs approx £1.50 single and £2.50 return; it terminates at the Great Victoria Street (Europa) Bus Station. 

Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove is situated about 20 miles from the city centre. The Airport Express 300 service, operates a 24 hour service between the airport and Belfast with buses departing every 10 minutes throughout the day. The bus leaves from the bus stop located opposite the terminal exit. Approximate journey time is 30-40 minutes subject to traffic conditions and costs £7.00 single and £10.00 return. A taxi to the University will cost approximately £25.00.

Dublin Airport is approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) from Queen's University Belfast. The journey by bus takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Bus Eireann and Ulsterbus operate a 24 hour service between Dublin Airport and Belfast (Great Victoria Street (Europa) Bus Station).

BMI offer for ASSET 2011 delegates

BMI are offering 15% discount for ASSET 2011 delegates travelling from London Heathrow to Belfast City Airport to attend the conference.  Flights can be booked up until 20.03.11 and apply to travel dates between 18.03.11 and 26.03.11 (terms and conditions apply)

Delegates should follow the link below and click on the BMI logo.  Once your search criteria have been entered, the Voucher Code ASSET10 should be inserted

http://www.belfastconventionbureau.com/for_delegates/how_to_get_here.aspx

By sea:

Belfast is easy accessed by sea crossing from Scotland and England by high-speed catamaran or by traditional ferry.

The following operators run ferries across the Irish Sea: