Cardiff Castle vs Belfast Castle

On the eastern side of Northern Ireland’s coast, at the mouth of the River Lagan,

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It is the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom.

Name means ‘a mouth of the sandy ford’. It has been known since the Bronze Age.

It is one of country’s leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. The Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.

The Norman Knight named ‘John De Courcy’ arrived this place in 1177 and decided to build a castle on the steep slopes of Cave Hill, some 400 ft above sea level.

The Romans built the earliest settlement here in the mid-first century A.D. They

constructed a fort on the spot where the castle now rests. During the Norman invasion of the 11th century, in about 1091, it was rebuilt into a typically Norman fortress.

Sir Arthur Chichester rebuilt it, and a small town soon began to grow nearby. By the early 17th century the city had a population of around 1,000 people and it was a busy place.

Much of history revolves around conflicts with the native population.

In 1183–1184 the castle and it`s town have got much damage . During this time the

castle passed from one owner to another.

After World War II the castle became a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas.

Only in 1947, the Castle was turned over to the care and trust of the people of the city, and the City Council maintains the site in an outstanding condition.

The Castle is a magnificent sandstone building, now managed by the City

Council. It`s a place ‘must’ for every tourist. It hosts an antique shop, a restaurant and a visitor centre and it is a popular venue for conferences and private dining.

The castle has hosted a number of rock concerts and performances.The Castle plays host to University’s Summer Ball each year, and the largest Mardi Gras held every August.