Staycations: Actor loves lights, cameras and action of Belfast
Ciaran Bermingham in God Bless the Child at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast.
There’s a particular kind of joy that comes from taking a holiday without crossing oceans or booking flights, checking that the passports are in date and that you have the correct adapter (something I usually think of when we arrive at the destination and remember that I have them stored safely in a box in the shed and that’s where I left them, then quietly curse under my breath).
For me, Belfast became home for three weeks while I worked on God Bless the Child, a play by Pat Talbot based on the writings of Frank O’Connor. The Lyric Theatre was my base, the river Lagan my daily companion.
Midway through my stay, my family joined me for a week, our own version of a staycation. They travelled all the way from Cork (the ‘Real Capital’ you should visit, it’s great) to Belfast, crossing the border from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland.
Yes, it’s the same island, but the journey still has that little thrill of crossing into another jurisdiction.
For me, Belfast wasn’t entirely new. I had worked in Northern Ireland before, most memorably on Game of Thrones, playing Mord, the less-than-hospitable gaoler of the Eyrie. But this time, the experience was softer, more personal, and shared with those I love most.
What followed was a week packed with theatre, seaside rambles, legendary landmarks, and, in my case, a small (and somewhat humbling) foray into golf. By the end of it, we’d eaten spectacular meals, strolled along glittering shorelines, and even caught some waves, well, the kids did.
The staycation coincided perfectly with my run of God Bless the Child at the Lyric Theatre, a Belfast institution whose glass-fronted building gazes out over the river Lagan. There’s something magical about the Lyric: it feels rooted in Belfast’s history, yet it’s unapologetically modern.
Between rehearsals and performances, I’d step outside to that riverside view and think, ‘This is a fine place to be spending three weeks.’ The Lyric cannot only boast a great theatre to perform in, but the friendliest, warmest staff a theatre could have.
The beauty of working during a staycation is that the family got their own adventures when I was at work, and in Belfast, there’s no shortage of adventures to be found.
Even with the anchor of the Lyric, our week was a carousel of day trips. Belfast is perfectly positioned for excursions in almost any direction. The most dramatic, and perhaps most memorable, was our drive north to the Giant’s Causeway.
It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been there just how otherworldly it feels. The basalt columns formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago look like an elaborate stage set, or perhaps the handiwork of the mythical giant Finn McCool himself.
The kids scrambled over the rocks with boundless energy, while I found myself lost in the layered shades of blue and green stretching to the horizon. There’s a salt-laden breeze there that clears the mind.
Another day saw us diving into history at the Titanic Belfast visitors’ centre. Housed in a building whose architecture recalls the ship’s hulls, it’s an immersive and surprisingly emotional journey through the city’s shipbuilding heritage.
The exhibitions are world-class, full of interactive displays, historical photographs, and atmospheric reconstructions. It’s impossible to walk out without feeling a deeper connection to Belfast’s maritime past.
Belfast’s food scene has come into its own in recent years, and one of the joys of not leaving the city is getting to sample its best without worrying about time or distance.
Made in Belfast became an instant favourite. It is quirky, vibrant, and brimming with local character, think mismatched furniture, hearty plates, and ingredients that sing of Northern Irish soil and sea.
When the weather turned bright, we headed east to Hollywood Beach. It’s a glorious spot for a stroll and a paddle, with soft sand and views that stretch across Belfast Lough.
The kids dashed in and out of the shallows, squealing at the chill, while we parents lingered at the edge, soaking up the easy rhythm of the place.
From Hollywood, we tackled a longer adventure: the Hollywood to Bangor Coastal Trail. This seaside path unfurls for miles, offering endless views of the lough, passing coves, and the occasional seal sighting if you’re lucky.
It’s the kind of walk that invites long conversations, comfortable silences, and plenty of photo stops. Even the younger members of the family, initially wary of a “long walk”, found themselves distracted by rock pools, seabirds, and the promise of ice cream in Bangor.
Now, I’m not what you’d call a golfer. I’ve always at best been more of a pitch-and-putt kind of person, short bursts of precision rather than sprawling fairways.
But Belfast is blessed with some excellent golf courses. We met up with some friends in Belfast, and my buddy said it would be wrong to spend time here without giving it a try.
I will confess: my debut on the course was less than elegant. The Malone Golf Club, a beautiful course a stone’s throw outside the city, was the green of my embarrassment. My first tee shot soared directly… into a nearby hedge. But the setting made up for any lack of skill.
The manicured greens, the gentle roll of the landscape, the backdrop of hills, golf, I began to see, is as much about being in beautiful places as it is about the scorecard. (That’s my excuse, anyway.)
To this date, my buddy will bring it up every time we all meet up, although it was nearly 20 years ago.
The city became both playground and comfort zone, and the surrounding countryside offered enough variety to make each day distinct. From the sweeping drama of the Giant’s Causeway to the intimacy of a beach stroll in
Hollywood, from the history-laden galleries of Titanic Belfast to the thrill of a child catching their first wave, every moment felt both new and rooted in the familiar.
Our Belfast staycation reminded me that holidays aren’t defined by distance. They’re defined by experience, connection, and the willingness to see your surroundings with fresh eyes. For one week, we let curiosity be our guide.
We dipped toes into the sea, clinked glasses over locally sourced dinners, wandered cliffside paths, and even learned that my golf game could use… let’s say “further development”.
