#ESTSS2023
17th biennial conference of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Trauma and resilience through the ages: A life course perspective
Enjoying Belfast
Whether you're extending your stay or bringing family and friends along with you, ESTSS 2023 is the perfect opportunity to explore the city of Belfast.
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Experiences & Attractions in the City
Within Belfast, there is a wealth of museums, events and attractions to keep you and your family entertained. Here are some of our top tips for how to spend your free time.
Taste and Tour NI
Taste & Tour offer a series of award-winning food and drink walking tours. During ESTSS 2023, they have spaces available for their evening cocktail experiences which are highly recommended.
Get £5 pp as an ESTSS attendee - Email hello@tasteandtour.co.uk quoting ‘Delegate Offer’
Titanic Belfast
Located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched, Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.
Discounted rate for the Titanic Galleries of £21.95 per person for ESTSS attendees. Book using discount code "CONFDELS2023"
Ulster Museum
Moments away from Queen's University Belfast (hosts of the pre-conference workshops!), the Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of items. Permanent displays include a history of Northern Ireland, an impressive collection of natural history artefacts, jewellery, art, archaeology, plus a full viking longboat and Egyptian mummy.
The Druithaib's Ball is the 2021 Turner Prize winning installation by the Belfast based artists collectively known as Array Collective will be on display at the museum from February - September this year.
Entry is free!
Belfast City Hall
The ESTSS 2023 Welcome Reception takes place at Belfast City Hall, a stunning building and the hub of the City.
Learn more about the history of Belfast, the building itself and even some "Norn Iron" slang words at the museum on the first floor or by booking a free tour of City Hall.
Tours are free but need to be pre-booked.
Prison Island
Like an escape room, but better! Prison Island adventure is a team activity, suitable for adults and kids over 9. Fans of Crystal Maze will love it as the 1-2 hour experience allows you to complete multiple puzzles and cooperative games to score points.
Axe Yard
Co-located with Prison Island so you can double-up for a great day, urban axe throwing is a fun group activity. You will receive coaching before channeling your Game of Thrones character within, getting to grips with weapons and competing against eachother to hit wooden targets with real axes. (Over 18s only)
W5
W5 (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) is a science and discovery centre and provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. At W5 each floor will excite and inspire, with exhibits and experiences covering everything from climate change and nature to film and TV production, optical illusions, built engineering, medical science and much, much more.
Lost City Adventure Golf
Lost City Adventure Golf at Cityside Retail and Leisure Park has two indoor jungle-themed golf courses where players young and old can tackle Sunken Skull Ridge, Explorer Falls and lots of interactive obstacles. Players make their way around the course amidst simulated thunder and lightning storms and challenge their skills against rainforest animals and moving walls.
DC Walking Tour
The best way to get to know a city is on a walking tour. Award-winning guides from DC will take you through the city and share the stories behind the buidings, names and famous faces of Belfast.
Various tours are available depending on your interest and by showing your ESTSS lanyard, you can get discount for your whole group.
Pre-booking is essential, use promo code MEET15 at checkout, then present your conference delegate badge to the guide at the start of your tour.
Going Further
If you're extending your trip, here are our tips for where to go outside Belfast.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Located at the authentic filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, Game of Thrones Studio Tour invites you to step behind the scenes of The Seven Kingdoms and beyond.
Explore how one of the world’s greatest ever TV series was created and brought to life on screen.
Get 15% off as an ESTSS attendee, book using discount code "VBCONF15"
Experience and Explore NI
Experience and Explore NI provide walking tours of Belfast as well as chauffeaur driven tours and hikes, taking you out to the coast, up Cave Hill which overlooks the city or to nearby towns.
Their Castles & Cliffs tour is really special - You'll start at Belfast Castle before visiting Norman Carrickfergus Castle. You'll then travel along the Coast Road, visiting towns and castles along the way and learn about the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. Hear about the Ulster emigrants who influenced the U.S. War of Independence as well as the U.S. Presidency
£25 discount on half day and full day Chauffeur Tours
Book 4 places and get a 5th place free on the Cavehill Walking Tour
Book 4 places and get a 5th place free on Dinnertime Danders
Quote “Delegate Conference 23” when booking online.
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
Visit Hillsborough Castle and discover over 100 acres of ornamental lawns, meandering waterways, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens.
From grand family home to charming royal residence, Hillsborough Castle has welcomed the world and witnessed pivotal moments in history for over three hundred years. The castle is the official Northern Ireland residence of HM The King. Leading members of the Royal Family have regularly visited Northern Ireland since 1922, using Hillsborough as their ceremonial and personal base.
Present your conference lanyard at the ticket office to receive 20% off up to 2 adult tickets for the Castle and gardens tour.
Exploris Aquarium
Located in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough, you can enjoy a diver's view of marine life from around the world at Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary. A family-friendly attraction with plenty to explore on the coast and in the local town, Exploris is worth a visit.
Eating out
Belfast's local larder is amazing, you will find it difficult to find a bad meal in the city but here are some of our favourites.
The Pocket
Small and still relatively new, Pocket is a hidden gem on Upper Church Lane, offering incredible lunches, brunches and coffee, it is highly rated by the ESTSS team especially for their specialty French Toast.
Coppi
A contemporary family owned Italian Restaurant in the buzzing Cathedral Quarter, Coppi offers small dishes, so you don't have to choose pizza or pasta, have both!
Fish City
A family-owned business which won the 'Seafish' Regional award for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 2015, were voted the UK’s healthiest and most sustainable fish and chip restaurant and takeaway by Seafish in 2018, and recognised as Belfast's Best Eatery by the Belfast Chamber from 2019 to 2021.
Fish City is worth the fuss and ESTSS delegates get 10% off!
Redeem the discount in person by presenting conference delegate badge to server prior to making payment.
The Muddlers Club
One of Belfast's THREE Michelin star restaurants, Muddlers Club is special because it is among the most affordable restaurants on the list. Simply furnished, with an open kitchen, there is a great energy to match the food.
Pizza Punks
Cool, fun and tasty. Pizza Punks is ideal for a low-key meal before exploring the Cathedral Quarter.
Enjoying a tipple
Nightlife is one of Belfast's biggest attractions. From the buzzing Cathedral Quarter to cozy traditional pubs, you'll enjoy meeting locals and raising a few toasts.
Whites Tavern
An ever growing maze of pubs all under one roof, Whites has a cozy wee bar and space for big groups all in one spot. Present your lanyard for 10% off food and drinks.
Robinson's Bars
Dark wood, historic artefacts and live music in Fibber Magee's saloon, great fun is guaranteed at Robinsons.
Ulster Sports Club
Don't expect football on the TV at USC but you will find plenty of framed photos of NI's sporting heros adorning the walls of this trendy club/bar. Easy going with a bar at the front and a club outback, this is a favourite for late-night partying, we don't recommend if you are presenting an abstract in the morning!
The Duke of York
Completely covered in memorabilia and interesting knick-knacks, the Duke of York has become a tourist attraction in itself. Live music and great craic bring so many people to the pub that evenings usually spill out onto the quirkily decorated Commercial Court, the narrow street at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter which links many other great nightife spots.
Food, Drink and Experience Offers
When you're in Belfast, your delegate badge works wonders! From free drinks to discounted tickets for some of the city's best attractions, click the link below to see a list of exclusive offers available to you as a conference attendee.
All offers on this page and via the link above are provided by Visit Belfast, the local convention bureau. We'd like to thank them for the support of the event!