Bars and Restaurants In Northern Ireland with Literary Connections
1. John Hewitt - John Hewitt Bar
John Hewitt, the late poet, socialist and Freeman of Belfast, officially opened the bar in the Cathedral Quarter in 1983. Having such a close relationship with the arts in Belfast, The John Hewitt naturally progressed to becoming a popular venue for quality live music with gigs as diverse as jazz, Ulster Scots folk or cajun. Boundary Brewery operate the drinks, so the main offering is craft beers, but a range of drinks are served on the premises.
2. Sir John Lavery - Clennaghans in Aghalee
Kate Clenaghan's stone cottage is now a restaurant and pub. She was the cousin of Sir John Lavery, a distinguished Irish artist. He grew up on a farm as a young boy, having been orphaned. Through his life, he became one of the greatest artists of his age and was honoured by nearly every city in Europe. He received the Freedom of Belfast in 1930. He painted famous people such as Queen Victoria, for the National Portrait Gallery. He was elected President of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts. In 1918 with his great friend Winston Churchill, Lavery witnessed and painted the surrender of the German fleet, disguised as a naval officer.
He married American beauty Hazel Lavery and featured her, their daughters and her friends in many of his works. Her portrait was on the Irish punt note. Throughout his career, Sir John kept in contact with his cousins here in Soldierstown, and we are delighted to honour his memory by displaying copies of his paintings and other memorabilia in Clenaghans Restaurant.
3. William Connor - Orto
William Connor painted many of his best pieces in his studio opposite the Ulster Museum near the Harrison. From 1957 to 1964, he was President of the Royal Ulster Academy in Belfast. A large permanent collection of his work is in the Ulster Museum, both in South Belfast and at the Ulster Folk Park. Orto is now a high-quality wood-fired pizzeria.
4. Percy French - The Percy French
Located at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, in the grounds of the Slieve Donard Resort Newcastle, County Down this fine bar and restaurant with a log fire is named after the writer, artist and entertainer, Percy French, composer of the famous song "The Mountains of Mourne".
5. CS Lewis - The Lamp Post Cafe
This CS Lewis-themed cafe with snacks and coffee with quotations and vintage furniture. Near CS Lewis Square East Belfast.
Jonathan Swift - Grand Central Hotel Belfast
Some people say that you can see a slumbering giant in the shape of the hills that overlook Belfast. Legend has it that this was the inspiration for Gulliver in Jonathan Swift’s famous book; today, these same hills provide the heather used in the making of Jawbox Gin. It is in this giant’s honour that Jawbox ‘Giant’s Edition’ – the world’s largest bottle of gin – is named. Jonathan’s Twist cocktail, made with gin from that appropriately giant bottle, accompanies your afternoon tea.
1-5pm JAWBOX GIANT’S EDITION AFTERNOON TEA.
Bronte Steak House
The restaurant situated in the Bronte Homeland area near Loughbrickland Co Down, and they have various memorabilia connected with the Bronte family on display which visitors to the restaurant can peruse while awaiting their meal.
