2 Royal
Avenue
MayWe is delighted to manage 2 Royal Avenue, a new cultural venue that Belfast City Council have transformed playing host to artistic experiences, events and workshops.
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2026 Opening Hours
2 Royal Avenue is open 10am-6pm Monday to Sunday.
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Pop in to find some new additions to the space featuring...
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A New Installation 'Landscape with Columns and Figures' curated and commissioned by Belfast City Council with MMAS Architects and OGU Architects
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Our Kids Cosy area
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The Library Corner, featuring a selection of books for all ages by Northern Irish and Irish writers and a diversity themed collection, curated by Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens, Michaela Mc Dermott, and Orla McKeating, and supplied by No Alibis bookshop.
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A Homework Station
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Our Sensory Dome
Yallaa Café will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-4pm Sundays, serving delightful hot & cold beverages and delicious food, featuring a new lunch menu!
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​For more information about 2 Royal Avenue accessibility please visit AccessAble via this link: https://www.accessable.co.uk/belfast-city-council/access-guides/2-royal-avenue
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Check out whats on below!
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If you are interested in using 2 Royal Avenue for an event or workshop, please contact 2royalave@maywe.co.uk​
EXHIBITIONS
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​​This exhibition is a journey to “Discover Vietnam” through its unique cultural heritage, where brocade art and photography serve as the language telling stories of Vietnamese heritage and people. This exhibition is the result of artist Kimanh McDermott’s 20-year career in the fashion and heritage industry.
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Since choosing Belfast as her home, she has constantly observed and reflected on how to create a deeper connection between her two homelands. ​​“The Linen Connections” project was born from the discovery of a magical commonality: Despite being thousands of miles apart, we grow the very same plant – the Flax (Linen).
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In Vietnam, ethnic minority women weave linen to preserve their identity; here in Belfast, linen is the pride and the backbone of this city's local heritage.
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​“The Linen Connections” represents the intersection of two cultures sharing the same material roots. McDermott’s vision is to weave Vietnamese craftsmanship with Belfast linen to create a new 'living heritage', while continuing her long-standing mission to support ethnic minority women and children.
She cordially invites you to enjoy the beauty, feel the stories, and she looks forward to your contributions and partnership to make this event and her upcoming project even more meaningful.
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This exhibition will feature a range of activities:
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Friday 16th
3pm - Grand Opening of Exhibition
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Saturday 17th
10am – 11am - Introduction to Exhibition
11am-1pm - Handicraft and Art Workshop (£10)
1pm-5.30pm - Music by Tunes Translated (Vietnamese & Local)
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Drop In!
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DISCOVER VIETNAM:THE LINEN CONNECTION 16-18 January
kIMANH MCDERMOTT
EVENTS
week commencing 5th JANUARY
TUESDAY 6 JANUARY
THE GRAPEVINE 11am - 1pm
Age Friendly Belfast
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"Drop In" hub for older people.
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An opportunity to enjoy a chat, meet new people, become involved in events, and learn about new services.
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Free Event. Drop In.
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IT HELP 11am - 1pm
​​Age Friendly Belfast
Aged 55+ and in need of some help with your phone or laptop? Come along to 2 Royal
Avenue and get some tech help from Ignite IT!
Free event, drop in.
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SaturDAY 10 JANUARY
POLYPHONIC CREATIVE RETREAT 11am - 4pm
Beam Creative​​
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The Polyphonic Creative Retreat is happening this weekend, Saturday 10th, and Sunday 11th in 2 Royal Avenue!
Spaces are still available….AND ITS COMPLETELY FREE!!
Saturday @ 11am-4pm
Sunday @ 12pm-3pm
The retreat is designed as a creative recharge, a space for people to explore the meaning of creativity while experimenting with artistic practices in music, songwriting, and production with professional artists.
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Through group sessions, personal creative exercises, and open conversations, participants will uncover their individual creative voice, set meaningful goals, and be supported to develop their own ideas, ambitions, and bold “what if” moments.
This retreat marks the beginning of the free weekly Polyphonic workshops, taking place across Belfast from January to March, leading towards a public performance at the MAC Theatre.
To hear more and sign up to the Polyphonic Project and Creative Retreat contact kathryn@beamcreativenetwork.com or Tel 07784697625
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SUNDAY 11 JANUARY
POLYPHONIC CREATIVE RETREAT 12pm - 3pm
Beam Creative​​
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The Polyphonic Creative Retreat is happening this weekend, Saturday 10th, and Sunday 11th in 2 Royal Avenue!
Spaces are still available….AND ITS COMPLETELY FREE!!
Saturday @ 11am-4pm
Sunday @ 12pm-3pm
The retreat is designed as a creative recharge, a space for people to explore the meaning of creativity while experimenting with artistic practices in music, songwriting, and production with professional artists.
​
Through group sessions, personal creative exercises, and open conversations, participants will uncover their individual creative voice, set meaningful goals, and be supported to develop their own ideas, ambitions, and bold “what if” moments.
This retreat marks the beginning of the free weekly Polyphonic workshops, taking place across Belfast from January to March, leading towards a public performance at the MAC Theatre.
To hear more and sign up to the Polyphonic Project and Creative Retreat contact kathryn@beamcreativenetwork.com or Tel 07784697625
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WRESTLING PODCAST 3pm - 6pm
NIPW ​​
Join Jonny McIlroy, live from Belfast's historic 2 Royal Avenue, as he unpacks the lineup, unpredictability, and chaos, ahead of NIPW's first wrestling event of 2026: NIPW Shockwave.
The NIPW Podcast launches a new platform broadcasting all things NIPW live to the world. Join us to see NIPW up-and-comers, stars, champions, and special guests as we go live with Jonny at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 11th, 2026.
If you are in Belfast, come down and experience this free event in person!
Free event, drop in.
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SUNDAY CHESS 2pm - 5pm
Roaming Knights​
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Belfast City Chess meet up. This is a free weekly social meet up for chess players. It is not a chess club, or tournament.
Under 16s must be accompanied by responsible adult.
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Free event. Drop in!
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week commencing 12th JANUARY
tuesday 13 january
THE GRAPEVINE 11am - 1pm
Age Friendly Belfast
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"Drop In" hub for older people.
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An opportunity to enjoy a chat, meet new people, become involved in events, and learn about new services.
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Free Event. Drop In.
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TAI CHI 1pm - 2pm
Join Towa ZenChi for a guided session of health and wellbeing through meditation in motion. Drawing on Qigong, Tai Chi, and Karate-Do, this gentle yet energising practice promotes longevity, flexibility, and calmness.
Participants are invited to reconnect mind, body, and spirit, promoting peace and harmony - both within themselves and with the world around them.
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Free Event. Drop In.
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HEARING AID SUPPORT 2pm - 4pm
RNID​
Visit RNID's free drop-in service – no appointment needed.​ You can get help with:
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 Information on hearing loss and tinnitus​
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 How to do a hearing check​
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 How to access support and services in your area.​
Free Event, no booking required just drop in.
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wedneSday 14 JANUARY
SOS LÓIN 12pm - 2pm​​
Sos Lóin, Béal Feirste
Beir leat do lón féin agus bí ag labhairt Gaeilge i gcroílár chathair Bhéal Feirste ag am lóin. Is teacht le chéile réchúiseach é an Sos Lóin mar a bhfuil fáilte roimh éinne ar mhaith leis Gaeilge a labhairt ar a shuaimhneas.
Cibé cé acu atá tú ag obair i lár an bhaile nó i mbun siopadóireachta nó eile, buail isteach chugainn agus déan do chomhrá seal. Bíonn an Sos Lóin ar siúl gach re Céadaoin in 2 Ascaill Ríoga idir 12.00 agus 14.00. Is imeacht saor in aisce é seo. Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, seol ríomhphost chuig sosloinbealfeirste@gmail.com
The Sos Lóin is an informal meet-up where anyone who wants to speak Irish at their ease is welcome. Bring your own lunch and speak Irish in the heart of Belfast over lunch time. Whether you are working in the town centre, shopping or otherwise, call in and chat a
while.
The Sos Lóin is on every other Wednesday in 2 Royal Avenue between 12.00 and 14.00.
This is a free event. For more information, please e-mail sosloinbealfeirste@gmail.com
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Sunday 18 JANUARY
SUNDAY CHESS 2pm - 5pm
Roaming Knights​
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Belfast City Chess meet up. This is a free weekly social meet up for chess players. It is not a chess club, or tournament.
Under 16s must be accompanied by responsible adult.
​
Free event. Drop in!
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week commencing 19th JANUARY
tuesday 20 january
THE GRAPEVINE 11am - 1pm
Age Friendly Belfast
​​
"Drop In" hub for older people.
​
An opportunity to enjoy a chat, meet new people, become involved in events, and learn about new services.
​
Free Event. Drop In.
​​​​
TAI CHI 1pm - 2pm
Join Towa ZenChi for a guided session of health and wellbeing through meditation in motion. Drawing on Qigong, Tai Chi, and Karate-Do, this gentle yet energising practice promotes longevity, flexibility, and calmness.
Participants are invited to reconnect mind, body, and spirit, promoting peace and harmony - both within themselves and with the world around them.
​
Free Event. Drop In.
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Sunday 25 JANUARY
SUNDAY CHESS 2pm - 5pm
Roaming Knights​
​
Belfast City Chess meet up. This is a free weekly social meet up for chess players. It is not a chess club, or tournament.
Under 16s must be accompanied by responsible adult.
​
Free event. Drop in!
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