Meeting Venue
ICAR2022 will be held at the ICC Belfast between Monday June 20th- Friday June 24th. This major international conference venue is run by experienced conference staff to ensure a smooth meeting experience.
Plenary Sessions and the poster sessions, coffee breaks, buffet lunch and dinner will take place in the Hall 1 exhibition space. This will ensure that exhibitors and posters have high visibility to delegates throughout the meeting,
Plenary Sessions and the poster sessions, coffee breaks, buffet lunch and dinner will take place in the Hall 1 exhibition space. This will ensure that exhibitors and posters have high visibility to delegates throughout the meeting,
Travel to Belfast
Overland Travel
Although many delegates will need to travel to the meeting by plane we are supporting climate goals by providing rebates for those people who travel overland. See details on Support grants.
- Ferry travel to Belfast is possible from Scotland (Cairnryan) or England (Liverpool) . Details here.
- Ferry travel to Dublin is possible from England (Liverpool), Wales (Holyhead) and France (Cherbourg). Details here.
These ferry routes allow for both foot-passengers and car-passengers.
- You can travel by train within the UK to Liverpool, Stranraer railway station (a short taxi ride from Cairnryan) or Holyhead. Train times can be found at Trainline.com. Early booking is advised as same-day tickets aree often MUCH more expensive.
Air Travel
Belfast is well served by three airports:
George Best Belfast City Airport: This airport is a short distance from the ICC and is served by local flights to the UK and Amsterdam.
Belfast International Airport: This airport is a 30minute drive from the meeting venue and is served by flights from across Europe, Cuba, Orlando and Las Vegas.
Dublin International Airport: This airport is in the Irish Republic and is served by a wide range of international destinations.
The best option for travel between Dublin and Belfast is on the train as it works its way along the coast. Train information here.
An hourly bus service travels between Dublin airport and Belfast City Centre. This Route 705X service takes 2h30min.
Although many delegates will need to travel to the meeting by plane we are supporting climate goals by providing rebates for those people who travel overland. See details on Support grants.
- Ferry travel to Belfast is possible from Scotland (Cairnryan) or England (Liverpool) . Details here.
- Ferry travel to Dublin is possible from England (Liverpool), Wales (Holyhead) and France (Cherbourg). Details here.
These ferry routes allow for both foot-passengers and car-passengers.
- You can travel by train within the UK to Liverpool, Stranraer railway station (a short taxi ride from Cairnryan) or Holyhead. Train times can be found at Trainline.com. Early booking is advised as same-day tickets aree often MUCH more expensive.
Air Travel
Belfast is well served by three airports:
George Best Belfast City Airport: This airport is a short distance from the ICC and is served by local flights to the UK and Amsterdam.
Belfast International Airport: This airport is a 30minute drive from the meeting venue and is served by flights from across Europe, Cuba, Orlando and Las Vegas.
Dublin International Airport: This airport is in the Irish Republic and is served by a wide range of international destinations.
The best option for travel between Dublin and Belfast is on the train as it works its way along the coast. Train information here.
An hourly bus service travels between Dublin airport and Belfast City Centre. This Route 705X service takes 2h30min.
VISA Requirements
VISA requirementsBelfast is in Northern Ireland and so is part of the United Kingdom. See the short video below for some advice on VISAs.
UK VISA website.
Republic of Ireland VISA website
The basic rule is that if you a citizen of a country that requires a VISA to enter either the UK or Republic of Ireland then you should obtain a VISA appropriate for the location in which you arrive. Travel between the two countries should then be possible. However please check these rules for your country of citizenship.
So:
1. If you land in Belfast please obtain a United Kingdom VISA. This will allow you to also travel to the Republic of Ireland for a holiday.
2. If you land in Dublin please obtain a Republic of Ireland VISA. This will allow you to travel to Belfast for the ICAR2022 conference.
Travel by EU Citizens
EU citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between UK and the Republic of Ireland. There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements. UKGOV article
Travel by US Citizens
Until the end of 2022 there no requirement for a US citizen to obtain a VISA for short stays in the UK or Europe. Information here
Travel by Chinese or Indian citizens.
Citizens of these countries are eligible for the British Irish Visa Scheme. This allows short term travel between the UK and Ireland.
Travel from delegates requiring a VISA
Direct travel to United Kingdom including Northern Ireland
International conference delegates arriving in Belfast or anywhere else in the United Kingdom will need to apply for a Standard Visitor VISA for travel to the UK. A Standard Visitor VISA costs £95 and can only be applied for 3 months before travel.
There is usually NO requirement for a VISA letter but if it is needed then please email Geraint Parry with VISA LETTER in the title.
To check if you need a UK entry VISA please visit this site.
Travel via Dublin.
People who arrive in Dublin will need to obtain an appropriate VISA for the Republic of Ireland. These people will be able to travel freely to Belfast for a short-term conference visit
UK VISA website.
Republic of Ireland VISA website
The basic rule is that if you a citizen of a country that requires a VISA to enter either the UK or Republic of Ireland then you should obtain a VISA appropriate for the location in which you arrive. Travel between the two countries should then be possible. However please check these rules for your country of citizenship.
So:
1. If you land in Belfast please obtain a United Kingdom VISA. This will allow you to also travel to the Republic of Ireland for a holiday.
2. If you land in Dublin please obtain a Republic of Ireland VISA. This will allow you to travel to Belfast for the ICAR2022 conference.
Travel by EU Citizens
EU citizens will continue to enjoy the right to travel between UK and the Republic of Ireland. There will be no requirements for separate visas or additional passport requirements. UKGOV article
Travel by US Citizens
Until the end of 2022 there no requirement for a US citizen to obtain a VISA for short stays in the UK or Europe. Information here
Travel by Chinese or Indian citizens.
Citizens of these countries are eligible for the British Irish Visa Scheme. This allows short term travel between the UK and Ireland.
Travel from delegates requiring a VISA
Direct travel to United Kingdom including Northern Ireland
International conference delegates arriving in Belfast or anywhere else in the United Kingdom will need to apply for a Standard Visitor VISA for travel to the UK. A Standard Visitor VISA costs £95 and can only be applied for 3 months before travel.
There is usually NO requirement for a VISA letter but if it is needed then please email Geraint Parry with VISA LETTER in the title.
To check if you need a UK entry VISA please visit this site.
Travel via Dublin.
People who arrive in Dublin will need to obtain an appropriate VISA for the Republic of Ireland. These people will be able to travel freely to Belfast for a short-term conference visit
Accommodation in Belfast
Belfast has a wide range of hotel accommodation that can be booked through the usual booking sites or AirBnB.
The ICAR2022 host hotel is the Hilton, Belfast and we can offer preferential rate for ICAR2022 delegates. We are currently in discussions with VisitBelfast to offer accommodation at proximal student housing.
ICAR2022 event partners Visit Belfast have arranged a set of preferential hotel rates (per night):
- Hilton Belfast (host hotel attached to ICC), 4 Lanyon Place Belfast, County Antrim BT1 3LP: £125-135
BOOKING LINK
- Maldron Hotel, 20 Brunswick Street, Belfast, BT2 7GE; 0.7miles from ICC: £90-£100/night
BOOKING LINK
- Jurys Inn, Great Victoria St, Belfast BT1 6DY; 0.9miles from ICC £90-£120
BOOKING LINK Use Promo-code JIICAR19062.
- Clayton Hotel, 22 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HS; 0.7miles from ICC: £139-£149
BOOKING LINK. Please use Promo-code ICAR200622
- Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St. Belfast BT2 7AP; 0.8miles from ICC: £80-100
Please call 02890 271066 OR email res@eur.hastingshotels.com and quote ICAR2022 & Booking ID number (177523)
- Ibis Belfast Queens Quarter, 75 University St, Belfast BT7 1HL; 1.3miles from ICC: £95-105
- Ibis Belfast City Centre, 100 Castle St, Belfast BT1 1HF; 0.8miles from ICC: £95-105
- Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast, The Gasworks, 3 Cromac Place, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JB; 0.7miles from ICC: £80-90
BOOKING LINK
- Park Inn by Radisson Belfast, 4 Clarence Street West, BT2 7GP, Belfast: 0.7miles from ICC. £70-80
- Queens University Belfast, Queens Elms, 78 Ash Ave, Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 5BW. 2 miles from ICC.
Ensuite B+B: £45; Standard B+B: £40
- Central Belfast Apartments. 2-4 bedroom apartments located across the city. Cheaper per room than hotel rooms. Limited availability.
BOOKING LINK.
- Belfast Youth Hostel, 22-32 Donegall Road Belfast, BT12 5JN. 1.1 miles from ICC.
Dorm beds from £13, private rooms from £32. Breakfast available at an extra cost.
Contact: info@hini.org.uk +44 28 9031 5435
www.hini.org.uk
The ICAR2022 host hotel is the Hilton, Belfast and we can offer preferential rate for ICAR2022 delegates. We are currently in discussions with VisitBelfast to offer accommodation at proximal student housing.
ICAR2022 event partners Visit Belfast have arranged a set of preferential hotel rates (per night):
- Hilton Belfast (host hotel attached to ICC), 4 Lanyon Place Belfast, County Antrim BT1 3LP: £125-135
BOOKING LINK
- Maldron Hotel, 20 Brunswick Street, Belfast, BT2 7GE; 0.7miles from ICC: £90-£100/night
BOOKING LINK
- Jurys Inn, Great Victoria St, Belfast BT1 6DY; 0.9miles from ICC £90-£120
BOOKING LINK Use Promo-code JIICAR19062.
- Clayton Hotel, 22 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HS; 0.7miles from ICC: £139-£149
BOOKING LINK. Please use Promo-code ICAR200622
- Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St. Belfast BT2 7AP; 0.8miles from ICC: £80-100
Please call 02890 271066 OR email res@eur.hastingshotels.com and quote ICAR2022 & Booking ID number (177523)
- Ibis Belfast Queens Quarter, 75 University St, Belfast BT7 1HL; 1.3miles from ICC: £95-105
- Ibis Belfast City Centre, 100 Castle St, Belfast BT1 1HF; 0.8miles from ICC: £95-105
- Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast, The Gasworks, 3 Cromac Place, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JB; 0.7miles from ICC: £80-90
BOOKING LINK
- Park Inn by Radisson Belfast, 4 Clarence Street West, BT2 7GP, Belfast: 0.7miles from ICC. £70-80
- Queens University Belfast, Queens Elms, 78 Ash Ave, Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 5BW. 2 miles from ICC.
Ensuite B+B: £45; Standard B+B: £40
- Central Belfast Apartments. 2-4 bedroom apartments located across the city. Cheaper per room than hotel rooms. Limited availability.
BOOKING LINK.
- Belfast Youth Hostel, 22-32 Donegall Road Belfast, BT12 5JN. 1.1 miles from ICC.
Dorm beds from £13, private rooms from £32. Breakfast available at an extra cost.
Contact: info@hini.org.uk +44 28 9031 5435
www.hini.org.uk
COVID Requirements
Our absolute priority is to organise an in-person event that is safe for everyone who attends.
COVID requirements for entry to Northern Ireland will constantly change during the year. It is likely that entry to the UK will require delegates to be appropriately vaccinated against COVID19. Entry requirements are different from either Red-list or Non-Red list countries although the identity of these countries will change throughout 2022.
January 19th update:
If you qualify as fully vaccinated you do not need to:
UK Government advice can be downloaded here:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travelling-northern-ireland-non-red-list-country#toc-0
We will adhere to all local rules for mask-wearing and social distancing. We expect that by June 2022 mask-wearing will be optional in the UK but we will advise wearing masks in crowded areas and on public transport. Overseas attendees will need to have taken a lFT to travel so we will not ask for any additional testing to enter the venue. Depending on COVID rates at the time of the meeting we reserve the right to ask UK and Irish attendees to take a LFT before attending the meeting.
Our absolute priority is to organise an in-person event that is safe for everyone who attends.
COVID requirements for entry to Northern Ireland will constantly change during the year. It is likely that entry to the UK will require delegates to be appropriately vaccinated against COVID19. Entry requirements are different from either Red-list or Non-Red list countries although the identity of these countries will change throughout 2022.
January 19th update:
If you qualify as fully vaccinated you do not need to:
- take a COVID-19 test before you travel to Northern Ireland or
- self-isolate as soon as you arrive in Northern Ireland.
- complete a UK Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before arrival in Northern Ireland
- before travelling, book and pay for a day two PCR or Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test to be taken on or before day two following your arrival in Northern Ireland
- aged 18 and over, be able to prove that you have been fully vaccinated with a document (digital or paper-based) from a national or state level public health body.
UK Government advice can be downloaded here:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travelling-northern-ireland-non-red-list-country#toc-0
We will adhere to all local rules for mask-wearing and social distancing. We expect that by June 2022 mask-wearing will be optional in the UK but we will advise wearing masks in crowded areas and on public transport. Overseas attendees will need to have taken a lFT to travel so we will not ask for any additional testing to enter the venue. Depending on COVID rates at the time of the meeting we reserve the right to ask UK and Irish attendees to take a LFT before attending the meeting.
