Belfast, Ireland

Belfast, Ireland Ferry from Stranraer (Southwest of Glasgow)

"Imposing architecture... foot-stomping music in packed out pubs" sounds pretty cool to me. The cities biggest tourist attraction is also one of North Ireland's best museums, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, sounds like a visit could be interesting...

...more importantly perhaps would be a visit to the Crown Liquor Saloon, built in 1885, and which displays Victorian architecture at its most extravagent. The Botanic Gardens sounds ok, or you can take a 'people's taxi' to visit Falls and Shankill Roads, to see the large murals expressing local religious and political passions (Falls Rd Catholic; Shankill Rd Protestant).

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival happens in early May (www.cqaf.com)  for "pioneering writers, comedians, musicians, artists and theatre productions" ... this could be your cup of tea, my budding writer/playwright friend.