Titanic Belfast

Titanic Belfast

When it finally opens its shimmering doors on 31st March, Titanic Belfast will be the largest Titanic visitor experience in the world. Considering the ship was born in Belfast, built by Belfast and imagined by Belfast – there’s only one place that could do such an incredible tribute to the ship and its story.

The spectacular building that has been piercing the city’s skyline with its intriguing angles was designed to replicate the hulls of four ships – aluminium never looked so good. This will be a full-sensory event that takes visitors from construction to completion and eventual disaster. Promising state-of-the-art multimedia installations, a walk through the entire building, a replica of the ship’s grand staircase and even a ride through a reconstructed shipyard – it will go as deep as the wreck itself.

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Titanic Belfast Festival

The opening of Titanic Belfast will be anchoring the festival, but its fellow cast members sure won’t disappoint on the opening night. MTV, who stormed the city with the EMAs in November, will return for MTV Rock at the Docks at the iconic Titanic Slipway. A dazzling light show will highlight the Titanic Belfast building, with several installations beginning April 7. The docklands will tremble with excitement at boutique festival Titanic Shakedown at the Titanic’s Quarter with comedy, music, food stalls and local arts and crafts. Special theatre (they’ve promised ‘drama by the hull-full’) based on the inquiry of the sinking is also on the bill at the shiny new Metropolitan Arts Centre. Not to mention the several musicals, exhibitions and tours that will take place in the city. What we’re trying to say is: Clear your diary!

Belfast City - Past & Present

Buzzing Belfast has always been a hub of activity thanks to its rich shipbuilding heritage, literary legacy and musical maestros. Harland and Wolff, one of the world’s greatest shipyards, still use the mighty cranes Samson and Goliath, who reign proudly over the city’s skyline for all to see. To discover what you missed in centuries gone by, the Ulster Museum will enlighten you. Then on to the Linen Hall Library to peek at newspaper copies from the 18th Century and their unique collection on Belfast-born author CS Lewis, followed by a show at the Grand Opera House – you’re in for a treat, they’ve only been doing this since 1895. As if all that musical craic weren’t enough, the city boasts huge music festivals and a huge chunk of the historical and cultural NI 2012 pie. Get a feel for it by taking a Black Cab Tour driven by a local, dine in the culinary Cathedral Quarter and end the evening in one of Belfast’s many bars for a quiet or quite a lively night – we’ll leave it up to you.

Titanic Tours

To understand the impact that Titanic had on Belfast, you need to see the city with the true Titanoraks. Alas, these Titanic tours cannot take you around the ship itself but the Titanic Boat Tour does do views from the River Lagan of key Titanic sites; the shipyard, slipway and harbour. Susie Millar’s great grandfather was one of the ship’s engineers who didn’t survive the journey, and she brings his story (and that of Titanic) to life by talking and taking you through key Titanic locations on her Titanic Tours Belfast. The Titanic Walking Tour will keep your legs moving while you take in sights such as Queen’s island, where the Titanic and its sister ships were launched. A Titanic tour would not be complete without a visit to The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and its fascinating TITANICa exhibition.

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