Where to relive the history of the Titanic in Belfast
On April 15th 1912, the famous Titanic ship sunk; 106 years on, Belfast pays homage to the passengers of the doomed liner.
Ask anyone what Belfast is known for and most likely your answer will be the Titanic. ICYDK, the famous ship was built right here in Belfast. So while you’re at Queen’s, why not take a tour of Belfast’s Titanic top spots?
1. Titanic Belfast
One must-visit venue has to be the Titanic Belfast Museum. It was only opened in 2012 and the building is 38 metres tall - the same height as the Titanic’s hull. Inside there’s a whole range of exhibitions commemorating the Titanic and its victims. It also has a fantastic ride that takes you on a tour of the shipyard as it would have been when the Titanic was being built between 1909 and 1911.
Recently I went to Titanic Belfast as BBC Question Time was filmed in one of its conference rooms which has a replica of the famous grand staircase.
2. The Famous Slipway
While you’re in Titanic Quarter (only a short train ride from Botanic station near uni) it’s worth having an explore around the slipway. It’s also the exact size of the Titanic in length. Also, if you’ve ever wandered through the city centre along Donegal Place then you may have spotted eight different masts along the streets - these also represent the Titanic and her seven lesser known sister ships.
3. Titanic The Musical
At the end of April, the award winning Titanic the Musical is coming to Belfast’s Grand Opera House from its original Broadway stage - be quick though as there’s not many tickets left!
4. Titanic via Segway
Going back to the Titanic Quarter, if you want to be a bit more adventurous, why not take a Segway tour of the area rather than just walking. This gives you the opportunity to see the whole area and try out a new mode of transport at the same time.
5. Titanic from the air
Another thing to do while you’re out at the Titanic Quarter if you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie is the newly opened indoor skydiving. I know what you’re thinking, how on earth do you skydive indoors? Well, it involves a huge wind tunnel and it’s great fun.
6. Take a City Sightseeing Bus
Another way to explore the Titanic’s heritage is to get on a City Sightseeing Bus tour of the city. The live guides on the bus come complete with good Belfast humour, along with encyclopaedic knowledge of the Titanic’s links with Belfast. The tour will show you the Harland and Wolff cranes which built the Titanic, that dominate the Belfast skyline, along with the rest of the Titanic Quarter and other Belfast attractions. If the guide tells you that the H&W on the cranes stands for Princes Harry and William then they’re pulling your leg!
When I went on the bus tour, our guide reminded us of one thing about the Titanic “It was perfectly fine when it left here!” I think that sums up Belfast’s humour perfectly!
Peter Moor
English with Linguistics | 2nd year | Huddersfield, England
I am 19 year old Yorkshire lad, born and bred but now studying English with Linguistics at Queen's. I decided to come to over to Northern Ireland after many holidays visiting family across the country. I am part of the university politics society and the debating society. This semester I'm also doing a French language course - wish me luck! I'm a keen swimmer which is certainly needed when this country has so much good food to offer!
