Yes, schools are back, but that doesn't mean there is no time still for a staycation weekend (or day-trip) up to Belfast.
We have said it before and we'll say it again – this gorgeous city is right on our doorstep and has
tons to offer for the whole family. From museums and shopping, to world-class dining and some seriously stylish hotels to stay in too – is it any wonder we are such big fans of Belfast?
And if you go soon,
Titanic Belfast is celebrating the 35
th Anniversary of the discovery of RMS Titanic, and to mark the occasion, kids will be going in for free throughout September and October, so families can enjoy Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic and learn more about the world-famous ship and story.
On September 1st, 1985,
Dr Robert Ballard and French diving engineer Jean-Louis Michel discovered the world’s most famous ship’s final resting place and the world was captivated.
To mark the anniversary of the discovery, Titanic Belfast, the world-leading visitor attraction has just shared some of its favourite
‘Titanafacts’ that all Titanic fans should know.
- The RMS Titanic was built and launched in Belfast. Titanic Belfast is located on the exact spot and the beautifully restored Titanic Hotel Belfast is where she was designed.
- It took three years and approximately three thousand men to build RMS Titanic … but Harland and Wolff (the shipyard that built her) had to prepare for two years to be able to build the world’s biggest ship.
- At the time, Belfast was one of the fastest-growing industrial cities in the British Empire, it was the linen and ropework capital, with the largest shipbuilding firm in the world. Evidence of this can still be seen along the Maritime Mile today – it was like a city within a city.
- She cost about £1.5 million pounds – but to build her today it would cost many more millions.
- People were proud to work in Harland and Wolff - it took five years to become a qualified joiner … the same time as it would take to become a doctor.
- Titanic was nearly 270m long, big enough to span three tempestuous Atlantic Ocean wave crests. You can see the scale today on the Titanic Slipways where the outline of the Promenade Deck plan shows where the liner’s lifeboats and funnels and benches on board would have been.
- She was made of steel plates held together with 3 million rivets; Titanic Belfast’s hulls are the same height as Titanic from keel to Boat Deck!
- She was powerful and had three engines… She generated the same power as 46,000 horses and had three wheels for steering.
- She had four funnels – three that worked and one to make her look grander. They were so big that a train could drive through them!
- She was very grand indeed, she had a gym, a Turkish bath, a kennel for first class dogs, and a squash court. The first class cabins on Titanic, were the same standard as hotel cabins, second class was as good as first class on other ships,.. and she even had a heated swimming pool. Today, you can find some of the same tiles that were used for the swimming pool at the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
- The famous staircase, which was among the most luxurious appointments on the ship, was inspired by the staircase at Belfast City Hall.
- Titanic was launched in 62 seconds on 31st May 1911 from the Slipways. On the same day, the Olympic and the tender ships Nomadic and Traffic left Belfast, drawing over 100,000 spectators and journalists travelling from London and America.
- RMS Titanic travelled from Belfast to Southampton, Cherbourg, Queenstown (now known as Cobh) but never made it to New York. On the plaza surrounding Titanic Belfast, you will see her route on one of the largest maps of the Northern Hemisphere (10,000 m2).
- Exact numbers of those travelling on the Titanic is still debated today. What is known is that over 1,500 souls perished that night – a memorial garden is on the Titanic Slipways, where four grass lawns alternate with timber decking to illustrate the proportion of those who lost their lives and lived from each of the passenger classes and crew.
- Once Titanic hit the iceberg, its call for help was the QCD distress message – not simply SOS. The wooden benches encircling Titanic Belfast reflect this and are spaced in Morse code sequence that was used - “DE MGY MGY MGY CQD CQD SOS SOS CQD”
- It took over 70 years to find the exact location where RMS Titanic had sunk. She now lies 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, nearly two and a half miles (4000m) below sea level overlooking a small canyon below.
Visitors can also make Titanic Memories throughout Titanic Quarter with Titanic Foundation Limited’s new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail for families to learn more about the area’s history and symbolism ingrained in the area.
Customers must book online in advance of their visit to Titanic Belfast.
To plan your short break to the Titanic Quarter, visit discovernorternireland.com
