NI Day 2 Belfast 060821

The weather was pretty similar to day 1, but we had indoor stuff planned, so it didn’t matter too much. We had pre-booked tickets for The Titanic Experience, which is right opposite the hotel. It’s a really interesting place that gives a massive insight into the industries of Belfast, including shipbuilding. It also goes through the story of the Titanic and it’s ill-fated maiden voyage.

Slipway 2 ( top left) which launched RMS Olympic. Slipway 3 (top right) which launched RMS Titanic.

As we entered the building, we were greeted by a man who had lived in Northern Ireland for the past 24 years, but was originally from Huddersfield. He asked where we were from as he recognised the East Yorkshire accent!! He showed us where to start the Experience by going up an escalator to where our tickets were scanned. Whilst waiting in our socially distanced queue, we could see a massive wall of anodised steel which was rusty and gives the viewer an idea of what the Titanic will actually look like in its resting place two snd a half miles under the sea. The panels used on the Titanic construction were actually three times bigger than those shown, and would have been 2.5cm thick.

Below you can see some posters that were common at the time. Redmond was an Irish politician committed to political change by constitutional means. He campaigned for “Home Rule” as an interim form of All-Ireland self-government within the United Kingdom. Clearly there is opposition at that time, and something which still continues today.

The exhibition explains that Harland and Wolff business had the biggest shipbuilding yard in the world. In 1854, Edward Harland became manager of the shipbuilding yard, and he employed Gustav Wolff as his assistant three years later. In 1861, Robert Hickson sold his shipbuilding company to Harland, and Wolff became his partner. Harland and Wolff gained reputation as builders of high quality ships and eventually started building ships for Thomas Ismay’s White Star Line company.

The Harland and Wolff site covered 80 acres and employed 10 000 staff by the year 1900, and specialised in building larger vessels.

These gates mark the actual boundary of the Harland and Wolff shipyard on Queen’s Island, Belfast. The workers that passed through these gates every day were known as Islandmen.

It is easier to see the actual slipways of RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic from higher up within the Titanic Experience building.

We went on a “ride” which explained the construction of the Titanic. Three million rivets were used in the making of it.

On 31st May 1911, 100 000 people came to watch Titanic’s launch. People had to buy a ticket which was the equivalent of £2.50 today, and all proceeds went to local hospitals. Specially invited guests took their place in the VIP stand.

A Harland and Wolff typist kept her ticket stub from the launch day and wrote on the back of it what happened to The Titanic.

The Titanic left Belfast on 2nd April 1912 and headed to Southampton. Through personal accounts, we learned of the excitement of the people who bought tickets to sail on the passenger vessel from Southampton on 10th April 1912. It called at Cherbourg in France later the same day. An officer who had befriended an American couple was given the opportunity to sail with them to America as they offered to pay for his ticket. He contacted his employer who told him to get off the ship, so his journey didn’t continue and it probably saved his life. The ship called at Queenstown (now known as Cobh) in Ireland in the morning of 11th April 1912, before setting sail for New York in the afternoon of the same day. We learned that one of the crew forgot the binoculars which could have assisted in spotting the iceberg before it was too late, but blame is also apportioned to Captain Smith who, it is believed, was trying to cross the Atlantic in the fastest recorded time. He also had the arrogance to not listen to other ships’ warnings of being stuck in ice, and carried on regardless.

After the Experience, we headed back to the hotel to escape the rain (any excuse ha ha).

This is the Harland Bar which is part of the former engineer offices owned by Harland and Wolff. I had a Chieftain IPA which is brewed in Belfast.

After that, we headed into the city and passed the SS Nomadic, which is the only remaining vessel of the White Star Line.

If you know us well, you will always expect us to call at a bar or two, obviously to escape the rain!! We tried Brennan’s Bar on Great Victoria Street, which was buzzing with people but with staff ensuring that social distancing still took place. The staff were lovely and friendly, service was very efficient.

Inside Brennan’s Bar. Smithwick’s Red Ale was the order of the day.

Here is a picture on the wall of Brennan’s Bar, showing The Undertones, who hail from Derry, Northern Ireland.

Following our quick drink, we went back to The Crown Liquor Saloon for some more tempting food and drink. This time I had Irish pork and leek sausages with champ (mashed potatoes with cheese) and onion gravy. This time we were in snug booth A, next to some very lively British Irish men on a work’s outing, who were making the most of the company entertaining budget!!

Opposite the Crown is the Europa Hotel, the most bombed hotel in Europe.

Back at the hotel, we headed to the Harland Bar, where we were greeted by Curtis, a very cheeky Irish barman who was great at upselling. He recommended a Jawbox gin, distilled in Belfast, and he gave us a choice of either an Irish measure or an English measure! Of course we had to go with the Irish….next it was another recommendation, of the Shortcross gin, another Belfast gin.

The tiles on the bar are the same as those on the Titanic

Next, a quick turnaround to get ready for another place that I had researched, and also had recommended to us, the Mourne Seafood Bar. Despite assurances from the hotel that a taxi had been booked it took a while for one to turn up, just in time. Our taxi driver was great, giving the names of bars that we should go to in the same area.

The Mourne Seafood Bar did not disappoint. On arrival we were quickly escorted to our table and offered a drink as soon as we were seated. The restaurant was quite laid back and had a good vibe, with classic 80s music playing on the background.

Starters consisted of mussels and crusty roll and crispy fried lobster cake. Mains came after a suitable point and this was miso glazed hake and Mourne seafood casserole.

After the meal we looked for a taxi to take us back to the hotel and saw some more interesting artwork in the area.

After arriving back at the Titanic Quarter, this was another opportunity to take some interesting shots of the Titanic Experience building. The end of another brilliant day in this amazing city.