During our short stay in Belfast, we knew that we wanted to visit North Ireland's newest and biggest attraction.
Titanic Belfast opened to great fanfare in March 2012
just 100 meters from where the infamous ship was actually built.
They do have some artifacts, but it's not a museum as much as an experience.
The building is gorgeous and was designed to be reminiscent of the hull of a ship.
There are nine galleries of interactive and multimedia exhibits.
A majority of the exhibit focuses on the Belfast of the day and the great shipyard of Harland & Wolff.
Things
are broken up by a short ride that takes you up and down
to see the
builders banging on the rivets to build the behemoth ship.
The recreation of the cabins were very interesting.
We paid the extra £3 for the audioguides which definitely added to the experience.
There is plenty to do and see and with ticket prices at £14.50, I felt there was great value for money.
We were lucky enough to be there when they were exhibiting the original violin and case
that belonged to Wallace Hartley. He played on as the ship sank.
They later found the case attached to his body.
The violin just recently sold at auction for £900,000 which breaks the record for titanic memorabilia.
There is one gallery that focuses on the actual sinking and another small gallery
that focuses on the aftermath. I didn't know that original reports went out after the sinking saying that
everyone had survived. There must have been so much confusion.
At the end there is a underwater theatre showing a film about the discovery and investigation of the shipwreck.
You can use computers to explore the wreckage field.
It took us a few hours to get through the exhibit, but we could have spent several more hours.
There is a restaurant and cafe on site and a gift shop, of course.
Belfast is very proud of her industrial and maritime heritage.
They are still building ships at Harland and Wolff.
I highly recommend a visit to Titanic Belfast if you visit Northern Ireland.
Have you visited Titanic Belfast? What did you think?
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*I received two complimentary tickets to Titanic Belfast for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are 100% my own.
*I received two complimentary tickets to Titanic Belfast for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are 100% my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
It looks fascinating. We visited the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool and I really enjoyed the Titanic exhibition (although I was more shocked by the Lusitania part of the exhibition. The Lusitania was torpedoed by a German u-boat in 1915). I'd definitely like to see this when I visit Belfast.
ReplyDeleteI think that it looks... I would say interesting/fascinating but those would not be the appropriate words... I hope that one day I will be able to visit it as well. Since I was a small girl I was intrigued by the story of the Titanic. Titanic was my fav movie and I used to collect anything related to it. I even have the VHS ;)))) But now being serious and all... I would love to see that place one day! Did I mention my jaw dropped when Downton Abbey began by mentioning the Titanic wreck?! :D
ReplyDeleteVERY cool experience! I would love to do this! I was a teenager when James Cameron's Titanic came out, and even though it might partially {or maybe a lot} be due to the overwhelming crush I had on Leonardo DiCaprio at the time, I got really interested in this piece of history. We've watched a few documentaries, but I'd really love to see what this is like in person!
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky enough to visit the Titanic exhibition when it was touring in Spain. It must have been a great experience to have actually been where it was launched.
ReplyDeleteI visited Titanic Belfast in July and loved it. You're right in saying it is more than a musesum - it is an experience. I just can't even fathom what it would have been like being a passenger or crew member when it went down. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your posts on Ireland. I've always wanted to visit Ireland. I think if you enjoyed the Titanic Belfast then you should add visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia to your travel list. They have an amazing maritime museum with rotating and permanent exhibits. One of the permanent exhibits is based on Halifax's role in the rescuing and recovery of passengers of the Titanic. They have a considerable amount of artifacts from their recovery mission. They also have a fascinating permanent exhibit about the Halifax Explosion of 1917 (two ships collided and one exploded and the explosion was so great it destroyed everything within a half mile inland killing several thousand).
ReplyDeleteSeems like an interesting place to visit. I read all about the Titanic when the movie came out and the whole story and I would love to see some of the artifacts in person.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that. We went to Belfast last year for St Paddy's day and saw loads of amazing things but we didn't make it to the Titanic Experience so that's definitely one for another trip. Belfast was fascinating though.
ReplyDeletecool! my son really wants to see this museum! he's fascinated with the Titanic story after they did it at school.
ReplyDeleteYears ago Mom, Theresa and I went to a Titanic exhibit in Chicago. We were all given tickets that were replicas of the originals, with original names. At the end, we went to a list that was posted to see if "we" survived. It was a very sobering experience to say the least.
ReplyDeleteCindy
www.thebeeladyfromhilltopfarm.blogspot.com
I haven't been to the one in Chicago. Sounds like it was very intense and well done. Belfast was good. I like that it really focused on the people who built the ship. Although it turned out so tragic. Hope you're having a great weekend, Cindy Bindy!!
ReplyDeleteHe would really enjoy Belfast Titanic. They've done a good job of making it really interactive.
ReplyDeleteHe would really enjoy Belfast Titanic. They've done a good job of making it really interactive.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear about St. Patrick's Day in Ireland! I bet that was fun. :D
ReplyDeleteI was really excited to see the violin and the case. It's taken them many years to validate the authenticity. I definitely recommend a visit. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Jenn :D
ReplyDeleteSarah Grace, thank you so much for telling me about this. It sounds fascinating! Halifax will have to go on my wish list! Thanks for reading and commenting. :D
ReplyDeleteIt is such a tragic story. I found your post about Belfast. Sounds like you had a fantastic time there! :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the traveling exhibit. I bet they had a lot of artifacts, didn't they. Is it pretty well done?
ReplyDeleteIt's such an intriguing story and that movie with Jack and Rose obviously hit a nerve with a lot of people. I'm not going to tell you how old I was when it came out ;) but I might have had a crush on Leonardo also. You should definitely get to Belfast soon. Such a quick flight.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a story that captures a lot of interest. Romantic and tragic. Do you still have your collection?
ReplyDeleteWhen are you going to Belfast? I'm looking forward to visiting Liverpool in February. I'll add the Maritime Museum to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteIt was incredibly well done, Selena. I didn't write about my visit when it was in Mérida - but a fellow blogger did when it was in Sevilla: http://scribblerinseville.com/2012/11/17/ship-of-dreams-titanic-the-exhibition-comes-to-seville/
ReplyDeletebut of course! I would not throw it for the world :D
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I have been meaning to get a good reason to visit NI, and now it looks like I have one!
ReplyDeleteLast spring our family traveled to Ireland from America, an important stop on our trip was Belfast. We all looked forward with great anticipation our visit to the Titanic Museum, we were not disappointed. The building design and each and every display was wonderful, we encourage everyone to visit this important piece of history.
ReplyDeleteI was there in last month but I want to be there again next month lol
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely on my list of must-sees! :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, put aside a whole afternoon for the Maritime Museum because it's got a great slavery exhibition too as well as a customs exhibition.
ReplyDeleteWe've not got plans to go to Belfast yet but I do have a good friend there.
What a cool & unique experience! I love learning more about the Titanic, so I'm sure I'd find this to be a hit.
ReplyDeleteI never knew there were so many Titanic attractions all over the world. This one was great and I liked that it really focused on Belfast and the heritage of the people.
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They have a replica of the Titanic staircase but it's not open to the public. You can, however, have afternoon tea by the staircase. I'd also love to go to an evening event there. It's beautiful.
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Can't get enough :)
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That's fabulous! I'm so glad that you can vouch with me that it's a really great exhibit. I bet you had an amazing time in Ireland. Where else did you visit?
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Oh, Jade, you have to go to Northern Ireland. It's beautiful. We're going to go back this year and see the Giant's Causeway. Can't wait!
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Wow, I am fascinated by this. The violin would be so eerie, but interesting to see!
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit hard to believe that it is still around. It was a fascinating place!
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