I have resurrected this Topic because Mama Wedgy and I have just returned from visiting relatives and friends in Northern Ireland. This time we decided to first spend a few days in Belfast, which is something we always kept meaning to do on our previous visits. Whilst there, we decided to go on the advertised
'Titanic Walking Tours', which started at 11 am and 2pm every day, from outside the 'Premier Inn:Titanic Quarter' where we were staying. (This is a new Hotel, having been open for only a few months, right by the River Lagan and part of the general regeneration of the area).
What can I say? This, without doubt, was the most interesting and informative Tour I think I have ever been on. It was lead by Colin Cobb (a self-confessed 'Titanorak') and he had 'access
all areas'. We saw the slipways for 'Titanic' and (alongside) 'Olympic'; we went into the Harland & Wolff (original) Offices/Drawing Offices; saw the 'Graving Dock' (Dry Dock) where the hull of 'Titanic' was inspected and painted and the three gigantic propellers were fitted, together with the associated 'Pump House' (the enormous pumps which drained the Dry Dock); etc, etc.
For full details of this Tour, etc, click on the link below:
http://www.titanicwalk.com/index.htmlIf you are interested in the history of RMS 'Titanic', this is definitely for you! But you will have to go there soon. The area where 'Titanic' was built is undergoing major Regeneration: a new £100milion 'Titanic Centre' is being built (I have pics) which is to open in April 2012 (the 100th Anniversary of the disaster). The Harland & Wolff offices will be converted into an Hotel, with the original features retained (I'm glad to say!). So you will need to go within the next 12 months as this will be the last chance to see for yourself the areas in their
'original' state. 'George Best Belfast City Airport' is the closest Airport, but 'Belfast International Airport' is also only a relatively short Taxi ride away.
The 100th Anniversary of Titanic's launch is on 31st May 2011.
I took
loads of pics and I intend posting some of them on here.
I can thoroughly recommend the 'Premier Inn:Titanic Quarter'. We had no car, but this Hotel is within easy walking distance of the City Centre and is ideal for the start of this 'Walking Tour' (it goes ahead with 'a minimum of two people').
Another 'must' is to go on the guided tour of Belfast City Hall; amazing! Plus, one of the 'City Bus Tours'.
PW