City Drive & Titanic Belfast

by coach & on foot

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and stands on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. By the early 19th century, Belfast played a very important part in the Industrial Revolution, becoming the largest linen producer in the world, whilst also famous for rope manufacturing, tobacco processing and ship construction. The famous Harland and Wolff shipyard has two giant cranes known affectionately as Samson and Goliath and was previously the world’s largest shipyard.

Belfast suffered greatly during the violence that accompanied the partition of Ireland and especially during the conflict that become known as ‘The Troubles’. Since that time, Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan destination with growth, optimism and life pulsating all throughout the city.

During a sightseeing drive of the city, your guide will provide commentary on many of Belfast’s famous sights such as the Grand Old Opera House, Albert Memorial Clock, Queen’s University, and the Botanic Gardens. You will also drive past Belfast City Hall, an impressive building with a 92m (300ft) long facade of Portland Stone which dominates Donegall Square.

A visit will be made to the ‘Titanic Belfast’ museum, a monument to Belfast’s proud maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland and Wolff shipyard. Located beside the Titanic slipways, the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched. This experience tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through to her construction, launch and to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

Titanic Belfast has nine galleries containing a variety of interpretative materials and media including computer-generated imagery, film and video, audio, archival materials and scale models. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four high impact ‘hull’ shaped sections which house the experience. The stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day will be told in an exciting and modern way.