Belfast was a shipbuilding city, its most
infamous, the Titanic. 100 years after the sinking a six story, E 97 million exhibition hall was built
on the dry dock of the shipyard where Titanic was built and from where she was
launched. The exterior of the hall is covered in aluminum panels and each
corner points out like the bow of a ship.
Inside, the high-tech, interactive experience
starts in the 1900’s with an introduction to economic conditions in Belfast,
proceeds to depictions of the shipyards and their dangerous and demanding working
conditions, on to surround screens that immerse you in the trappings of various
decks, displays of staterooms and steerage, (which was said to be more
comfortable than the day-to-day living conditions of many travelers), and
ultimately the tragic sinking. Interspersed are various artifacts: letters,
menus, White Star china and tableware and even the original gates from the
Harland & Wolff Shipyard.
Much to see and much to learn.
The Shipyard Ride is Disneyesque. Stepping into
a moving tram car we are whisked through a mockup of the innards of the Titanic
as it is being built. Signs indicate wait times, most likely for summer crowds.
We walk right on.
The final gallery illustrates ongoing research
in the Ocean Exploration Center.
Before leaving Belfast we slip into St Anne’s Church, rumored to have a
connection with the Davidson family. The docent inside isn’t interested in
chatting about ancestors, he wants us to pay an entrance fee to tour the place.
Our loop
is complete. We return to Malahide, the lovely resort town just outside Dublin. Dinner at McGovern’s and one last night in the Pebble Mll B&B.
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| Titanic Launch Site |
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| Titanic Lunch |
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| St Anne's Church |
Tomorrow
we fly east and west. All pieces back in the game box ready for the start of
the next adventure.
We learned:
Kil means church
Bally means gathering place
Craic means fun
To pay a toll, go online and enter your credit card info up to 48 hours after you've used the road. There are no toll booths.
The Irish are proud of their language and work to preserve it. Road signs are in Gaelic and English.
We learned:
Kil means church
Bally means gathering place
Craic means fun
To pay a toll, go online and enter your credit card info up to 48 hours after you've used the road. There are no toll booths.
The Irish are proud of their language and work to preserve it. Road signs are in Gaelic and English.
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| What Happens in Ireland Stays in Ireland |
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