The influence that the Titanic has on the city ‘Belfast’ is humongous, to say the least. So it’s only fitting that an entire museum was dedicated to the famous ship that opened in Belfast in 2012 (marking 100 years of the sinking of the ship).
The museum is a work of art both from the inside as well as outside. The fantastic exteriors show two ships being constructed side by side in the Harland & Wolff shipyards. Inside there is a range of interactive displays (meant to stimulate both young and mature minds) about a range of topics.
There is an apt retelling of Belfast’s industrial past and its effect on Ireland’s economy, the story of the creation of Titanic, her fallacies that led her to sink and the actual discovery of the wreck etc. The museum opened in 2012 and since then it has won multiple awards of excellence.
History
The scintillating design happened because of the collaboration of two top architect firms; Eric Kuhne and Associates and Todd Architects. The building’s design shows Belfast’s ship making legacy beautifully with ‘Olympic’ and ‘Titanic’ being constructed side by side.
Many people think that the building looks like an Iceberg with its 3000 glimmering silver infused aluminium shards and locals often call the Belfast Titanic ‘Iceberg’. It cost about 100 million pounds to put the building together including the construction, pre-planning and facility layout.
Notice the figure of female diving right in front of the building. She is Titanica and Rowan Gillespie made this bronze sculpture to signify positivity and hope after the aftermath of the Titanic debacle. Incidentally, the Methodist Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian churches dedicated the figure to the Belfast town on 24th March 2012. The Titanic Belfast is the core of the Titanic quarter that’s the world’s biggest waterfront regeneration project.
Sections & Galleries
The Titanic Belfast basically aims to let you know all there is to know about the ship Titanic. If you want to see all the exhibits and love the idea of ‘Titanic’ then it will take you at least 4 hours to see the entire place. The account of the sinking of the ship is delivered very respectfully and you will probably be moved by the experience as you walk through the 9 rooms that systematically expose you to the shipbuilding history of the city, conceptualisation of the Titanic to its tragedy and after-effects.
The museum also does a good job of exposing the various facets of the marine industry and how it fuelled Ireland’s economy. The attention to detail paid in the galleries will surely impress you, there are noises and even smells that aim to capture what the bowels and the cabins and the docks of the ship looked like. In some sections, a cool pseudo sea breeze blows through while the ceiling is dark and lit up by makeshift stars; it’s a truly inclusive experience.
On the flip side though, the entrance is very narrow and that results in a large line of people winding through the exhibits. Also, the tragedy of the ship is highly commercialised here and there is a lot of kitschy merchandise on sale that may seem insensitive to some.
The top floor of the museum has the biggest conference centre and reception space in Belfast… the gorgeous Titanic suite that can seat 750 people. A replica of the famous winding staircase shown in the movie Titanic stands in the conference centre. This is the same staircase that Jack a.k.a. Leonardo di Caprio came down dressed in a dinner suit in the iconic scene from the movie ‘Titanic’.
There are 9 interactive galleries and each of them has different themes.
Boomtown Belfast
The very first gallery is a dedication to Belfast and it reconstructs scenes from Belfast right from when Titanic was constructed from 1909 to 1911. All the city’s major industries are represented through exhibits and interactive screens.
Take a good look at the pair of original gates from Harland and Wolff shipyard and it leads into an interactive floor that presents the construction plans for Titanic when it was conceptualised. It’s rather thrilling to see the original drawings of the ship. Both this section as well as the next to have banging and hammering noises in the background depict how busy things were when multiple ships were built at the same time.
Shipyard
The fact that you can go around the shipyard in a mini six seat car is an enjoyable activity in itself especially for the young at heart. There is a 66 feet steel scaffold here that is a reference to Arroll Gantry that was built for the construction of the Olympic and Titanic. Incidentally, the gantry used for Titanic was 4 times higher than this. A lift takes visitors to the top of the gantry and atop there are displays of scenes of shipbuilding
Launch
The Titanic was launched at Belfast Lough and it was an event watched by 100,000 people. Scenes from the big launch that happened on 31st may 1911 are shown via screens, clippings and frames and it helps that this section overlooks the actual slipway from where Titanic was launched.
There is a window from where visitors can see the docks and slipways as they look now. The gold pocket watch of Lord Alexander Pirrie (chairman of Harland and Wolff) is on display at the Launch gallery. The original VIP ticket for the launch of the RMS titanic is also displayed in the launch gallery.
Fit-Out
This section is really interesting with a big model of Titanic that gives you an impression of how the ship looked to its passengers and staff. All 3 classes of cabins are demonstrated and there is a 360-degree computer-generated tour through all floors of the ship and the engine, dining rooms as well as bridge.
The Fit-out shows the life of Titanic from when she was launched until her demise in April 1912. This section has a rare ‘Olympic and Titanic’ promotional voucher on display as well as authentic White Star tableware. It is interesting to note the differences in tableware for each class of passengers; first-class used fine bone china, second class passengers used blue and white delft china while the third class had to use plain white tableware with the white star logo.
The Titanic Plan that’s also called the Holy Grail of Memorabilia’ is also on display here. This 33 feet wide Indian ink and colour-washed plan on display at Titanic Belfast was created by White Star’s Naval Architects Department after the ship sank to aid the Wreck Commissioners Court of Enquiry
Maiden Voyage
Titanic sailed from Belfast to Southampton and then to Cherbourg, Cobh and further westwards and sank in its maiden journey on the North Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can see the details of the journey including photographs shared by Father Francis who had journeyed on the Titanic from Southampton to Cobh.
There is a reconstructed wooden deck with benches that visitors can sit on while admiring the view of the harbour and dock. An original artefact ‘Dr Simpson’s letter’ is on display here and this narrates the doubt that the RMS titanic would never come back to port after it sailed. Incidentally, Dr Simpson who died when the ship sank was the ship’s assistant surgeon.
Another very interesting artefact displayed here is the ’last luncheon menu’ and this describes the menu of the first-class passengers on the day the ship met its nemesis iceberg. The very last letter to be written aboard the Titanic was written by Esther Hart and Eva Hart to Esther’s mother Chadwell Heath. The mother-daughter duo were survivors and the letter was sold at an auction for the gigantic sum of 119,000 Pounds.
Sinking
This is a rather heart-breaking section about the actual sinking of the Titanic. The background score of the Morse code SOS messages is played in this section while audios of survivors vividly detailing the sinking are interspersed in between. Distraught families, bewildered officials and the press all give their accounts of the tragedy and there is a poignant display of 400 life jackets over which the image of the sinking Titanic is projected.
Aftermath
The biggest exhibit here is a true to scale replica of a lifeboat that was used to evacuate passengers from the Titanic. On either side of the lifeboat is a row of exhibits that show the American and the British government enquiring into the disaster. The list of crews and passengers can be scrolled by visitors and there’s plenty of interestingly presented information about Harland and Wolff and the sister ships of Titanic.
Myths and Legends
Many books, plays, dramas and films were inspired by the Titanic and many myths are surrounding the ship. Celine Dion’s Snapshots of these cultural and artistic offshoots are presented via interactive screens for visitors to explore. ‘My Heart Will Go On’ keeps on playing in the background all the time and that may be irksome at times.
Titanic Beneath
This is about Titanic’s current position as she lies below the North Atlantic waters at an approximate depth of 3700 meters. Dr Ballard who discovered the Titanic wreck has worked on these installations too so his expeditions to discover the ship are detailed through footage, audio clips and pictures.
The floor is amazing; it’s made of glass and shows a fish’s eye view of the wreck. Incidentally, the Ocean Exploration Centre that is the biggest marine biology and Irish coast exploration centre is right below this floor. Ballard’s exploits all across the world are also highlighted.
Additional Activities
You can get professional photographs taken at the grand staircase near the conference hall and they make for nice mementoes of the visit. Priced at 10 euros though, they make for a pricey souvenir.
Afternoon tea is offered at the gorgeous Titanic suite (5th floor) beside the Grand staircase and is served every Sunday. There is a finger-licking menu of mini sandwiches, classic scones with fresh cream, sweets and savouries. Kids can pick from a curated children’s afternoon tea menu. The best part is that the crockery is White Star Line embossed and there is Luxury Thompson’s tea on offer. You can also try Prosecco or champagne to round off the meal as you listen to live jazz. The Afternoon tea session starts at 28.50 pounds per person.
There are special activities for kids and anybody over the age of 5 is sure to enjoy the museum. There are treasure hunts, quizzes and activities that get children certificates and gifts at the end.
There is a café inside that stocks fresh bakes and healthy food and coffee. There is also a gift shop that isn’t too expensive and it has good stock.
On the downside, direct access to the grand staircase is only allowed on Sundays and the grand staircase is kind of the icing on the cake.
The Titanic Belfast is completely wheelchair and stroller accessible!! The museum has lots of interactive screens and loads of information but when it is crowded the screens get difficult to access and this is when the audio guide (will have to pay extra for this) comes in handy!!
Open Hours
Titanic Belfast’s opening hours differ every month so check the exact specifications before you go, from the official website. These are the tentative time frames for each month…
From January to March and October to December the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with October weekends having extended timings 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From April to May, the Titanic Belfast is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June to August the museum is open from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. with July and August weekends having extended timings 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. In September the museum is open from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Usually, 11.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in peak hours and things can get exceptionally crowded. Arrive when the museum first opens to get the best viewing experience.
Tickets & Tours
Viator offers a combi ticket that includes a visit to the Titanic Belfast as well as S.S Nomadic. This ticket offers savings when you compare the individual entry prices to Titanic Belfast and S.S Nomadic. Travelling to and fro is at own expense and Snacks and drinks can be had at own expense from museum café.
This admission ticket includes 2 hour stop at the museum and a half an hour stop at S.S Nomadic. The Titanic Belfast experience operates on a timed entry model and the voucher you get on the purchase of this ticket should be exchanged for a timed entry ticket from the ticket desk on the ground floor of Titanic Belfast.
You can book this combi ticket from this Viator website page.
You can also book various other tours in Belfast that combine Titanic Museum with various other attractions through this Viator Website page.
You can also buy entry tickets to Titanic from the official Titanic Belfast website and they will cost 19 pounds per adult and 8.50 pounds per child (age 5 to 16). Children under age 5 get free entry.
Titanic Belfast offers a Discovery Tour that allows the discovery of the ship right from the time she was launched to different hidden aspects. The roughly hour-long tour is guided and priced at 9 pounds per adult and 7.50 pounds per child. Every person who purchases the tour is given headphones.
How to Reach
The instantly recognizable Belfast museum is at the heart of the Titanic Quarter, just 2.4 km away from the city centre. This is Queen’s Island that’s right at the entry point of Belfast Lough… an iconic piece of land that was snatched away from the waters in the 19th century.
You can easily drive to Titanic Belfast in 10 minutes from the George Best City airport though the International airport is half an hour’s drive away.
If you are coming by train then take the Translink train service from Belfast City centre and get down at Titanic Quarter station. Now, take the pedestrian access via the footbridge and then keep following the signage till you reach the museum… it is a 15-minute walk. You can also catch the metro (line 26, 26A, 26B, 26C) from outside the Belfast welcome centre and arrive at the Titanic Belfast. The Airport Express 600, 600 a, 600 b service Belfast City centre, Titanic Belfast and George Best Belfast City Airport.
Titanic Belfast Building
1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Titanic Quarter,
Phone+44 (0)28 9076 6386
Nearby Attractions
If you have got the Combi ticket for Titanic Belfast and the S.S. Nomadic (last white Star Line Vessel) then the latter will be your next stop. A short walk away is the HMS Caroline and the Dry Dock of Titanic; both of which are entertaining attractions in their own right.
Another related and prominent attraction is the Harland & Wolff HQ Building and Drawing Offices (built-in 1896) which is now used as the Titanic Hotel. This was the hub of all activities of Harland and Wolff for more than 100 years and the design and construction of white Star Olympic Class Liners like Titanic, Britannic and Olympic took place here. Incidentally, this is also a listed building of great architectural significance.
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.