This museum opened in early 2012 and is the world’s most comprehensive collection and galleries of everything relating to this once great ship. Galleries focus on pre Titanic industry in Belfast, designing the ship, building it, sailing, the great disaster upon hitting the iceberg, survivors and the aftermath. A short physical ride takes you through what the ship looked like during it’s construction with narration from “workers” on various parts of the ship.
A wonderful film showing closeup footage of the wreck plays in a larger theatre. Your visit culminates with a stop in a gallery that focuses on exploration of the deep oceans. Wifi is included throughout the museum.
The museum is not the only attraction in this part of Belfast; the Titanic Quarter contains a number of attractions relating to ship building and the Titanic in particular. The nearby (1-2 minute walk) SS Nomadic has been completely remodeled and is open to the public (small admission charged). This is the only remaining White Star Line steamship in existence – this ship was originally built to ferry passengers, mail and other supplies to the RMS Titanic and the RMS Olympic.
In addition the Titanic Quarter contains the offices where the engineering and drawing were done for the Titanic, the Slipways where this ship was built and launched and the Dock and Pump House (built specifically for the Titanic and ships of similar size).
It is very interesting to note that the builders of the RMS Titanic, Harland and Wolff are still in business today. From nearby the museum you can see their massive yellow cranes towering overhead in the distance. They no longer focus on building giant ships but rather have branched of into building bridges and renewable energy projects.
For more information visit: www.titanicbelfast.com or www.titanic-quarter.com
Excellent article, Dave. We enjoyed it a lot along with your photos which are fantastic. We took a Cunard Queen Mary2 cruise leaving Brooklyn on January 3 which docked in Southampton. There we weren’t able to see the pier as we did in the past where the Titanic left on April 10, 1912 before heading to New York because it’s not open to the public anymore.
However, we did stop for a pint of beer at ‘THE GRAPES PUB,’ where the Slade Brothers famously missed the ship. Also, we spent hours at the ‘Sea City Museum’ which tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with the Titanic and the sea. We hope to travel to Ireland in the next two years. So, after reading your article a visit to the Belfast RMS Titanic Museum, will be at the top of our list. Thanks for the info, Dave.
M&G
NYC
Thanks Michael – appropriate timing as I’m off to Ireland again next week! This time down to Cork and the Muckross House in Ireland’s first national park.
Have a safe, comfortable & hassle free flight – also, a wonderful & fun trip, Dave.
M&G