What is Titanic Belfast?
Titanic Belfast is a museum located on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. It tells the story of the Titanic - how it was designed and built at H&W before setting sail for New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh in 1912, after which it hit an iceberg and sank during its maiden voyage. An estimated 2224 passengers and crew were onboard, of which 1500 are thought to have perished.
What is Titanic Belfast like?
Before I went, I struggled with it a bit - is it OK to have a big tourist attraction dedicated to a disaster that killed 1500 people? But it's very respectfully done: the first section is about Belfast's maritime history and the Harland & Wolff shipyards that employed so many people. And there's a very interesting section on the inquiries that took place after the tragedy. Reading some of the transcripts of survivors was very moving and on balance it's right that the people who lost their lives unnecessarily (for host of reasons) are remembered.
Where is Titanic Belfast?
In the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.
When did we go?
March 2025
How did we get there?
We flew to Belfast City Airport, which is not far from the Titanic Quarter. We stayed overnight and did a tour of Belfast as well.
Worth noting:
There are some really informative sections in the museum. There's a simple but effective visual section that takes you up through the various decks of the Titanic. I was also really moved by a lifejacket on display - it's not known who wore it or what happened to them but seeing such a very basic object and thinking of all those people whose lives were saved or lost that night was very moving indeed.
What was Titanic Belfast's place in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?
It was at 424 in 2015. It went up 26 places.
Does Titanic Belfast deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?
Probably - the building is beautiful and the story is respectful to all who helped to build the Titanic and all those who died when it sank.
