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TITANIC: DESIGNED AND BUILT IN BELFAST
Saturday 1 March – Sunday 30 March 2008 Daily 10am-6pm (Sundays 12pm-6pm) W5 at Odyssey Adults £6.50, Children £4.50 & Family £19 For other ticket prices and information – 028 9046 7700 www.w5online.co.uk
Many cities and locations lay claim to a Titanic story but only one place can take credit for her legendary design, build and craftsmanship – Belfast.
This brand new exhibition takes a new approach to the well-documented tale of the ill-fated liner and looks at Titanic in a wider context. Much has been written about the tragedy that befell Titanic on her maiden voyage however little has been said about the Yard; Harland & Wolff and their design and incredible craftsmanship of vessels over the years.
This exhibition invites you to journey into the past through the photography of R.J. Welch the official photographer of Harland & Wolff. Through his camera lens we get an amazing glimpse of the scale of the Yard, the environment in which men worked and the variety of different crafts that led to the design and build of ships prior to Olympic 400 and Titanic 401.
The exhibition also looks at the ambition of Lord Pirrie and his management team to produce the largest ships in the World. The images show the increasing degrees of luxury and passenger comfort of the ships over this time.
In many ways the most striking aspect of this new exhibition is the sense it gives of Belfast’s industrial history and heritage. This is brought to life with three short film and audio clips starting with key historic elements, including the creation of Harland & Wolff and its links with the White Star Line; followed by a dramatised overview of the building, launch and fitting-out of Titanic. These stories are told through the experiences of Lord Pirrie, Chairman of Harland & Wolff and Artie Frost, a foreman fitter and a member of the nine-man Guarantee Group chosen to sail with the ship and finally the tragic events, first hand accounts and theories of the sinking.
The images and memories of Belfast’s golden age of shipbuilding add depth and context to the overall Titanic story and it is this collection of memories that has been the key to the ship’s eternal appeal for generations and will remain so for generations to come. The exhibition will also offer an interactive element where visitors can access information on the BBC Newsline’s new Titanic Journey website www.bbc.co.uk/titanic as well as the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum’s Titanic built in Belfast site www.titanicinbelfast.com
TITANIC TALKS
The Story of the Dive and Other Things! MIKE McKIMM Wednesday 26 March 2pm and 3.30pm Lecture Theatre, W5 at Odyssey Free with admission to W5
BBC NI Environmental correspondent, Mike McKimm, dived to the wreck of Titanic in a Russian submersible in August 2005 and placed a memorial plaque from Belfast City Council and Harland & Wolff on the bridge of Titanic.
This presentation will focus on that expedition where you can find out how the MIR subs and their crew prepared for the long journey to the bottom. Learn about how the MIR made its way down to Titanic and what the cramped and confined conditions were like for those inside the submersible. (Presentation will last approximately 45minutes followed by a question and answer session). You also have the opportunity to explore the wreck of Titanic by viewing BBC Newsline's exclusive footage shot from the MIR. www.bbc.co.uk/titanic
G. MICHAEL HARRIS Friday 28 March, 4.30pm Saturday 29 March, 3pm Lecture Theatre, W5 at Odyssey Free with admission to W5
G. Michael Harris is a world-renowned adventurer and explorer, leading multiple expeditions around the world, most notably his numerous treks to the wreck site of Titanic. Harris has spent the last 25 years cultivating his research, knowledge and exploration of Titanic. He is founder of RMS Titanic Inc. and led the largest expedition to the Titanic wreck site to date in August 2000 salvaging over 1,800 new artefacts and personally making more than 8 dives to the site, located at a depth of over 12,500 feet. In the summer of 2005 Mr Harris led a return expedition to Titanic with his 13 year-old son, Sebastian, who set the Guinness World Record as the Youngest Person to Dive to Titanic.
Come and hear first hand G Michael Harris’ adventures to the wreck of Titanic and see some of the hours of HD footage captured on his dives. Not to be missed! (Presentation will last approximately 45minutes followed by a question and answer session).
TITANIC BOAT TOURS
Saturday and Sunday 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 March 12.30pm and 2pm Donegall Quay Tickets - £10 adults, £8 concessions, £28 Family
Saturday 22 March – Saturday 29 March (daily) 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm Donegall Quay Tickets – Special festival price £6 each
The boat trip will take you from Donegall Quay to the actual place on Belfast Lough into which Titanic was launched in May 1911. On route, the shipyard can be viewed from the water and the history of Harland & Wolff retold. The tour encompasses the Hamilton Dock, Alexandra Dock and Thompson Dock.
The point where Titanic entered the water at 12.13pm on 31 May 1911 can still be seen, as the ends of the slipway remain visible. There will be opportunities to take photographs and ask questions…….truly a trip to remember.
TITANIC GHOST BOAT TOUR Saturday 22 March 7pm-9pm Donegall Quay Tickets - £10 Special 2 hour "Titanic Ghost Boat Tour" including wine and music.
Tickets on sale at Lagan Boat Company ticket office, Donegall Quay (facing the 'Big Fish').
Ticket office opens daily between 10am and 5pm on event days. Enquiries and information 028 9033 0844 or 07718 910 423
FROM FLAGSHIP TO FLOWERSHIP - RMS Titanic to HMS Buttercup Saturday 22 March - Saturday 29 March (daily) 11am-4pm M.V. ‘Confiance’, Lanyon Quay Free Admission – no ticket required The exhibition will take place aboard the M.V. ‘Confiance’ moored at Lanyon Quay (beside the Belfast Waterfront Hall). Thirty years after Titanic made history Winston Churchill ordered forty Flower Class Corvettes for the war effort. Before the war ended thirty were built in record time, another huge and historic accomplishment.
BUS TOURS OF QUEEN’S ISLAND
Saturday and Sunday 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 March Saturday 22 March – Saturday 29 March (daily) 11am & 2pm Leaving from Linenhall Library (tour lasts approximately 2 hours) Free Admission but ticket required - Available from the Belfast Welcome Centre
The Bus Tour begins from Belfast City Hall. En-route to the Titanic related areas on the former site of H&W, the experienced guide will set the Titanic story in the context of Belfast’s fascinating maritime history.
The main offices where Titanic was planned and designed still exists as does the slipway upon which she was constructed. The life and times of the workforce at the turn of the 20th Century will be recalled as the area is brought to life by your guide.
The final stop on the tour is the Thompson Dry Dock and Pump House which were built especially for the ‘Olympic Class’ liners. It is right and fitting that this area, so associated with that great 1900’s technological achievement that was Titanic, should now be under the guardianship of the Northern Ireland Science Park which caters for new and innovative ideas in the new Century.
The tour lasts approximately two hours and we suggest you have appropriate footwear and clothing. Please note this tour is not suitable for children under 7 years of age.
WALKING TOURS
THOMAS ANDREWS’ BELFAST Saturday 22 March – Saturday 29 March (daily) 2pm From Titanic Memorial, City Hall Grounds (tour lasts approximately 40 minutes) Free Admission but ticket required - Available from the Belfast Welcome Centre
This guided Edwardian walk about Belfast City centre takes you back to the turn of the last century with the opening of the City Hall in 1906. The City still retains the sights that would have been familiar to Thomas Andrews, designer of Titanic and the experienced guide brings this era to life with tales of the people and property of that elegant by-gone age.
There are, amongst other stops, the school Thomas attended, the Church he worshipped at and the gentleman’s Club of which he was a member. Allow yourself to be taken back to that elegant age by your very experienced guide.
TITANIC’S DOCK & PUMP-HOUSE Saturday 22 March – Saturday 29 March (daily) 2pm (tour lasts 1 hour) Thompson Dry Dock and Pump-House Tickets – £3.50 Adult, £3 Concessions (Students/OAP), £2.50 Children (Age 5-16), £10 Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children)
The Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House takes in Thompson Dry Dock and Pump House where the celebrated RMS Titanic had its final fit-out. A must see, The Pump-House is one of the few most significant remaining heritage buildings from the Titanic technology era. Take in a view of the dock and learn more about Belfast's maritime history.
The original part of the building was constructed in the 1880s to serve
the Alexandra Graving Dock. It was extended significantly to cater for the
massive new Thompson Graving Dock, which opened in 1911. Long and
rectangular, designed in late Victorian eclectic style, the building
featured the most advanced state-of-the-art engineering of its day. Its
hugely powerful pumping engines, housed deep in the building, could drain
a full dock of 23 millions gallons of water in 110 minutes. A series of
underground tunnels leading from near the pumps, could take workers
beneath both docks. The Pump-House, which still operates, is now, like the
Thompson Graving Dock, part of the Northern Ireland Science Park. * A bus to Titanic’s Dock is available from outside Linenhall Library, Wellington Place at 1.45pm with return journey at 3pm (Price: £1.80 return to be paid to the driver).
TITANIC INTERACTIVE TRAIL Daily throughout the year Available from the Belfast Welcome Centre £5 per person
Enliven your
visit to Belfast with Awakin’s new self-guided multimedia walking tour,
‘The Titanic Trail’.
The Node Explorer, uses a combination of the latest computer technology, still images, video footage, dramatic reconstructions, text and audio clips to take users on a trip through time.
The Tour is taken at your own leisure and will probably take about 1 ½ hours although you can take longer if your schedule suits.
For further information on the Node™ Explorer contact info@awakin.com
Belfast Titanic Society display Monday 24 March, 11am-5pm Titanic’s Drawing Office
The Belfast Titanic Society, courtesy of Titanic Quarter Ltd, will be hosting a day in the Drawing Office in the old Main H&W Building on Queens Road, Belfast. This building is not usually open to the public so take the opportunity to visit the room where Titanic’s plans were drawn up. There will be a Titanic display and members of the Society will be there to answer questions.
BELFAST TITANIC CONVENTION Thursday 27 – Saturday 29 March Titanic Quarter Delegate rates apply
The
Belfast Titanic Convention is dedicated to all things Titanic and maritime
and will illustrate the important role Belfast played in the Titanic story
as well as promoting the city’s uniqueness, natural beauty and attraction.
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Please note: Many of the sites used during the festival are industrial by nature. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for outdoor weather.
Ticket information and accommodation hotline contact the Belfast Welcome Centre: Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 6609 Email: info@belfastvisitor.com Website: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/titanicfestival or call into Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Place
* This information is correct at the time of going to print. Belfast City Council cannot be held responsible or liable for any amendments, changes or cancellations to the programme.
Thank you to W5 at Odyssey, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, National Museums Northern Ireland, Belfast Titanic Society, Harland & Wolff, Titanic Quarter Limited, NI Science Park, BBC NI and Lagan Legacy.
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