Pursuit of Happy Travel

The land mass that we call Ireland is comprised of two separate countries; Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland is an independent country and is part of the EU, while Northern Ireland is a member of the UK. Some key differences to note when going between the two is the currency (Ireland uses the Euro, Northern Ireland used the British Pound), and the accent. While Dubliners have a pretty heavy accent, Northern Irelanders have much more Scottish heritage and therefore have a much thicker, Scottish influenced accent.

Getting To Belfast

Ireland as an island is pretty small, so it’s fairly easy to get to the more populated cities in a timely manner. I’ve heard many people say that renting a car in Ireland is the way to go, and after taking only public transportation, I tend to agree, but that’s a topic for another time. Driving from Dublin to Belfast should only take about two hours, but if driving on the left side of the road freaks you out, there’s a train, and it only takes a little bit longer than driving. I’m sure you can also take a bus, but let’s be honest, trains are much more comfortable.

Things To Do

Belfast feels quite different from other Irish cities, much more modern, but there are still some old gems hiding around the corners. Some of the modernism offers its own interest though! I have compiled a list of the best things to do with your day in the capital of Northern Ireland.

Titanic Museum

Ok, usually I’m not a museum person, but wow, the Belfast Titanic museum is spectacular!! You may think, what’s so spectacular about a museum dedicated to a horrible tragedy? My answer is yes, the museum can be a little somber, but its also so informative and interactive! There’s literally a ride inside! First off, the architecture of the building is amazing, and I don’t say that about many modern style buildings. The shape is pretty unique, and looks like it has a couple ship bows jetting out of it. One of the coolest parts of the museum though is the location. The site is the former dock where the Titanic and its sister ships were built. The museum has a plaque and giant windows that look out onto the dock, and seeing the dock really put the size of this ship into perspective. The Titanic was tiny compared to modern cruise ships! But it was obviously very advanced for its time. This multistory museum takes you through history starting with when the Unsinkable Ship was just an idea, and obviously ending with remembrance of those who lost their lives and those who miraculously survived. One of my favorite parts of this museum was the holograms that told about life on the ship and the models of what actual rooms would have looked like. In the model of the first class room, there’s a hologram of a wealthy woman talking to a member of the crew and they give a great insight into high class life out on sea. You could spend a couple hours at this museum for sure, there’s just so much to see and take in! This museum is an absolute must for any trip to Belfast.

While you’re at the museum, don’t miss the opportunity to tour one of the Titanic’s sister ships, the S.S. Nomadic, which is docked right in front of the museum. This ship is quite a bit smaller than the Titanic, but it gives a realistic representation of the standards these ships were built to. It is also the only remaining ship from the White Star Line.

Belfast Cathedral

Belfast Cathedral, or the Cathedral of St. Anne, is unlike most cathedrals in Europe, because its Protestant instead of Catholic. While the most famous churches in Ireland are Catholic, Northern Ireland sides with the Protestant faith due to its inclusion in the United Kingdom. Because of its link to the UK, when the Queen came to Northern Ireland, this is the church she attended. They even have her pew set aside, so you can sit in the queen’s seat if you feel compelled. This cathedral also has many nods to the Titanic, including a memorial. A very nice volunteer was walking me around the cathedral and telling me about all of the special features. He also showed me books with the names of irishmen that served in the world wars. If you have family members who lived in Ireland during the war, you have a decent chance of finding them in one of the books!

Albert Memorial Clock

The Big Ben of Ireland. I don’t know if that’s the actual nickname for the Albert memorial clock, but it should be. It has some similarities to the Elizabeth tower, but is much smaller and stands alone. This is a quick stop on your Belfast day trip, but I still think it’s cool to see.

City Hall

Like most cities, Belfast made sure their main municipal building stood out. Opened in the early 1900s, this domed beauty showed the rest of the UK that Belfast was a city to be taken seriously. City hall is still in use and is open everyday, minus bank holidays and when civic events are taking place. Guided tours are offered everyday for those who would like to see the building in more detail, or there is a visitor exhibition that is self guided and will take you through the city’s history. Besides the building itself, city hall has beautiful grounds that commemorate key pieces of Belfast, like the Titanic (this city is really invested in the Titanic) and World War I.

Grand Opera House

There’s something about opera architecture that excites me, I think it’s because when I think of the opera, I think of white gloves and tuxedos, and the architecture always mimics the prestige. From what I’ve seen of European opera houses, ornate detail and grandeur are the standards. I mean, but what do you expect? They’re not going to hold high class events in a poorly designed hovel, that would be preposterous! This theater dates back to the late 1800s, and hosts performances frequently. These days, its less opera and more musicals, but if musicals are your thing, you can check the schedule to see what’s playing. This theater also offers a special treat for the theater obsessed; you can take a guided tour through the opera house and go behind the scenes. The tour is about an hour in duration and is fairly cheap (around 12 pounds at the current time). These tours only take place a couple times a month though, so definitely check the schedule.

Hopefully your day in Belfast will be a little drier and brighter than mine was, but I’m confident you’ll have a great time either way! If you want more day trip ideas from Dublin, I’ll be writing soon about some of my favorites, so check back in a little bit!

Happy travels!

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