Overview
Great way to spend the day in Belfast.
The city of Belfast was a great Victorian success story, an industrial boomtown whose prosperity was built on trade – especially linen and shipbuilding. In fact, the Titanic was built here and 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the ill-fated ship. For many years during the past three decades, news about Belfast meant news about The Troubles, but in 1994 a ceasefire brought peace to the city. Today, it is one of the most vibrant cities on the island of Ireland. Belfast has benefitted for major investments, many associated with the tourist industry, so the city has plenty to offer from excellent hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. Magnificent Victorian structures still line the streets of the city center, but you will also see some very trendy establishments mixed in.
To the west of the city, you will see some physical scars of the Troubles, from the peace line that divides Catholic and Protestant West Belfast to the murals on every gable wall – this is a fascinating part of the city where you come to understand why the Troubles began in the first place.
Other sites worth visiting are the newly opened Titanic Centre, City Hall and Ulster Museum which dominates the city center. It was from a platform outside City Hall that President Bill Clinton made an emotional address to the people of Northern Ireland during his historic 1995 visit. The City Hall was designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas and was built from Portland stone from 1898 to 1906 and today is the home of Belfast City Council.
The Ulster Museum has just reopened following a 3 year UK Sterling 17 million redevelopment project. Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an Egyptian Mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum. As Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and present, the museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences and free to all visitors. From Ireland to the South Pacific, ancient relics to hands-on activities, the museum offers something for everyone from the simply curious to the enthusiast.
- Admission fees for some of the sites mentioned are as follows, per person: Titanic Centre €25 Giant's Causeway €15, Bushmills Distillery €11, Castleward €6.50, Mount Stewart Gardens €6.5, and Ulster Folk & Transport Museum €13.
- The price of this tour does not include admissions, lunch or gratuity. If you would like to stop for lunch ask your driver for a recommendation.
- Please note that your driver cannot enter sites with you. If you wish to be escorted by a professional guide inside places of interest, you must purchase the tour guide/escort option.
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If your ship does not make port, this tour will be non-refundable. Please take out travel insurance to cover this rare occurrence. This is an exception to the normal ShoreTrips Terms of Service. This tour will NOT be refundable in cases in which conditions make it impossible for the ship to dock and disembark passengers in a timely manner. Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 08:00 AM, duration: 8 hours Duration is approximate.
