Over the years I have traveled to Belfast numerous times. But always for work. I only ever see the airport, the journey to the office, the office and back again. On this occasion I decided to see a little bit more. I had just over twenty-four hours so went fo the bus tour and the Titanic museum. Both were fascinating.

I had hoped to see Belfast from the upstairs of an open top bus. But it was not to be as it was raining. This in itself was a bit of a shock as I had left England in a heat wave. But we (I was with 3 colleagues) still got a good feel as to what Belfast is all about. From the grandeur of Stormont to the fortified police stations and the peace walls. The latter being a stark reminder of ‘the troubles’. I was astounded that the gates in the peace walls are open during the day but closed at night. Not good if you don’t plan your journey accordingly. What is really amazing are the numerous murals, mainly depicting the religious and political divisions in the country. And they are all graffiti free which, to me, demonstrates a level of respect for differing views. I’m fairly sure that their fate would

be very different in London.

The evening was spent celebrating the retirement of a much loved colleague in the most bombed hotel in the world, The Europa.

The next morning a short bus ride took us to the impressive Titanic Museum. A place I have wanted to visit since it opened in 2012. The anniversary of the sinking. It didn’t disappoint. As my friend stated it ‘has something for everyone’. It starts with the history of Belfast and the growth of its ship building industry. To the building of the Titanic. Demonstrated with a ‘ride’ through the gantry (the structure that enclosed the Titanic as it was being built). It was a precarious job working on the gantry with no safety equipment. But apparently only 8 men fell to their death. More deaths had been predicted. But if you managed to survive chances are you would end up deaf due to the continuous noise of the rivets being hammered into the steel sheets.

The social divisions that existed are well demonstrated with the opulence of the state rooms and the more basic accommodation of the second and third class passengers. All classes were segregated even on the tender boats. If you have seen the film as mainly times as I have (my daughter watched it what felt like continuously when she was young) you will be well aware of this.

The sinking of the Titanic is most poignant with transcripts of the calls for assistance and the witness accounts. Finally, the discovery of the ship wreck.

I was heartened to see Eva Hart included in the exhibition. Eva was seven when she survived the sinking. She lived for most of her life in my home town. After her death at 91 a pub was named after her. I’ve had many a cold Efes in that pub.  And of course I bought the book.

100,000 watched the launch of the Titanic on April 2nd 1912. It was a huge deal. It had provided work for thousands. Hundreds boarded seeking a better life in America. 13 days later it sunk. You can’t help but be touched by the way the museum portrays the tragedy. Well worth a visit.