Eternal Refuge

As I said, there were some other murals - and here are some






















One of the places we were told to visit was The Crown Bar ... but no, I didn't get anything as it was a very hot day, and quite airless in there!










The Big Fish - and yes, I did kiss it, as it's meant to make you cleverer



And, again on the last day, I went to C.S. Lewis square, celebrating a local author - C S Lewis ... I have read the book The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe as a kid, and I so need to re-read













On one of the roundabouts -

Well, whether or not you have been to Ireland, or even know where Belfast is, at least you will know about The Titanic

Like most people I know parts of the story, and have seen some of the films (my favourite of which is A Night to Remember . Another thing that fits in with my family history is that my Grandma returned to England (with her Mother, Brother & Sister) about 1900. They travelled as steerage, and apparently there were 2 boats travelling together. One had people, one had the luggage. The first night out they all went to bed, to wake up in the morning to find that the 2nd ship had struck an iceberg and sunk.

Anyway, Titanic was built by Harland & Wolff, and there is now a large museum. Most of which was discussing the purchase of the area by H&W, the building process of the boat (s) ... it was well done.




The ticket belonging to one of the secretaries









There was a "ride" through the production works

Gates to the works

Looking out of the windows down to the "dry dock" of Titanic

Launch time & date



A mock-up of first class

A mock-up of second class



The keys, from the locked binocular storage area.

I did a close up of thei section of the names as I have the picture below hanging on my lounge wall.  Francis Millet was travelling over with his "friend" who also died in the disaster.




One of the recovered sun-loungers

One of the life jackets, found on an unidentified gentleman.

 The violin from the leader of the musicians.


And, as a final exhibit, we all got the chance to be Kate Winslett


Near the exhibition is The SS Nomadic which was used as a tender for the Titanic, was used during both world wars, and only was eventually retired in 2006.



First class

Second class



Mr Millet was one of the men who transferred this way ... there were lists and photos of assorted celebrities both for that trip, as well as later ones.


Another boat that was moored there was






H&W Drawing Offices - now a hotel

On the first day I was in Belfast I used the "Hop On Hop Off" bus, and got off at The Botanic Gardens ... lovely.  On the edge of the gardens was the Ulster Museum.  I will admit it wasn't a great lay-out (from my point of view) as I seemed to see a few things more than once, and missed other things completely ... oh well, here's a taster -



















17th Century Bronze Temple Bells

Bomb disposal robot - 1972


Champion Irish Wolfhound - Patrick of Ifold, died aged 8 (I had a friend who used to own 2 of them, so it was a nice memory of Seamus & Siannie



Harp, 1785







Wine urn 1790

Shrine of St Patrick's hand, 1185

A flapper dress

Silver & gold plate teapot, 1991

On Saturday morning I walked into the city and went to these 3 Churches.

The first set of photos are from St Anne's Cathedral ... it is of the Church of Ireland. This building was built around a previous building to make it bigger. It never had the steeple added, but then this century it was decided the foundations would not cope, so the simple "Spire of Hope" was added




































I also visited St George's Church















This chair was sat on by King William III at a service pre The Battle of The Boyne



And the final stop was at First Presbyterian Church, the oldest church existing in Belfast, finished in 1781











Sorry - lots of photos ... I won't post as many, next time.