Belfast
Belfast
The Titanic
The Troubles
Titanic Belfast
Overview: The name Belfast originated from the Gaelic Beal Feirste, which
means "mouth of the river." The city serves as the capital of Northern Ireland
and is the second largest city on the island of Ireland. Belfast has been an
important industrial center for Ireland, playing a large role in the industrial
revolution. It became the leading producer of linen, earning itself the
nickname Linenopolis. Other important industries include rope-making,
tobacco, heavy engineering, and shipbuilding. The Harland Wolff shipyard
was known worldwide for the ships they built, most famously the RMS
Titanic, built between 1909 and 1911. The city currently has a population of
267,500 people, while the entire metropolitan area has over 640,000
residents.
History: The city of Belfast started as a castle built in 1177. Shortly after
1609, Sir Arthur Chichester rebuilt the castle and in its shadow, a small town
developed, bustling with trade. Industries began to develop including linen
weaving, brewing, rope making, and sail making and soon the town had its
own piped water supply.
The 18th and 19th centuries were a period of growth as the community grew
to approximately 20,000 people and new buildings and a shipyard were
created to accommodate the now booming shipbuilding industry. Belfast
gained city status in 1888 and became the capital of Northern Ireland in
1921, following the division of Ireland into the Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland, with Northern Ireland remaining under English rule. In
1911 the Titanic was completed in Belfast and in 1912 it set sail on its final,
famous voyage across the Atlantic.
The 20th century is perhaps best known for the conflict between the 1960s
and 1998 known as "The Troubles". Northern Ireland was nearly two-thirds
Protestant and one-third Catholic. The Catholic minority suffered under laws
that favored Protestants, economic disadvantages, and discrimination. This
conflict divided the city of Belfast and all of Northern Ireland during the
latter half of the century. Finally, in the late 1990s, conditions began to
improve, with a move toward peace and economic and political stability once
again.
Places of Interest in Belfast:
The Titanic Belfast is a visitor center that tells the entire story of the Titanic.
The Grand Opera House is Northern Ireland's premier theatre.
The Metropolitan Arts Center is a brand new arts centre located in Belfast
with two theaters, three art galleries, a rehearsal space, dance studio, three
education and workshop rooms, and a cafe.
The Ulster Museum contains collections of art, history, and the natural
sciences. Admission is free to all visitors!
Located inside the Botanic Gardens, Belfast’s Palm House contains many
species of plants, including many that are very rare and old. The Palm House
was built in 1839-1840 and the 49-foot-high elliptical dome was added in
1852.
The Clonard Monastery, the Roman Catholic Church of the Most Holy
Redeemer was completed in 1911.
Clonard Monastery
Brush and Kinney