Titanic and Game of Thrones

Titanic

Titanic Belfast, located at the heart of Titanic Quarter - only a short walk from Belfast’s city centre, is not only an architectural triumph for the city, but it houses the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.

The iconic six-floor building, featuring nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her, is an unmissable experience which brings history to life in an unforgettable way.

Titanic Belfast, named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards, 2016, is located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland and Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.

Titanic Belfast tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to its maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

The self-guided Titanic Experience extends over nine interpretive and interactive galleries, which explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her.

On entering, visitors can step back in time learn about the thriving industries and exciting design innovations that led to the creation of RMS Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship in the world. Pass through the original Harland & Wolff gates to continue the journey to the Shipyard and the dark ride that uses special effects, animations and full-scale reconstructions to recreate the reality of shipbuilding in the early 1900s.

There’s not much time to catch your breath, as you’re greeted with a panoramic eagle’s eye view of the actual slipways on which both the Titanic and the Olympic once rested as well as experience the excitement of launch day in 1911. Then it’s all aboard to experience an eclectic range of exhibits, models, interactive data s and elaborate computer generated imagery which illustrate the ship’s opulent fit-out including exact replicas of the cabins, and journeys through the dining areas, the ship’s engine rooms, working interiors and deck promenade, where visitors can see and hear the oceans and feel the engines rumbling.

Guests then move on to paying tribute to the loss of this magnificent ship and the 1,500 men, women and children who lost their lives on her tragic maiden voyage, experience the aftermath, the inquiries and the sensational news reports of the time. The story is then brought up to the present with the discovery of the wreck and into the future with live s to contemporary undersea exploration.

Complete your Titanic Experience with a visit to the world’s last remaining White Star vessel and RMS Titanic’s original tender ship – SS Nomadic. Walk the decks, explore the ship, and take journey through over 100 years of authentic maritime and social history.

Guests can also take in the buzz of Titanic Belfast’s grand atrium by relaxing in The Galley Café or Bistro 401, enjoying a range of speciality teas, luxury coffees and local delicacies featuring the very best of local Northern Irish produce and inspired by RMS Titanic. Souvenirs can be picked up at the Titanic Store, before taking a walk down the historic slipways where Titanic and her sister ship Olympic were built and first launched into the water, exploring the life-size outlines of the ships ded in the ground and illuminated at night by blue light, or have a seat at one of the benches positioned exactly as they would have been on board the deck of Titanic.

So whether you come for the architecture, the history and heritage or the unique visitor experience, by bus, bike, walking, segway or tram tour, a stop off at Titanic Belfast is a highly recommended highlight of any trip to Belfast.

The Giants Causeway

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant's Causeway is a magnificent, mysterious geological formation on the North East coast of County Antrim. It's steeped in myths and legend. The setting is a spectacular, dynamic coastal landscape of Atlantic waves, rugged cliffs, fascinating geographical antiquity, secluded bays and magnificent views.

The Causeway forms a jagged headland of neatly packed columns which point towards Scotland. Visitors can walk along the basalt columns which are at the edge of the sea, just over 1km from the entrance to the site.

The Dark Hedges

This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House.

Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. In fact, the iconic trees have been used as a filming location in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones, representing the King's Road.

Just a stone’s throw from the trees themselves you’ll find the Dark Hedges Estate with 3 bars, 2 restaurants, 16-bed hotel with Hair and Beauty studio, Gracehill House - the original Georgian mansion and an 18 hole golf course.

Find out about other Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Northern Ireland on www.discovernorthernireland.com/gameofthrones/

The Dark Hedges have been included in a list of the 12 best road trips in the UK and Ireland, compiled by the website www.continentalroadtrip.com.

The Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is one of the most popular and successful fantasy TV series ever made. They have filmed in Titanic Studios, Belfast and across various locations throughout Northern Ireland including the Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay, Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane, Antrim plateau, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey and Downhill Strand.

The Game of Thrones itinerary not only brings to life the drama of the series, but also provides a front row seat at locations steeped in local myth and legend, where ancient warriors walked long before leading men. Our rugged coast lines, historic castles and breathtaking scenery are the perfect setting for this epic story.