Belfast

Thursday: From Coastal Cliffs to Belfast Bites Link to heading

Thursday began back at Salmon Rock Beach for one last quiet moment before the day’s journey. From there, I took a scenic walk to the Giant’s Causeway. The strange, interlocking stones were impressive, but the crowds took away from the magic. Heading back, I chose the cliff-top path, which offered sweeping views and far fewer people.

Afterward, I drove along the coast, soaking in the landscape with each turn. My original plan included one more stop, but it turned out to be on private property. So, I pressed on and found myself stopping in Glenarm for lunch, where I tried lobster for the first time. The flavor was great, though it turned into quite the battle with the shell!

Once in Belfast, I took a quick break before venturing out to the Common Market for dinner. The lively atmosphere, tasty food stalls, and a couple of pints were the perfect way to wrap up the day and welcome Belfast’s vibe.

Friday: Diving into Belfast’s Titanic Legacy Link to heading

Friday started with a visit to the Titanic Experience, where I got a close-up look at the construction of this massive ship and the workers behind it. One part stuck with me: a quote from a shipyard worker that said, “They just builds ’em and shoves ’em in!” It was such a raw, down-to-earth way of showing the grit of Belfast’s workforce. The people here were masters of shipbuilding, and with Titanic, they set out to create something truly monumental.

The exhibit detailed the entire process, from the blueprint phase to her assembly. Harland and Wolff, the shipbuilders, used over 3 million rivets to put Titanic together, a mind-boggling feat when you imagine each one had to be hammered in by hand. Standing in the gallery, I saw how the ship’s double-bottomed hull was reinforced to make her “unsinkable,” a design innovation for her time. She had four towering smokestacks—though only three were functional, with the fourth added purely for aesthetic grandeur.

After the exhibit, I grabbed some lunch and then visited the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel, which once ferried passengers to the Titanic herself. It felt surreal stepping on board a piece of Titanic history that still exists today.

On my way back, I wandered through St. George’s Market, browsing local crafts and fresh produce, and took a loop around Belfast City Hall. That evening, I returned to the Common Market for some food and a pint—Belfast’s lively energy making for a great end to a day steeped in history.