A Discovery Exclusive: Titanic & Crumlin Road Gaol

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

A panoramic drive through beautiful Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, begins this adventure-filled full-day tour that introduces you to the city's captivating history and maritime traditions. Originally named "Beal Feirste" – Gaelic for "mouth of the sandy fjord" – Belfast was founded in the 17th century and prospered in the industrial age, becoming famous for its shipyards and linens. The city has seen decades of political strife but has rebounded and now boasts a vibrant waterfront district and lively pub scene. Your narrated driving tour takes you past a host of popular sights. See the stately Grand Opera House, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower and the Queen's University. A photo stop will be made at City Hall, an ornate building completed in 1906, surrounded by a square that is home to a statue of Queen Victoria and the marble figure of the Thane, the Titanic Memorial. Your drive will take you to the Protestant Shankill Road and the Catholic Falls Road, two conflicting neighborhoods separated by a Peace Wall, where a series of brightly painted political murals are located. A short stop will be made here for you to view this poignant artwork.

Continue on to one of the main events of the day, a visit to the Victorian-era Crumlin Road Gaol, which first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 and was a fully operational prison for 150 years. Walk the halls of this historic building, now fully renovated, on a guided tour and step back into its eerie past, even entering the cells that housed prisoners of old. The spine-tingling adventure continues when you sit down to lunch in this foreboding environment – one of the most unusual meals you'll have ever had, to be sure!

Leaving the Crumlin Road Gaol behind, continue on to visit the birthplace of the Titanic.

The tale of the ill-fated Titanic unfolds at the former shipyard of Harland and Wolff, which has been converted into a striking, ultra-modern exhibit space for Titanic Belfast®. Your tour (with audio-guides) will take a fascinating look into the construction and launch of the "unsinkable" ship and the history of the city that proudly built her.

The Titanic, nicknamed the "millionaire's special" for its opulence and luxury, set sail on April 2, 1912, amidst fanfare and excitement. Most of Belfast came out to watch it sail into the horizon, never imagining that just days later, approximately 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, the 882-foot-long ship would collide with an iceberg.

Step inside the state-of-the art 118,400-square-foot building and explore the nine galleries on six floors. You'll have the opportunity to experience the superb craftsmanship of Titanic's interiors and the drama of its last moments at sea.

At the completion of your tour if time permits, take in the breathtaking views that overlook the slipways where the Titanic was launched and browse the gift shops for mementos.

Return to port on a scenic drive and chat with your fellow travelers about the history and maritime heritage you experienced on this fascinating day.

Special Notes:

Two parts of the Crumlin Road Gaol tour are not fully wheelchair accessible – the tunnel and the drop cell. Due to the building being a Grade A listed building, they are unable to put lifts in these areas. There is a screen just outside the entrance to the tunnel that shows those guests unable to enter the tunnel what it is like inside and what is pointed out by the guide within the tunnel. The execution cell is accessible; however, the tour continues from there down the stairs to the drop cell, and this part is inaccessible for wheelchair users due to the steps. These guests can remain at the execution cell, and the tour will rejoin them within a few minutes at which time the guide will explain the drop cell to the entire group. This tour involves around one hour of walking, which includes steps. Flat, comfortable shoes are advised. Passengers will be entering the underground tunnel on this tour. The tour of Titanic Belfast will be guided with use of audio-guides. There is only 40 people permitted per time slot due to health and safety reasons at the gaol. We have two timeslots booked at Crumlin Road Gaol meaning the max is 80 guests.