I have posted this mural before but it is worth looking at again.
Photo: Inside Ireland.ie
Donegall Road Mural
Photo: Inside Ireland.ie
Tag Archives: Belfast
Photo: Inside Ireland.ie
Belfast Titanic Memorial
Photo:Public Domain
Irish Independent: Titanic Belfast Is “Captivating and Moving”
Image:Prioryman (Wikipedia)
Madeline Keane, writing for the Irish Independent travel section, had this to say about Titanic Belfast:
From your first view of it, designed to look like the famous prow – in the shadow of the great Harland and Wolff shipyard, framed by the massive twin yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath – Titanic Belfast is captivating and moving. Brilliant 3D visuals bring you from the bowels of the boat through the bow to the bridge – we both felt slightly seasick. And there’s a magnetic journey to the ocean floor in the company of oceanographer and former US Navy officer, Professor Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck in 1973. He’ll deliver a lecture there on March 20. And yet, for all the fantastic touch screen galleries, faithfully recreated state rooms and exceptional archive material, ultimately it is the human tales of courage and cowardice which break your heart.
She also notes if you are planning a visit to Titanic Belfast, book ahead of time because thousands are showing up to see it.
Source: Titanic Odyssey Records Tragedy That Still Haunts(16 Mar 2014, Irish Independent)
From Dumb Idea File: Rave Party On Nomadic
You have to wonder who thought this was a good idea. The people running SS Nomadic, the former tender for White Star line that ferried passengers to that ship in 1912, were going to have a “Bring Your Own Alcohol Beatnomadic” club night. The tender is the last surviving ship of the White Star Line, over 100 years old, and cost more than £7 million to restore. When word got out via social media that this event was going to take place, it sparked outrage. The Belfast Telegraph reported that several members of the Nomadic Charitable Trust threatened to resign. Additionally the volunteer group Nomadic Preservation Society (who helped raise money to restore and purchase artifacts for the ship), received phone calls inquiring how such a party would do to the old ship.
The rave was cancelled due to public outcry. And the person or persons who thought it was a good idea ought to get the sack. It would be one thing if they have a tasteful event (like a small party for donors etc) but rave parties are known to be loud, brash, and full of people dancing and drinking away. Hardly a fitting place for that sort of thing. Did they not realize such a party would enrage the Titanic community? Whatever passes for brains in those associated with this dumb decision ought to have their heads examined for possible brain injury.
Source: Storm Of Protest Sinks Plan To Hold Rave Nights Aboard Titanic’s Little Sister, SS Nomadic(4 Feb 2014, Belfast Telegraph)
Titanic News for 2 Dec 2013
Here are some news stories that close out November.
1. Woman Shares Family’s Titanic Tale With Tenth Street Students(30 Nov 2013,Times Leader)
Students in fourth grade at the Tenth Street Elementary School were treated to a guest speaker recently. The students learned about the events of the sinking of the Titanic from Mae Thomas.Thomas, a child of a Titanic survivor, shared her mother and infant brother’s survival story aboard the Titanic, along with many other stories.
2. Belfast’s Odyssey Gets Go-Ahead For Extension That Could Create 1,000 Jobs(29 Nov 2013,Belfast Telegraph)
Odyssey Trust’s plans to build next to the existing Odyssey Arena and Pavilion come just weeks after Belfast Harbour won planning permission for an office development at City Quays. With an application lodged by Titanic Quarter Ltd for yet another development, the entire Belfast Harbour area is set for a major growth spurt. The scheme has space for nearly 800 apartments, two hotels, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and “community and cultural use” space, according to planners Turley Associates, which acts for Odyssey Trust.
3. Tracing a Precious Relic of the Titanic(28 Nov 2013,New York Times)
A hundred years later, the solid gold Waltham pocket watch, purchased in 1907 and engraved with the initials J.J.A., has become an object of controversy. John Miottel, a collector in California, says he bought it 15 years ago. But in March an heir of the Astor family announced that he owned a watch carried by John Jacob Astor IV at the time of his death, according to reports published in The New York Post, The Daily Mail of London and elsewhere. Mr. Miottel, a real estate investor in Northern California who collects luxury ocean-liner memorabilia, said in a phone interview that he bought the Astor watch “in 1997 in a small auction house in Asheville, North Carolina, around the 85th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking when all the Titanic fans were celebrating aboard the Queen Mary in California.” “The ironic thing is that almost nobody, including the Astor Foundation, knew about this watch at the time,” added Mr. Miottel, who owns two other Titanic-related watches. “There would have been a lot more bidders if they had.”
Titanic News For 29 Oct 2013
1. Titanic Pigeon Forge will be hosting a fireworks display on Thanksgiving Day (28 Nov 2013) at 7:30 p.m. to kick off the holiday season.“It will be the largest fireworks event of the year on the Smoky Mountain Parkway, and we look forward to celebrating a joyful evening with our community friends and neighbors.” announces John Joslyn, expedition leader of the first private exploration dive to Titanic and co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction.” For information and tickets go to titanicpigeonforge.com or call 800 381-7670.
Sources:
1. Thanksgiving Fireworks Light Up The Sky At Titanic Museum Attraction In Pigeon Forge
(29 Oct 2013, Chattanoogan.com)
2. Titanic Pigeon Forge (website)
2. Former Titanic slipways were recently used for the 2013 Halloween Metro Monster Mash reports Belfast Telegraph. Aside from the usual assortment of wizards and witches, some dressed up in elaborate costumes like Edward Scissorhands. Local music, street theatre and fire shows entertained during the family-friendly event. There were also prizes awarded fro the best costumes.
Source: Fiery Skies Greet Monsters At Halloween Monster Mash In Titanic Quarter Belfast(28 Oct 2013,Belfast Telegraph)
3. Titanic:The Experience will be hosting a fashion competition tied in with tv show “Project Runway” on 6 November from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The theme is Edwardian fashions. Further information is at titanictheexperience.com/orlando or call 407-248-1166.
Source: Titanic The Experience To Host Fashion Competition(29 Oct 2013,Orlando Sentinel)
Saturday Scramble
*Clive Palmer’s robotic dinosaur park has been approved but not without vocal opposition by local residents reports Fox News. Palmer had sought approval for erecting up to 160 animatronic dinosaurs at his Coolum Resort. The exhibit will include “five Tyrannosaurus rex robots, the largest towering at 8.5 metres (28 feet) in height.” The dinosaur robots will be able to blink their eyes and move their tales.
Source: Green Light For Titanic Tycoon’s Aussie Dinosaur Park(25 Jul 2013,Fox News)
*Belfast’s Titanic Quarter has exceeded all expectations reports The Telegraph. Titanic Quarter is being designed as a place for education, residential, and entertainment growth. 185 acres are being converted into the largest urban waterfront with Belfast Titanic being a major draw with over 800,000 visitors in the first year.
The Quarter is also home to the Northern Ireland Science Park – 24 acres of office and R&D space, currently housing more than 100 indigenous and international organisations – and Titanic Studios, one of Europe’s largest TV and movie production sets. Premier Inn, the first of five planned hotels, is already achieving high levels of occupancy and around 1,000 people are living in the first residential phase of the development.
Source: Belfast’s Titanic Quarter Exceeds Expectations(26 Jul 2013,The Telegraph)
*Many are surprised to learn there was a black family traveling aboard Titanic, and were second class passengers. Joseph Laroche was traveling aboard Titanic with his family (his wife and two children;his wife was pregnant with a third child). Born in Haiti in 1886, he migrated to France in 1901 (at age 15) to study engineering. After obtaining his degree, he found racial discrimination got in his way of a high paying job. His second daughter Louise was born prematurely and had medical problems. With his wife pregnant, Laroche decided to return to Haiti with his pregnant wife. Since he wife was white, the couple got stares and rude comments aboard Titanic. When disaster struck, he made sure his wife and children were placed on a lifeboat (possibly lifeboat 14). Joseph Larouche perished when Titanic sank.
Source: Titanic Black Passengers: Joseph Laroche, Unknown Facts(26 Jul 2013, Examiner.com)
Further information:
Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche (Encyclopedia Titanica)
Belfast To Celebrate Maritime Heritage With Titanic Maritime Festival
Belfast will be celebrating its sea links with 2013 Titanic Maritime Festival. The Festival 
takes place during the May Bank Holiday Weekend (25 May-27 May). Various ships will be visiting Belfast for the event including the Gulden Leeuw , a Dutch tall ship built in the 1930s. Titanic Belfast will have a series of Titanic-themed talks along with the Titanic Walking Tour.
Many other activities are planned including pirate re-enactments along with free arts and crafts activities. Street theatre, performers, and a 5o ft inflatable whale for kids to walk through are all part of the event.
Full details are at belfastcity.gov.uk.
Source: Belfast To Celebrate Its Rich Maritime Heritage At 2013 Titanic Maritime Festival(14 May 2o13, Belfast Telegraph)
Shop Amazon Memorial Day Event – Celebrate with Books, Music, Party Supplies
Friday Titanic News
1. The violin recently revealed as Wallace Hartley’s aboard Titanic will be going on display 
this weekend, along with other Titanic memorabilia, at the Belfast City Hall. It is part of a special exhibition that marks Belfast first Royal Charter granted by King James in April 1613. Lisa Morgan, city events officer, says the inclusion of Titanic was important to Belfast as it was built there.
Sources:
(1)’Titanic Violin’ For Belfast Anniversary(29 Mar 2013, UTV)
(2)Titanic Belfast Celebrates First Birthday(28 Mar 2013, UTV)
2. A collection of crystal bowls similar to those used on Titanic are being made to mark the anniversary of its visit to Cork. The bowls will be limited editions and for sale in April.
Source: Replica Crystal Will Mark Titanic Anniversary(29 Mar 2013, Cork News)*
*Due to policy of charging for links, we no longer provide them to Republic of Ireland newspapers.
The Passion of the Christ (Definitive Edition)
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (remastered deluxe edition)
Titanic News For 5 Feb 2013
1. Titanic House A Big Draw For Architects (30 Jan 2013, Belfast Telegraph)
The Belfast Telegraph reports that the former headquarters of Harland & Wolff is being turned into a new business hub. An architectural firm has already moved in on the second floor of the three story sandstone building built in stages between 1909 and 1919.
2. Duke Of York Tours Titanic Shipyard(29 Jan 2013, Belfast Telegraph)
The Duke of York has visited the spot where the Titanic was built during a tour in Belfast. Prince Andrew viewed the cavernous dry dock in which the liner, which sank with the loss of more than 1,000 people, was prepared for sea. Okay I admit this is filler since hardly anyone except palace watchers will care about his. At least this as nothing to do with a certain reality star whose initials are K.K., a crazed Lohan, or whether or not two judges on American Idol hate each other.