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May 13, 2015

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Northern Ireland isn’t just for ‘Game of Thrones’ fans

By Zhu Jing | May 13, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

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GAME of Thrones is back on the air with its fifth season. Why not pack your bags and fly to Northern Ireland, to see close-up where some parts of the series was filmed? Although it’s a trip tailor-made for a hardcore Thrones fan, Northern Ireland’s attractions go beyond just popular TV drama. It’s a place of scenery, history, culture and even some fine cuisine.

Titanic Belfast

The story of the Titanic begins in Belfast, where the ship was built by Harland & Wolff shipbuilders. The Titanic Belfast, a museum in the city, gives visitors a comprehensive history of arguably the world’s most famous ship, from its initial designs to its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Housed in a futuristic six-story building located on the site of the former shipyard, the museum has nine galleries: Boomtown Belfast, the Shipyard Ride, the Launch of the Titanic, the Fit-Out, the Maiden Voyage, the Sinking, the Aftermath, Myth and Reality, and Visit and Explore the Wreck. There are a number of interactive exhibits such as an indoor roller coaster-style ride that takes visitors on a journey exploring shipbuilding in the early 1900s.

Visitors can still see the giant slipways where the Titanic was launched outside the museum. In the ninth gallery, a huge screen airs footage filmed in 1985 of the Titanic’s final resting place about 4,000 meters below the North Atlantic.

The Bistro 401 Restaurant is on the first floor of the museum. It offers what it calls cuisine inspired by the traditional dishes served aboard steamships.

Free guided tours

In the heart of the city is the iconic Belfast City Hall, which first opened in 1906. There are free guided tours from Monday to Saturday. Walking in the building, one can witness a local wedding if lucky.

Opposite city hall, is a tourist information center selling souvenirs, postcards and stamps. You can book day tours and show tickets there, pick up free maps and leaflets and, of course, ask any questions about your trip.

The city’s oldest library, the Linen Hall Library, is just a few steps away from the tourist center. Founded in 1788, the library has guided tours every Tuesday and Friday mornings. The collection of books and archives in the building is worth a browse around. A harp stands in the center of the lobby on the second floor, near a wooden spiral staircase to the third floor.

If you are on a family trip with children who adore Alice in Wonderland, the Alice Clock in Fountain Center is a “must-see.” The clock is located on second floor of the center and is the only automaton clock in Ireland. It was created to celebrate the 2000 millennium. Twenty-four bells chime on the hour, and the clock is decorated with characters from the Lewis Carroll classic.

Once in the city center, it is not difficult to spot the Albert Clock, built in 1865 to honor Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert. The Gothic style clock, which is 35 meters high and had a slight list until recently, was often called Belfast’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From the Albert Clock, the yellow Alexandra Graving Dock with the letters “H&W,” for Harland & Wolff, can be seen.

The streets in this area have tourist information boards that make a walking tour a delight.

Food

North Ireland has always been a seafaring nation, and its cuisine mirrors its heritage. Don’t miss fresh local seafood specialties such as mussels, lobsters, cod and salmon. Fish and chips and fishcakes are also great takeaways. Lobster dominates many fine menus, with mussels in cream sauce as an entrée.

For meat lovers, local pubs in Belfast offer grill platters and hearty stews. The Flame Bar & Grill is a recommended stop. Its homemade strawberry cheesecake is not to be missed.

Game of Thrones tour

A special guided tour for Thrones fans takes visitors along breathtaking coastal scenery. Everything you ever wanted to know about the show, its stars and its settings is meticulously explained. In fact, everything you may never really wanted to know is thrown in, too, by the enthusiastic guides.

One of the most popular stops on the tour is Dark Hedges, which is called King’s Road in the TV drama. The hedges feature two rows of beech trees planted by the Stuarts in the 18th century. This stretch was recently included in the 12 best road trips in the UK and Ireland.

As the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast is another highlight of the tour. It has attracted millions of visitors for centuries. It’s a long walk from the entrance to the renowned 40,000 polygonal columns of layered basalt, which resulted from a volcanic eruption around 60 million years ago. But the walk is worth it as the sea breezes whisper in the ears. There are many myths and legends about the Giant’s Causeway, which spice up the visit.

If bus tours leave you feeling a bit too regimented, rent a car and drive the coastline route. That way, you can stop wherever your fancy takes you.

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