Everyone knows the story of the Titanic: the mighty cruise liner that struck an iceberg, split into two pieces and sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic, leaving Leo DiCaprio bobbing in the water and Kate Winslet to narrate… no, hang on a minute. The first bit is true anyway. And, as you may have noticed, 2012 is the hundredth anniversary of the Titanic’s last voyage. But did you know where the ship and her sister vessel the Olympic were built?
A century ago, Belfast was one of the great industrial cities of the British Empire, but big changes were on the horizon. The newspapers were full of debate about Home Rule and the separation of Ireland from Britain… topics that would sadly define the fate of the city for much of the twentieth century. But these were good years and the construction of the giant ships at Harland and Wolff confirmed Belfast’s reputation as one of the great shipbuilding cities.
The good times are back in Belfast. On the 100th anniversary of the of the Titanic’s sinking, a brand new museum has opened in the dock area where the ship was constructed. TitanicBelfast is located in a beautiful modern building where you can find out all about the story of the boat’s construction, its passengers and life onboard. There are also plenty of events going on in the city throughout the year in honour of the anniversary, including festivals, concerts and theatre shows.
But don’t let all the Titanic nostalgia make you think that Belfast is a city that dwells on the past… this is a city that is looking forwards with optimism and enthusiasm. You can still find ships being refurbished in the docks, but the most notable renewal can be found in the city itself, where modern buildings are springing up at a pace.
Our partner school IH Belfast offers students a warm, genuine welcome in a city where visitors are received with pleasure. The school is located in the lively university district and has excellent accommodation facilities just a short walk from the city centre.
Belfast is an original and fascinating destination for an English course, especially if you are looking to get off the beaten track. In a compact city that can easily be explored on foot, be sure to check out St George’s market, where you can roam from stall to stall sampling some of the city’s best food. Pop into one of the traditional pubs that are perfect for a lunchtime pint or get stuck into the local music scene, which is bubbling with creativity. A recent survey showed that Belfast offers the best value for tourists of any UK city.
And then there is the Irish countryside. Helen’s Bay Beach is just a couple of kilometres from the city centre and a variety of other sandy beaches are nearby. The coastline is beautiful, rugged and perfect for long walks. Further north, through the rolling green Ballymena countryside, the Giant’s Causeway is part of local legend.
2012 is a great year to visit Belfast and an English course in Belfast is the perfect way to discover the city while improving your language skills. To find out more about our programmes, get in touch.
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