Voyage of discovery awaits those in search of new Titanic adventure

Thirty-five years on since the wreck of the Titanic was discovered, Northern Ireland residents are being challenged to learn something they didn’t know about the ill-fated passenger liner.
By Mark Rainey
Published 1st Sep 2020, 17:51 BST
Actor and playwright Dan Gordon is encouraging Northern Ireland residents to have a closer look at the story of RMS TitanicActor and playwright Dan Gordon is encouraging Northern Ireland residents to have a closer look at the story of RMS Titanic
Actor and playwright Dan Gordon is encouraging Northern Ireland residents to have a closer look at the story of RMS Titanic

Dr Robert Ballard and French diving engineer Jean-Louis Michel discovered the world’s most famous ship’s final resting place on September 1, 1985.

Built in Belfast, RMS Titanic sank 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in April 1912 – with the loss of more than 1,500 souls – and now lies almost two and a half miles below the Atlantic Ocean.

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To mark the anniversary of the discovery, Titanic Belfast is offering free entry for children to the iconic visitor attraction and the SS Nomadic tender vessel.

Dan Gordon, who wrote the play about the Harland & Wolff shipyard, The Boat Factory and whose ancestors worked in ‘The Yard,’ wants as many people as possible to have a closer look at the remarkable story.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said, “Being from Northern Ireland, we all think we know the story and there is nothing new to discover. However, Belfast is the home of RMS Titanic, her history is ingrained here and it’s our duty to keep the story alive for future generations.

“Therefore, I’m encouraging locals to look closer, go deeper and be surprised by what they didn’t know this autumn.”

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Titanic Belfast chief executive Judith Owens said the museum would be sharing many lesser-known ‘Titanafacts’ on social media during September.

“To support Dan in his mission to get locals to rediscover RMS Titanic this Autumn, we are running our ‘Kids Go Free’ throughout September and October so families can enjoy Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic and discover the world-famous story right on their doorstep,” she said.

Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of Titanic Foundation, said: “Visitors can also create Titanic Memories along the Maritime Mile. Titanic Belfast, the building itself and the surrounding area has secrets and symbolism ingrained in it, and as such we have developed a new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail for families to learn more about Belfast’s iconic waterfront or for those who want to delve deeper and learn more about the men who built the ship they can visit our free exhibition – Out of Stores – in Titanic Belfast’s Andrews Gallery, showing how Belfast’s shipbuilding legacy was born.”

Customers must book online in advance of their visit to Titanic Belfast. For more information visit titanicbelfast.com or maritime-mile.com.

Related topics:Northern Ireland