Revisiting Belfast, the victorian capital cityof Northern Ireland

It covers an area of 25.9 square miles, of which two square miles are water and can be considered a first class seaport. The local population claimed to have the largest shipbuilding plant in the world at this waterfront. They also took great pride in having built the legendary Titanic here and having it launched from its dock. Shipbuilding in Belfast really began with the enterprises of a William Ritchie of Ayrshire, dating from 1791, but the Encyclopedia Britannica reports that the earliest records of shipbuilding dates back to 1636 when the "Eagle Wing" was built on the shore of Belfast Lough by a group of Presbyterians of Belfast who wanted to seek refuge in the new world. Continuous progress was made after the early 19th century. Unfortunately, the Titanic met up with an iceberg on its maiden voyage and sank with few survivors. On my recent trip, I also witnessed little activity at the shipyards and learned that other European countries are now building the large ocean liners and cruise ships. However, Belfast's linen industry benefited when the French Huguenots came to Ulster after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. There are some magnificent linen mills where exquisite costly table linens are manufactured and of course, there are the distilleries for that famous Irish whiskey that goes so well with Irish coffee. I couldn't find too much information about the early history of Belfast before 1177 when a castle was built by John de Courcy as a fortress over Belfast's Lagan River. That date also marked the start of Belfast as a settlement until Edward Bruce destroyed the town and the castle in 1316. In reality, this area was actually a fishing village under the house of O'Neill. Later, Queen Elizabeth intervened toward the close of the 16th century and gave the land to her favored Sir Thomas Smith. Sir Smith then forfeited this town of 120 houses and the partially destroyed castle to the Baron Chichester of Belfast. Charters were granted to the town by kings James I, James II, and William III in the 17th century for representation to parliament by two Belfast representatives. This also was the start of commercial development for this area. Currently, the city of Belfast is home to a feast of cultural activities that will continue through the end of 2006. Tourists will join the people of Belfast to celebrate a dynamic series of events of the Celebrate Belfast Program. Just imagine spending an evening attending a rock concert featuring Bono in the splendid copper domed Waterfront Hall or at the mighty Odyssey Arena complex. Visiting The Titanic Museum, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the 1900s town of Ballycultra, the interactive science museum W5 at the Odyssey as well as leisurely designer label shopping on the atmospheric leafy Lisburn Road, are "must dos" on my itinerary in Belfast. I was also delighted to find my favorite Boots Pharmacy to stock up on Lem Sip packets and my Catarrh Pastilles, guaranteed to cure a cough, sore throat, the common cold, sinusitis and just about every upper respiratory ailment. For spectacular views of Belfast, it's a trip to the Belfast Zoo, high up on Cave Hill and nearby Belfast Castle with its lovely gardens and adventure maze center, or pack a picnic lunch and go up to Cave Hill Country Park and its Bronze Age forts, lakes and wildlife. I also enjoy a pint of that ice cold dark Guinness Beer at the Crown Liquor Saloon, one of the world's most beautiful Victorian pubs without their famous oysters (which I never could slurp down raw). Not to be missed in my judgment is the beautifully restored Linen Hall Library and their huge collection of Irish books, Queen's University at the heart of the fascinating Queen's Quarter, and the beautiful St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast's new cultural heartland, the Cathedral Quarter should be part of any visit. Belfast also lends itself to the active visitor who enjoys walking tours or cycling around the city or on hilly country roads just outside the city proper. I prefer the more sedentary boat trips, open-topped bus tours and a bit of that Irish humor and gift of gab from the driver on a traditional Black Taxi tour of the city center. All in all, I find the Irish people delightful. Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe @verizon.net