May 2023


WATER-WAY TO SPEND A DAY IN BELFAST!


VISITORS to Belfast will now be able to enjoy a cruise around Belfast Lough following the launch of a new river cruise service by newly-formed tourism company Waterways Belfast Ltd. The MV Lady of the Lagan, which was officially launched on 20 April by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Christina


www.nitravelnews.com


Black, is the latest addition


to Belfast’s


lo ng -st an di ng maritime tourism product and will operate four daily one- hour cruises of Belfast Harbour, starting and finishing at the Big Fish monument on Donegall Quay. The


first


passengers on the ship were pupils from St Mary’s Primary School in Kircubbin, who won a competition to name the new vessel, and runners-up from Holy Cross Boys Primary School in Belfast. Waterways Belfast Ltd,


founded by entrepreneurs Peter Lavery, Sean


up to 60 passengers and crew and will operate all year round,


with


Belfast-born Captain Alan Gilfillan at the helm.


The vessel will also be available


Life Brought Back to Titanic Pumphouse as Whiskey Returns to Belfast


BEL FAST’S newest tourist attraction, and the city’s first working whiskey distillery in almost 90 years, is to open its doors to the public at the


end of this month (Friday April 28, 2023).


Drinks company Titanic Distillers has invested almost £8 million to convert the historic Titanic Pumphouse, in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, into a new distillery and visitor centre that will give guests a chance to explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground, before her maiden voyage. A listed building, the Pumphouse,


and


neighbouring Thompson Dry Dock, first opened in 1911 to service


and


accommodate the massive White Star transatlantic liners Olympic and Titanic. Now, 112 years later, visitors will experience the workings of the new distillery and hear the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition, why it disappeared and how it has now returned at the Pumphouse, the new home of Titanic Distillers. Guests


will also have


a chance to view the distillery’s three new Forsyth’s stills which are situated on a mezzanine floor overlooking the


Donnelly and brothers Jeremy and Simon Rogers, has invested a quarter of a million pounds in in the new service that will navigate around Belfast Lough, highlighting key additions and developments to the shoreline and beyond that have helped to transform Belfast into a world class tourism destination over the last decade. A former luxury cruiser on Lough Erne, the Lady of the Lagan can accommodate


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 55


for private hire functions in the evening, with a licensed bar to host a variety of events. Waterways Belfast founding director Peter Lavery said:


“It has always been a passion of mine to see the sights and sounds of Belfast Lough being brought to a wider audience in the form of a quality maritime experience. “After many months of searching, we were able to secure the MV Lady of the Lagan and, after considerable investment of approximately quarter of a million pounds, I’m absolutely delighted with the results. “We now have a fully licensed river cruiser which will offer a unique insight and experience into Belfast’s expanding maritime history tourism product. And in Captain Alan Gilfillan we have a highly experienced and personable member of the team who will help bring the unique story of Belfast Lough to life for all of our guests,“ he added.


original Gwynne pumping engines which are deep in the building’s pump-well. All of the original pump equipment and associated internal historic features of the building have been retained and are available to view as part of the associated visitor tours, while the exterior includes a new food and beverage area.


Visitors can enjoy the Dock Tour,


a one-hour


guided experience of the exterior dry dock, including a 66-step descent into the historic location where Titanic last rested on dry land.


The Signature Tour is


a 60-minute fully guided tour of the distillery, located within the historic Pumphouse,


a walk-


through the distillation process followed by a ‘sensory experience’ and tasting of Titanic Distillers award-winning Irish spirits. Premium and Legacy


Tours are also available – both of which include tours of the distillery, Pumphouse and Thompson Dock, lasting two hours and 150 minutes respectively.


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