Maritime Days Out

We regularly host Maritime Days Out for local community groups, creating welcoming and accessible opportunities to experience the waterfront, connect with its heritage, and enjoy shared experiences.

In May 2024, the Maritime Belfast team welcomed a 12 people and 2 guide dogs from RNIB for a morning walking tour along Donegall Quay, followed by a visit to St Joseph’s for refreshments and an informal talk exploring the history and culture of Sailortown. One group member reflected on the experience by saying it “felt like being on the Riviera” while walking along the Quays, highlighting the positive impact of creating accessible ways to enjoy the waterfront environment.

30 Year 12 students from Saintfield School completed the Maritime Mile Blueway Trail, taking part in an engaging and educational walk along the waterfront. The group was accompanied by the Maritime Belfast team and the Marine, Environment and Biodiversity Officer from Belfast Harbour, who delivered an informative and interactive Q&A throughout the trail, helping students learn more about the area’s marine environment, biodiversity and maritime heritage. As part of the experience, students were also given a special behind-the-scenes sneak peek into the Giants’ changing room, kindly facilitated by the Odyssey Trust, adding a memorable and unique element to the day.

We hosted 29 retired dockers for a Dockers Day Out, celebrating their personal connection to Belfast’s harbour and shipbuilding legacy. The group enjoyed a boat trip onboard the Lady of the Lagan, offering a unique perspective of the harbour estate, followed by lunch and a guided tour of the Titanic Distillery at Thompson Dock. The dockers also got to have a tour through the harbour estate, providing an opportunity for the former workers to reconnect with places that formed a part of their working lives.

In November 2025, a boat trip for the Short Strand Community Forum offered another chance for residents to experience the waterfront from a different viewpoint.

These outings not only provide memorable experiences but also ensure that Belfast’s maritime heritage remains accessible and meaningful to the people who live closest to it.