LOCAL COMMUNITIES ENJOY A TITANIC EXPERIENCE ALONG BELFAST HISTORIC WATERFRONT

Maritime Belfast Trust, in partnership with Titanic Belfast, has delivered its annual Local Community Day, welcoming 500 people from 50 community groups across the city to visit the world class visitor attraction.

Over the past nine years, the initiative has provided opportunities for more than 5,000 local residents to engage with Belfast’s Historic Waterfront and enjoy a complimentary visit to Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic. This year’s event brought together families, youth organisations, and community groups for a day of exploration and learning. Groups included Men’s Shed, Short Strand Community Forum, Brain Injury Matters, Archway Youth Centre, Ballynafeigh Community Development Association and Waterfront Communities. Visitors also had the opportunity to get into the spirit of the upcoming Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which will take place in Belfast this August, through a series of pop-up céilís held in the Titanic Atrium.

Kerrie Sweeney MBE, CEO of Maritime Belfast Trust said “Local Community Day is a key part of our commitment to ensuring Belfast’s maritime heritage is accessible to the communities who live closest to it. Each year, it provides a meaningful opportunity to welcome groups from across the city to experience the stories, places and spaces on their doorstep, often for the first time. Seeing local people engage with the heritage of the waterfront and feel a sense of connection and pride in their maritime history is what the day is all about, and we are proud to continue delivering this initiative in partnership with Titanic Belfast.”

Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast said “We were proud to partner once again with Maritime Belfast Trust for the annual Local Community Day, welcoming over 500 people to experience Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic. Creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement remains at the heart of what we do and it was a pleasure to host 50 community groups from across the city as they explored and celebrated Belfast’s rich maritime heritage.”

Maritime Belfast Trust is committed to developing Belfast Historic Waterfront as a world class, sustainable waterfront for everyone. Through the National Lottery Heritage Fund Heritage Places initiative, Maritime Belfast is working with partners to unlock further opportunities for preservation, storytelling and community engagement. Local Community Day also provided an opportunity for the groups to contribute ideas to help shape future initiatives for Belfast Historic Waterfront.

For further information on the Heritage Places initiative click here