Till Mueller
b9a3605862
- New ITINERARY.md: complete day-by-day from Aug 4 Walldorf to Sep 2 home. Includes exact ferry departure/arrival times for all 4 crossings, recommended hotel departure times on driving days, timed daily schedules. Key findings: IoM→Larne (not Belfast) every 2-3 days, Aug 10 sailing fits; Galway→Dingle via Killimer-Tarbert car ferry saves 90km vs Limerick. - IoM restored to 3 nights (Aug 7-10) to fit ferry schedule - Belfast updated: arrival from Larne, not Belfast direct - All section dates corrected; README updated with ITINERARY.md link
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3.9 KiB
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68 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
# Belfast, Northern Ireland
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> **Type:** City destination + ferry arrival
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> **Recommended stay:** 1–2 days
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> **Best for:** History, Titanic, murals, starting point for Wild Atlantic Way north
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## Arrival from Isle of Man
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**Steam Packet no longer serves Belfast directly.** Since December 2025 the route is **Douglas → Larne** (not Belfast). Larne is 20 miles north of Belfast — 30–40 min drive to the city centre.
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- Ferry departs Douglas 09:30, arrives Larne 14:15 (~4h 45m)
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- Sailing runs every 2–3 days — **check available dates** when booking: [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com)
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- August 2026 sailing dates from Douglas: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31
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- **Aug 10 sailing** fits the itinerary (arrive Larne 14:15, Belfast ~15:00)
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## Must-See
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### Titanic Belfast
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The world's largest Titanic visitor experience, built on the exact slipways where the ship was constructed. Even if you're not a Titanic enthusiast, the building itself (angular steel "hull" design) and the exhibition quality are exceptional.
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- **Allow:** 2–3 hours
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- **Book ahead:** [titanicbelfast.com](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)
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### Cathedral Quarter & City Hall
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Belfast's historic centre, with Victorian City Hall (free to enter), pubs, and the Cathedral Quarter's street art scene.
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### Falls Road & Shankill Road Murals
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The political murals in West Belfast are one of the most vivid open-air documents of the Troubles. ⭐ **Take a Black Cab Tour** — led by people from the communities themselves, giving a balanced and personal account of the conflict from both sides. One of the most memorable things you can do in Ireland. 1.5–2h, bookable on the street or in advance.
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### St George's Market
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Victorian covered market, open Friday–Sunday. Best on Saturday morning: food, antiques, live music.
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### Titanic Quarter & SS Nomadic
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The SS Nomadic is the last remaining White Star Line vessel — the tender that ferried first-class passengers to the Titanic. Moored near the museum.
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## Day Trip: Causeway Coast
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If you have a second day, the Causeway Coast east of Belfast is unmissable.
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- ⭐ **Giant's Causeway** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns from volcanic activity. Can be busy in summer — arrive early.
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- **EV note:** The Giant's Causeway visitor centre car park has EV charging — top up while you walk the causeway.
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- **Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge** — Suspension bridge to a tiny island; dramatic coastal views
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- **Dunluce Castle** — Ruined clifftop castle, one of Ireland's most dramatic
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- **Bushmills Distillery** — Oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608)
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---
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## EV Charging in Belfast
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Belfast has solid rapid charging infrastructure.
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- **Applegreen / ESB ecars** rapid chargers in the city centre and at major retail parks
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- **Titanic Quarter:** ESB charger near the museum — convenient if you're visiting anyway
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- **Sprucefield Retail Park** (south of city, M1): fast chargers on the route toward Dublin/Donegal
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- Treat Belfast as a full recharge before heading into the sparse Donegal network
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---
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## Practical Info
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- **Currency:** British Pounds (GBP) — Northern Ireland is part of the UK
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- **Note:** Republic of Ireland uses Euros (EUR); the border is invisible but the currency changes
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- **Driving:** Left side (same as rest of UK/Isle of Man)
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- **Ferry from Isle of Man:** Steam Packet Company Douglas → Belfast (seasonal); check [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com). Stena Line also serves Belfast from Liverpool/Cairnryan.
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## Onward: Into Ireland
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From Belfast, cross the border into the Republic (invisible since the Good Friday Agreement — no passport control). Head northwest toward Donegal to start the Wild Atlantic Way at its northern end.
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See `06-wild-atlantic-way.md`.
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## Links
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- [Visit Belfast](https://visitbelfast.com)
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- [Titanic Belfast](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)
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- [Causeway Coast](https://causewaycoastandglens.com)
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