Holiday 2025

Northern Ireland, The Titanic Experience & Derry

Monday 9th June
Most of us chose to travel to the airport by coach from Aldridge Community centre to catch the flight to Belfast. Our guide, Tommy, and driver, Jimmy, met us there and we made our way to the Giant’s Causeway. The visitor centre was National Trust and there was a shuttlebus to take people to and from the causeway, a world heritage site formed from lava eruptions over 60 million years ago (or more romantically, constructed by the giant Finn McCool to reach his rival in battle in Scotland). The rain was heavy but we kept cheerful! On then to our hotel, the Dunadry Hotel and Country club, which everyone was delighted with.

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Tuesday
Our first adventure was a tour of Belfast, taking in the Belfast murals, the peace wall and the Shanklin Road, all decorated with union jack flags ready for the parades in July. We also made a long stop to see the impressive buildings of Queen’s University. On then to Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland’s devolved parliament. Because the farmers were protesting and had blocked the main drive with tractors we had to circle round to the back! While we were there the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister came out to speak to the farmers, but, as they returned to the building they stopped to speak to our group and allowed us a photo opportunity. We then went into the chamber to observe the politicians at work. The day was completed with a visit to Mount Stewart, a National Trust property overlooking Strangford Loch with magnificent gardens planted in the 1920’s.

Wednesday
Our group made its way through the delightful Irish countryside to Derry/Londonderry, where we had a tour of the Bogside and where Tommy explained some of the issues which still recall the Troubles. After a walk around the beautifully preserved walls, where we saw the Apprentice Boys’ Hall, we had a guided tour of St Columb’s cathedral. In the afternoon we visited the Seamus Heaney Home Place, where we found out about the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers.

Thursday
After two days of exceptional weather Thursday started overcast, but the rain held off until 12.14 and we left Rowallane Garden at 12.15! This garden was a mix of formal and informal garden spaces, with many exotic plants. On then to the National Trust’s Castle Ward, where the building was divided into two distinct parts, one classical and one gothic as a result of the differing tastes to the couple which built it. High on a hillside overlooking Strangford Lough the castle enjoyed fantastic views.

Friday
After checking out from the hotel we made our way to the Titanic Experience, housed in a new £90m building resembling the famous hull. A true visitor experience, showcasing all aspects of shipbuilding in Belfast and tracing the story of the Titanic from conception to its tragic end. Tommy and Jimmy ensured our holiday was further enhanced by taking us to see the fabulous City Hall in the centre of Belfast, and giving us time to wander the centre before making our way to the airport. The flight was on time and we arrived in Aldridge at 8pm, all pretty tired but having had a wonderful holiday. Thanks go especially to Louise for the organising before and during the time and to Janet for sorting out our transport to and from the airport
Vivian Fairbank

Previous holidays are available on the Archive page.