It’s been 111 years and I can still smell the fresh paint: Rare artefacts added to Titanic Experience in Belfast

It’s been 111 years and I can still smell the fresh paint: Rare artefacts added to Titanic Experience in Belfast

For the first time ever, rare artefacts from the Titanic are on public display adding a powerful new dimension to Belfast’s Titanic Experience.

The highly anticipated reimagined Titanic Experience, which opened on 4 March at Titanic Belfast, includes four new galleries and a model replica of the ship.

Adding a very personal element to the refreshed exhibition is the display of a number of extremely rare artefacts which are of great historical significance.

The 15 items are mostly personal effects from those who lost their lives in the tragic sinking; they create an intense emotional connection to the Titanic’s passengers and crew.

The items include the world-famous violin belonging to the ship’s hero musician, Wallace Hartley, which has been described as one of the rarest and most iconic objects of the 20th century.

A rare manifest ticket, stamped 10 April 1912, and a pocket watch belonging to passenger Malcolm Joakim Johnson are also part of the exhibition.

The hands of the corroded Omega watch are frozen in time at 1.37am, the exact moment Johnson was immersed into the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Other items highlight the sheer size of the liner.

A Plan of First Class accommodation, which was issued exclusively to First Class passengers to help them navigate the luxury liner, belonged to Ellen Bird, the personal maid to Ida Straus, whose husband owned Macy’s department store in New York.

A set of five rare original glass plate photographs of Titanic’s launch in Belfast on 31 May 1911, and several personal letters present a window back in time.

Also on display are a deck chair bearing the distinctive insignia of the White Star Line, one of only six known to have survived, and a rare lifejacket.

The refreshed Titanic experience introduces ‘The Pursuit of Dreams’ as a new theme and combines immersive new technology with this original maritime heritage collection and the authentic Titanic story to deliver an enriched, emotive experience.

A new centrepiece of the experience is an illuminated replica model of RMS Titanic, which is suspended from the ceiling.

It rotates to highlight different areas of the ship in line with the stories being told through colourful projections on the walls around it.

An original score has been recorded to add further emotion and drama to the retelling of the story that has fascinated the world for over 100 years.

Latest News

  • Cruise

Silversea sets sail on its 2025 World Cruise

Experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, Silversea, has set sail on its 2025 World Cruise, Controtempo, taking guests to 59 destinations over 136 days. The cruise set sail from Tokyo on 13 January and arrives in New York on 29 May 2025. Guests will experience many of the most iconic cities and off-the-beaten-path gems in […]

  • Hotels

Dusit International announces two new hotels in the Philippines

Thailand hotel and property development company Dusit International has strengthened its presence in the Philippines with two new hotels in Mindanao, set to open in late 2029. The company, represented in the Philippines by Dusit Thani Philippines Inc., has signed hotel management agreements with IDC Prime. IDC Prime is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italpinas […]

  • Destinations
  • Hotels

Elite Havens adds luxury new villa to its portfolio

Elite Havens, a premier luxury villa rental and management provider, has added a new villa to its existing portfolio of over 250 villas now available for rent in Phuket, Thailand. The Surin Seaview Villa is a three-storey hillside retreat nestled on the hills of Phuket’s beautiful west coast and offers breathtaking views of the Andaman […]

  • Destinations
  • Events

Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia

As the Lunar New Year approaches, various destinations around Asia have announced the different celebrations they have lined up. Fire show, live band, instrumentalists, and bartenders flair show The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will celebrate the most significant time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a broad spectrum […]

  • Conferences

The Australian Tourism Exchange heads to Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 April

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27 April to 1 May 2025. Tourism Australia requires all sellers attending the event to submit a front panel graphic with one image representing their business for marketing purposes at ATE25, while Destination NSW requires sellers to submit a […]

  • Appointments
  • News

New acting CEO of Destination NSW appointed

Karen Jones has commenced her role as Acting CEO of Destination NSW, taking the reins for an interim period of approximately six months. During this time, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport will recruit for a permanent CEO. Jones brings over 27 years of leadership experience in state and local government. Most […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Qantas rejects claims about QFF availability

Persistence pays when attempting to claim Frequent Flyer Classic Reward seats on popular routes, Qantas says. Reports claims that there was no availability on popular routes such as Sydney-London and Paris in 2025 following last year’s introduction of Classic Plus. Steve Hui of iflyflat.com.au said in a media report that frequent flyers are unable to […]

  • Attractions
  • News

Inspirational Australians lead events across NSW as Australia Day Ambassadors

Innovators, educators, musicians, healthcare professionals, elite athletes and environmental advocates are among 80 inspirational Australians who will take part in events across NSW as Australia Day Ambassadors on 26 January 2025. These outstanding citizens and local heroes are handpicked each year by the Australia Day Council of NSW for their exceptional contributions to the community […]

  • Cruise

Royal Caribbean’s latest summer getaway deals with up to 60 per cent off

Royal Caribbean has announced its latest itineraries for short summer getaways aboard Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas with various savings. Prices for these cruises start from $659 per person for a balcony stateroom. Travellers can enjoy up to 60 per cent off second guests, with up to $850 in instant savings and kids’ sailings from […]