Published: 11th August 2020
Miles Of Fun As Maritime Mile Treasure Trail Experience Launched
The Maritime Mile Treasure Trail, an exciting new outdoor family experience aimed at encouraging locals and visitors to explore Belfast’s Historic waterfront, has been launched. A joint initiative between Titanic Foundation and Belfast Harbour, the trail provides a waterfront experience where visitors can explore Belfast’s maritime & industrial heritage.
Titanic Foundation, the charity set up to preserve and promote Belfast’s maritime and industrial heritage including the development of Titanic Belfast, collaborated with Belfast Harbour on the trail. It was developed as part of the Foundation’s commitment to the development and promotion of Belfast’s iconic heritage waterfront as a seamless, accessible and vibrant destination for local people and visitors.
The treasure trail, which is available now until 6th November, is free. There are 18 stops along Belfast’s iconic waterfront with questions, clues, facts and challenges all of which can be easily found on a series of information panels along the self-guided route. There will be weekly prize draws as well as a main prize draw of a specially commissioned Maritime Mile painting by local artist and former Harland & Wolff employee Colin H. Davidson. There’s also a mini explorers version of the trail, with prizes also available. Everyone who completes the experience will get their very own Maritime Mile certificate.
Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Titanic Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Belfast Harbour on this project and we are looking forward to implementing further exciting plans for the Maritime Mile. The treasure trail is a wonderful experience that will fuel the imagination and get you exploring the most interesting parts of Belfast’s iconic waterfront, while discovering Belfast’s seafaring history, vibrant quaysides and historic docks, all in an outdoor environment. We would also like to thank our stakeholders Titanic Quarter Limited, who have provided outdoor seating along the Treasure Trail route, which really captures our neighbourhood spirit. We hope this new initiative inspires local people and visitors to embrace the Maritime Mile and increase their knowledge of the city’s important maritime heritage in a family friendly and fun way.”
Joe O’Neill, Belfast Harbour CEO, added:
“Belfast Harbour has a vision to create an iconic waterfront for Belfast which is a stand-out international destination to visit, live and work in. The Maritime Mile Treasure Trail is a great opportunity to showcase one of Belfast’s most historic and fascinating areas. For a long time Belfast forgot that its beginnings and prosperity rested on its waterfront. In recent times the City has started to rebuild and rediscover that relationship, and the huge opportunities that its regeneration will bring.”
Former Harland & Wolff employee and artist Colin H. Davidson commented:
“I was very pleased to be commissioned to do this painting as it’s particularly special piece for me. I will be taking inspiration from my family memories of working in the shipyard. I worked for Harland & Wolff for over 13 years and my father and uncle worked on many of the iconic vessels. The Maritime Mile painting, will be inspired by the waterfront’s maritime & industrial history.”
For further information on the Maritime Mile Treasure Trail visit www.maritime-mile.com. Follow Maritime Mile on Facebook and Instagram #MaritimeMile.