Get Ready To Go The EXTRA Mile Along Belfast’s Waterfront

Belfast’s Maritime Mile is set to host a year of events and activities as Go the EXTRA Mile officially launches on Saturday 18 May. Delivered by Maritime Belfast Trust, the charity responsible for preserving and promoting Belfast’s maritime heritage, Go the EXTRA Mile is an invitation to local people and visitors to discover more of the city’s historic waterfront and enjoy an extra mile welcome from local attractions, venues, restaurants and cafes along the way.

With over 30 events over the next 10 months, Go the EXTRA Mile is an invitation to immerse yourself in history (stand in the bottom of the Thompson Dry Dock), get active (try some Irish dancing on the Titanic Slipways), be more sustainable (ditch the car and hire a Belfast Bike), meet new people (become a volunteer) or try something new (after hours at a museum).

People going the extra mile will also be able to take part in seasonal spectacles with events planned throughout the year. Aligned to the Belfast 2024 cultural programme free Boat Building workshops kick off the festivities in Titanic Hotel Belfast on Saturday 18 May, Sunday 26  and Monday 27 May from 11am – 2pm. These workshops are open to all, whatever your age or skill level. Delivered in partnership with PS2, the workshops are part of the Water Works project, Belfast largest Boat Building experiment.

Go the EXTRA Mile will include the return of the hugely successful Sundays on the Mile. Taking place on the last Sunday of the month between 12pm and 5pm, from May through to September, Sundays on the Mile will offer free musical performances across a mix of genres. Complementing their historic locations, artists will range from professional musicians to buskers, jazz musicians to string quartets, opera to traditional music. Stops include Hamilton Dock next to SS Nomadic, Sailortown, AC Hotel on City Quays and RiverBox at the Titanic Slipways. To kick off the programme, join us at 12 noon on Sunday (19 May) at SoundYard, located on Queen’s Quay close to the Odyssey and Abercorn Marina. To hear NI Opera’s lead soprano Mary McCabe and Roving Out a lively, foot-tapping, hand-clapping folk band.

Kerrie Sweeney, CEO of Maritime Belfast Trust said: “Developing and showcasing the Maritime Mile and all that it has to offer to both locals and visitors is important to help position Belfast as an attractive international destination.

“Our campaign will help attract an expected 1.5 million people to Belfast’s Maritime Mile between now and March 2025. With such a variety of events available, there will be something for everyone to help them go that extra mile and celebrate the fantastic location and talent we have on our doorstep and learn about the importance of preserving our rich heritage.”

For full details and to download your very own copy of the Go the Extra Mile guide visit  maritime-mile.com Make sure to tell us how you are going the Extra Mile and join the conversation on Maritime Mile Facebook and Instagram using #MaritimeMile.