So I have wifi at the hostel so I'll probably doing a blog each day that I'm in Belfast, because to combine all the days into one blog would most likely end up being way too long. However It doesn't even look like we're doing a lot each day, which is a slight disappoint but it is what it is. So here's day one!
Belfast Day 1
I had to be up at 5:30am today, to be at the bus at 6:00am, which we then had a 4-5 hour bus ride. We didn't leave the school until about 6:30 and we arrived in Belfast at noon, but we had to half hour stops. So I'm pretty exhausted, because sleeping on the bus was near impossible.
Our first stop (and really our only stop) was Belfast Castle. We only spent an hour there, because there wasn't much to really see, unless we had walked through the paths which would have taken for forever. They said it was really just a stop for us to stretch our legs after such a long bus ride.
The Castle
Information:
Belfast Castle occupies a prominent site on the slopes of cave Hill, some 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level. This magnificent sandstone building, now managed by Belfast City Council, has close associations with the city's past. Its sense of history, the superb setting, and first-rate facilities make Belfast Castle an ideal venue for that special occasion, and a 'mus' for ever visitor.
Norman Beginnings
The first 'Belfast Castle' was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. In 1611, Sir Arthur Chichester; Baron of Belfast, built a stone and timber castle on the same site. This was burned down almost 100 years later, leaving only street names, such as Castle Place, to mark the location.
A New Castle
The Chichesters (later the Donegalls) lived in England as absentee landlords but came to live at Ormeau at the beginning of the 19th century. After re-marrying in 1862, the 3rd Marquis of Donegall decided to build a new residence (the present Belfast Castle) on the slopes of Cave Hill. The architect John Lanyon drew up plans for a Scottish Baronial style castle.
Belfast castle was completed in 1870, having far exceeded the initial estimate cost of 11,000 pounds. The Donegall fortune had dwindled so drastically that the project was nearly left unfinished. The son-in-law of the Marquis, Lord Ashley, heir to the title, Earl of Shaftesbury, stepped in and paid for its completion.
Two Families
When the 3rd Marquis of Donegall died in 1884 the estate passed to the Earl of Shaftesbury. The two families are remembered in many Belfast street names such as Donegall Place, Donegall Road and Shaftesbury Square. The Donegall coat of arms appears over the front door and on the north wall of the castle, while a section of the Shaftesbury crest appears on the Italian Style serpentine exterior staircase. This unusual feature, added in 1894 by the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury as a present for his mother, connects the main reception rooms to the garden terrace. The 9th Earl became Lord Mayor in 1907 and Chancellor of Queen's University the following year. The philanthropic family, who supported various charities and hosted garden fetes within the castle grounds, presented the castle and estate to the city of Belfast in 1934.
A Public Venue
From the end of the and World War until the 1970s the castle became a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas. In 1978 Belfast City Council instituted a major refurbishment program that cost over two million pounds. The building was officially re-opened to the public on 11 November 1988
Belfast Castle Today
On entering the building, the visitor passes the reception area and into the Shaftesbury Room, where the original oak paneling and fireplace evoke a sense of history.
Adjacent to this is the Donegall Room leading to the carved oak staircase with spacious lobbies at both ground and first floor level. The main room, the elegant Chichester Room with its polished maple floor, 18th century style wallpaper, chandeliers, and panoramic views, runs the full length of the building and is an ideal setting for receptions, conferences, dinners and other functions.
On the first floor is the bridal suite, and three function rooms- the Fisherwick, Ashley and Ben Madigan (Lanyon Rooms)- each with spectacular views.
The cellars of the castle have a Victorian atmosphere, with narrow, paved 'streets', shop fronts and gas lights. This are contains the Cellar Antique Shop, the Cellar Restaurant and the Castle Tavern, which offers a variety of menus from morning coffee to full meals.
The cellars also contain the Visitor Centre with exciting displays on the history and folklore of Cave Hill Country Park and the story of Belfast Castle.
With its fascinating history and associations, its superb setting and views, and well deserved reputation for good food, Belfast Castle is an ideal center for functions, receptions, conferences, exhibitions, or for that special occasion.
This is the main entrance, but a lot of the castle was closed, because the are renovating part of the visitors center, and there was a wedding reception. So there wasn't much exploration, which we didn't have a lot of time anyways.
"The castle and grounds were presented to the citizens of Belfast by the right honorable the Earl of Shaftesbury on the 26th day of July, 1934.
This Castle was occupied by the Royal Navy 1941- 1946 as the Headquarters of the Flag Officer Commanding Northern Ireland. (part I can't read because of the light) "something" was in control of all ships operating from bases in the Province.
Tribute was paid to the great strategic value of the ulster ports by the right honorable Winston Churchill, Prime Minister, when he wrong in 1943:
"Only one great channel of entry remained open. That channel remained open because loyal ulster gave us the full use of the Northern Irish Ports and waters and thus ensured the free working of the Clyde and the Mersey."
"but for the loyalty of Northern Ireland and its devotion to what has now become the cause of thirty governments of nations, we should have been confronted with slavery and death. And the light which now shines so strongly throughout the world would have been quenched."
Belfast Castle and Grounds opened by the right honorable the Lord Mayor (councilor Sir Crawford Mccullagh) on 9th July, 1937.
And then there's a bunch of names of a committee that I'm not typing out. lol
The Castle Cat
The Cat Garden:
It is said that good fortune will come to those visiting Belfast Castle as long as the tradition of the castle cat is kept. the story goes that there has always been a resident white cat at the castle and the gardens below celebrate this tale with nine references made to the cat in painting, sculpture and garden furniture. The Garden refurbishment project 1992-93 was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
I found 5 cats:
Some more scenery of the castle and the grounds:
After that we checked into our hostel (which if I remember I will have pictures of tomorrow) and then have had free time to do whatever we want. So me and some other girls went to lunch and then walked around the city.
So here are some pictures of the city (but I have to admit I forgot my camera in the hostel so I stole this from my roommate lol)
City Hall
Well that is all I did today. Not much. I'm now sitting in my hostel, might get some pizza, but probably going to bed in an hour or two because I am so tired!
So I will try to post again tomorrow, but the wifi is slow here so it takes a really long time to post stuff.
