Belfast is the setting for this full round of 18 holes. The map uses the real city and the ball rolls across its actual streets, with the holes built from real attractions like the Botanic Gardens. Skip is a local guide who knows every corner of this place, even the best spots for a stray crumb. The walk covers 11.3 km and uses 18 portals to bridge the gaps between the landmarks.
Let me show you the SS Nomadic, a ship's tender and former vessel of the White Star Line. This preserved watercraft was built to transfer mail and passengers to and from the ocean liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic. Launched on 25 April 1911 at Belfast, it is now a museum ship located in the Titanic Quarter. You can pick out the specific design of the hull, which makes it a rare find for ship enthusiasts. I've always found the way it sits in the harbor quite striking.
Let me show you Goliath, a landmark shipbuilding gantry crane located at Queen's Island in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The people who built it created a structure that dominates the Belfast skyline. You can pick out this massive crane as a primary feature of the city's industrial profile, and it is one of two twin shipbuilding gantry cranes in the area. I've noticed that from the air, it really stands out against the rest of the waterfront. It is a sight that defines the horizon for locals and visitors alike.
Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 as a convention center and visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. It is located in the city's Titanic Quarter on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard. Designed by architect Eric Kuhne, the building contains 130,000 sq ft of floor space. Since its opening, it has become a major draw for the city, attracting 650,000 annual visitors. You can see the scale of the place just by walking through the halls; I've seen a few confused tourists get lost in all that space.
The Albert Memorial Clock is a clock tower situated at Queen's Square in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a tower built in the Gothic Revival style, which gives it a very specific look. You can pick out that it is an inclined tower, which makes it a distinct landmark for anyone visiting the square. I've noticed that the tower's inception was in 1869, and it was completed in 1869. It is a great spot to stop and get your bearings before moving on to the next part of the city.
Look up at the facade of Belfast City Hall, which faces North in Donegall Square. This is the civic building of Belfast City Council and is a Grade A listed building. If you are visiting Northern Ireland, this city hall is a primary landmark to see. It had its inception in 1906 and was designed by architect Brumwell Thomas. I've found that the open square around the building makes it a great spot for people-watching while you take in the views of the surrounding city. It is a wonderful example of a civic space.
You will first notice the modern presence of the Belfast Waterfront, a multi-purpose conference and entertainment centre in Northern Ireland. It is located in Lanyon Place, which is the flagship development of the Laganside Corporation. The development takes its name from the architect Charles Lanyon. Whether you are visiting for a professional event or a show, it is a central part of the city's waterfront. I find the open spaces around the building are great for stretching your wings and getting a better view of the surroundings.
Saint Malachy's is a Catholic church located in Alfred Street. Visitors will notice the structure is a Grade A listed building, recognized for its architectural significance. This site is the second oldest Catholic church in the city of Belfast that has been continuously in use. In addition to its historical standing in the city, it is one of the 88 parishes in the Diocese of Down and Connor. Whether you are passing through the neighborhood or visiting specifically for the site, the church remains a prominent point of interest in Northern Ireland.
You will first notice the Art Nouveau architecture of the Grand Opera House, a Grade A listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Designed by Frank Matcham, this site operates as a theatre building, movie theater, and opera house. It opened on 23 December 1895 and remains a centerpiece of the city. If you head inside, you can see the results of a £12.2 million project from 2020/2021 that restored the auditorium and reimagined the bars and foyer spaces. I've always found the interior detail quite something.
Located in the Chapel Lane and Smithfield area of Belfast, St Mary's Church is a Grade B1 listed building. It is the mother church for the city and a church was opened on this site in May 1784. Following the relaxation of some of the Penal Laws, it was the only Catholic church in the then town of Belfast. Visitors to the site can find a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes within the church grounds. It remains a significant Catholic church building in Northern Ireland.
Let me show you Divis Street, which is the lower section of the Falls Road. Here you will find Divis Tower, an apartment building that stands 200 feet, or 60 metres, tall. This 19-floor tower in Belfast, Northern Ireland, had its inception in 1966. If you look around the city skyline, you can pick out this landmark as the fifteenth-tallest building in Belfast. It is a prominent sight for anyone walking through this part of town, and I often see it from the air while I'm gliding over the city.
You are not looking at an active correctional facility. This is Crumlin Road Gaol, a defunct prison and museum situated on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It had its inception in 1846 and is now a Grade A listed building. I can tell you that since 1996, it has been the only remaining Victorian era former prison in Northern Ireland. It is a heavy piece of history to walk through, though I usually prefer the view from the rooftops.
You will first notice the Romanesque Revival architecture of Saint Anne's Cathedral. Located in Donegall Street, this Anglican or Episcopal cathedral is the focal point of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. It is a Grade A listed building that was started in 1904. Sir Thomas Drew was the architect of the structure, which serves two separate dioceses. The building is a primary landmark for visitors exploring the area, providing a clear sense of the city's architectural history and its religious administration within the region.
You might think of this spot as just a concert hall, but it is actually a multi-purpose hall. Located at 34 Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, Ulster Hall is a Grade A listed building with an inception in 1862. It is a versatile space that hosts a wide variety of events, including classical recitals, concerts, craft fairs, and political party conferences. I've found it's a great place to see how different parts of city life overlap in one building.
Founded in 1980, the Crescent Arts Centre is an arts centre based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This Grade B+ listed building is a hub for creativity, hosting community outreach programmes and classes in music, dance, verbal arts, and visual arts. If you visit, you can find the dance studio named after Helen Lewis. It is also the home of the annual June Belfast Book Festival. I've noticed the energy here is always high when the students are arriving for their lessons.
The Ulster Museum is a national museum located in Belfast. You can find it in the Botanic Gardens, where it provides around 8,000 square metres of public display space for visitors to explore. Its inception was in 1929. It is the largest museum in Northern Ireland and operates as one of the components of National Museums Northern Ireland. I find the surrounding gardens a great place to stretch your wings and get your bearings before heading inside to see the exhibits. It is a substantial site that holds a place of prominence in the local community.
This is not just another stage for visiting troupes. The Lyric Theatre is the principal, full-time producing theatre in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located right here in the city, this theatre building is a central hub for local performance and production. Its quality is well-regarded in the industry, as the venue won The Stage's Theatre of the Year award in January 2023. I have seen plenty of folks linger around the entrance waiting for the doors to open, and it is always a treat to see the crowd gathering for a show.
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden. It provides a green escape within the city and has been a part of the local area since its inception in 1828. I find it is one of the best places to stretch your legs after a long walk through the streets, especially if you want to see how a botanical garden differs from a standard city park. It is a welcoming spot for anyone visiting the city to stop and take a breath.