Belfast, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Belfast, Northern Ireland section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major GB, Ireland and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes and routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way. The Port of Belfast and that of Larne are both on the north east coast of Northern Ireland, in County Antrim. Belfast city, geographically, straddles both County Antrim and County Down

Port of Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Belfast is the captial of, and largest city in, Northern Ireland. Historically, the city was a major centre of the linen industry, of tobacco, rope-making and ship-building, enjoying both industrial and economic success. Famously, the ill-fated ship 'Titanic' was built in the Belfast shipyard of Harland and Wolff. During the 'Troubles', of the last 3 decades of the 20th century, Belfast was hurt badly by bomb damage, sectarian violence and radicalisation of the population but is now in a period of more peaceful economic and commercial development. The site on which the city stands has a history of occupancy going back to the Bronze Age. Near to the city is the Giant's Ring, dating back 5000 years. Evidence of hill forts from the Iron Age can be found in the hills which surround the city. By the mid 17th century Belfast was growing into a town of significant size. The growth in population was attributable largely to the high numbers of Protestants from Scotland and England who settled in the city at the same time as the 'Ulster Plantation' was taking place in other counties of the north.

Belfast is a city which enjoys the beauty of open spaces, parks, gardens and country parks, from the formality of the Botanic Gardens to the stunning Cave Hill Country Park. The parks and gardens, throughout the year, see numerous events and festivals. Over 40 public parks are to be found within Belfast and over 30 works of public art have been commissioned in the last 15 years. The Belfast Zoo is popular with many visitors to the city and has examples of many endangered species. It is involved in specialist breeding schemes to help ensure the species survival.