Exploring The Town Of Carrickfergus - Northern Ireland - Carrickfergus Attractions / Castle & Town
Are you trying to explore Northern Ireland and visit most of its towns to see the beauty of it? Let's take you through a small tour this time where you could know more about Carrickfergus and the things you could do there.
Carrickfergus is a large town in county Antrim, Northern Ireland that is sometimes also referred to as Carrick and it is actually the oldest town in county Antrim and one of the oldest when it comes to Northern Ireland as a whole. Carrickfergus sits on the north shore of Belfast Lough and it is a town land of 65 acre, a civil parish and a barony.
From where did the name Carrickfergus actually come? It is believed that the name of this town in Northern Ireland comes from Fergus Mor (Fergus the Great), the legendary king of Dál Riata. Back in time, Carrickfergus actually predated Belfast which is now the capital of Northern Ireland and it was even considered larger than the nearby city. The interesting thing is that back in time, Carrickfergus and the surrounding area was actually treated as a separate county back in the old days. (
One of the top landmarks of Carrickfergus town is Carrickfergus Castle, which was built back by John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman knight who invaded Ulster and established his headquarters. This castle is built on the rock of Fergus and it is known as one of the best preserved Norman castles in Ireland. (
Carrickfergus Castle is considered the most famous when it comes to the attractions and landmarks of this town, but there are a couple of things to be kept in mind for those visiting it in order not to leave without checking them. The castle will stand on top of the list, but there is also Belfast Lough and sitting just by it, there is Ulster Folk and Transport Museum ( there is also Flame Gasworks and Shaftesbury Park.
Walking through the streets of the town could get you introduced to some other important attractions found there, such as Carrickfergus Marina, The Knights statue, U.S. Rangers Centre and Carrickfergus Town Walls.
Being a famous big town found in Northern Ireland and having different landmarks that call out for the visitors to go to and check, we have to mention that Carrickfergus has also left its mark on a song that was also named Carrickfergus. Carrickfergus song was released in 1965 and was first recorded under the name The Kerry Boatman by Dominic Behan on an LP called The Irish Rover. This song was recorded one more time afterwards by the Clancy brothers.
The meaning of the name Carrickfergus is rock of Fergus and this goes back to King Fergus who was the one to find Carrickfergus and who was shipwrecked off the coast at a strategic position on a rocky spur above the harbour, and that is exactly where Carrickfergus Castle is actually located now, the castle that played a great role in the history of Northern Ireland.
This is one of the different suggested ideas that we are offering for those coming to Northern Ireland and want to make a different plan and visit different towns, not just the capital city Belfast ( From the other suggested places that we would like to offer and recommend, there is Armagh City ( there is Lisburn City ( there is Bushmills Town ( there is Portadown Town ( there is also Carnlough fishing village ( there is Letterkenny which is also known as the Cathedral Town ( and lots of other towns and cities which are scattered all around Northern Ireland and which every single one of them is calling out for visitors in its own way and with its different attractions.
Every single country you are travelling to has its towns and cities which are attracting the tourists and visitors to them and that is exactly the same reason why planning for a trip and digging deep behind the places that might not be that famous is considered one important thing to do and always keep in mind.
On our channel, you will find lots of recommended places that one could go to in Northern Ireland to make a trip more significant. These places include cities, towns, landmarks, festivals and every other thing that might be considered part of Northern Ireland.
Have you ever been to Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland before? Did you know about Carrickfergus song or have you ever been to Carrickfergus Castle? Let us know more about your stories in this old town. If its your first time to know all this information, then put it in your plan.
Exploring The Town Of Carrickfergus - Northern Ireland - Carrickfergus Attractions / Castle & Town
6 Carrickfegus Castle, LADY AFFRECA wife of John de Courcy
Here we are in the inner courtyard or inner ward of Carrickfergus Castle and here we have Lady Affreca daughter of Godred King of the Isle of Man and wife of adventurer and Knight John de Courcy.
It is believed that she founded Greyabbey in 1193 in gratitude to God for her safe landing after a stormy sea crossing.
This inner ward would obviously have changed considerably since the days of Lady Affreca.
Carrickfergus Town Co Antrim Northern Ireland
A brief walk around Carrickfergus (Carrick as its known here)...
FlyBE landing in Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe
Belfast is the capital of, and largest city in, Northern Ireland. Most of Belfast is in County Antrim, but parts of East and South Belfast are in County Down. It is on the flood plain of the River Lagan. By population, it is the fourteenth largest city in the United Kingdom and second largest on the island of Ireland. It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly. The city of Belfast has a population of 281,000 and lies at the heart of the Belfast urban area, which has a population of 579,276. The Larger Urban Zone, as defined by the European Union, has a total population 641,638. Belfast was granted city status in 1888. Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry (earning the nickname Linenopolis), tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding: the city's main shipbuilders, Harland and Wolff, which built the well-known RMS Titanic, propelled Belfast on to the global stage in the early 20th century as the biggest and most productive shipyard in the world. Belfast played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, establishing its place as a global industrial centre until the latter half of the 20th century. Industrialisation and the inward migration it brought made Belfast, if briefly, the biggest city in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century and the city's industrial and economic success was cited by Ulster unionist opponents of Home Rule as a reason why Ireland should shun devolution and later why Ulster in particular would fight to resist it. Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business, a legal centre, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of conflict called the Troubles, but latterly has undergone a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. Belfast city centre has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, notably around Victoria Square. Belfast is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport in the city, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. Belfast is also a major port, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard. Belfast is a constituent city of the Dublin-Belfast corridor, which has a population of three million, or half the total population of the island of Ireland. The site of Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze Age. The Giant's Ring, a 5,000-year-old henge, is located near the city, and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Belfast remained a small settlement of little importance during the Middle Ages. John de Courcy built a castle on what is now Castle Street in the city centre in the 12th century, but this was on a lesser scale and not as strategically important as Carrickfergus Castle to the north, which was built by de Courcy in 1177. The O'Neill clan had a presence in the area. In the 14th century, Cloinne Aodha Buidhe, descendants of Aodh Buidhe O'Neill built Grey Castle at Castlereagh, now in the east of the city. Conn O'Neill of the Clannaboy O'Neills owned vast lands in the area and was the last inhabitant of Grey Castle, one remaining link being the Conn's Water river flowing through east Belfast. The site of Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze Age. The Giant's Ring, a 5,000-year-old henge, is located near the city, and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Belfast remained a small settlement of little importance during the Middle Ages. John de Courcy built a castle on what is now Castle Street in the city centre in the 12th century, but this was on a lesser scale and not as strategically important as Carrickfergus Castle to the north, which was built by de Courcy in 1177. The O'Neill clan had a presence in the area. In the 14th century, Cloinne Aodha Buidhe, descendants of Aodh Buidhe O'Neill built Grey Castle at Castlereagh, now in the east of the city. Conn O'Neill of the Clannaboy O'Neills owned vast lands in the area and was the last inhabitant of Grey Castle, one remaining link being the Conn's Water river flowing through east Belfast. Belfast became a substantial settlement in the 17th century after being established as a town by Sir Arthur Chichester, which was initially settled by Protestant English and Scottish migrants at the time of the Plantation of Ulster.
Belvoir Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland ????????????
Belvoir Park Belfast - The Forest in the City. Have you ever been there?
Belvoir Park Belfast is located near the city of Belfast, the Belvoir Park Forest is rife with wildlife, including Large Bracket Fungi and flowering plants, such as the Giant Hogweed, as well as birds such as the Long-eared Owls, and mammals such as the red squirrels.
Managed by the Forest Service, Belvoir Park Forest walks within the forest link to the Lagan River 'Towpath' and the Lagan Valley Regional Park (
It is close to Belvoir Park Golf Club, Belvoir Park Hospital and Forestside Shopping Centre and it is open to visitors 24 hours a day.
Interesting Landmarks
• Belvoir Motte
The Belvoir motte dates back to the Norman era when John de Courcy invaded Ulster and established settlements at Dundrum and Carrickfergus. The motes were set up as defense against the southern approaches to Carrickfergus.
• Woodland
The Belvoir Park Forest is home to almost thirty-five species of birds, including common resident species, such as blackbird, song thrush, robin and woodpigeon and more unusual species such as jay and long-eared owl.
• Medieval Graveyard
A private graveyard is located within the Park and has been in there since the 14th century. Currently, it holds the empty tomb of the Dungannon family.
• Arboretum
The previous estate owners, the Dungannons and Batesons, planted many trees in park. Thanks to them, there are now numerous mature specimens of trees, such as redwood and cedar.
History of Belvoir Park Belfast
The Hill family settled at Belvoir in the early 18th century and built a large house that stood on the site of the current car park. In the 19th century, the Hill family sold the estate to the Batesons, whose son became Lord Deramore in 1885. The Deramores returned to England at the end of the 19th century and leased the estate to Walter H Wilson, a partner with Harland and Wolff. The last private tenant at Belvoir was Sir James Johnston, who was the Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1917-18.
“Belvoir’s trees are living landmarks, home to thousands of species of plants and animals, yet sadly lacking the recognition they deserve”, says Nikki Williams, Ancient Tree Hunt project manager. She also adds that “anyone can visit the web site and add their discoveries. Identifying their whereabouts is an important first step in securing their future - both for the benefit of wildlife and for the enjoyment of generations to come... We want to give as many people as possible in Northern Ireland the chance to get to grips with our remarkable old trees, and Belvoir Park Forest provides the perfect venue. With its extensive parkland and woodland, Belvoir is home to an impressive number of veteran trees which have seen centuries come and go. This event is brimming with activity. It’s a chance to learn how to identify and record our ancient trees, and it’s also an opportunity to simply enjoy the beauty of woodland. We have a creative agenda in store for kids as well, so there’s something for all the family.”
Definitely worth visiting Belvoir Forest - there are not too many forests of this size and diversity in Belfast.
Nearby Attractions
• Space CRAFT
Space CRAFT is a shop, gallery and exhibition area owned and managed by the Craft and Design Collective that sells products made by locals.
• Northern Ireland War Memorial
The exhibition features WWII memorials by shedding light on the Home Front, the Belfast blitz of 1941 and the presence of US forces from 1942 to 1944.
The museum showcases a variety of historical objects, including uniforms, photographs and oral histories, as well as the names of the 1100 men, women and children who lost their lives in the Belfast blitz.
There are various original artworks on display; a stained glass memorial window by Stanley Murray Scott, a copper frieze commemorating the vital war industries in N.Ireland, an original portrait of James Magennis VC and a bronze sculpture by John Sherlock.
These different Belfast attractions come in addition to the parks that are found in the city and which prove that Northern Ireland is one of those countries around the world that enjoy a greenery space and thus welcomes tourists to it. Those parks which we could mention some of them now include the Botanic Gardens in Belfast ( Ormeau Park ( Victoria Park ( Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park ( and many others found in Northern Ireland as well.
Belfast parks are numerous, you just have to know which one is the closest to your location and choose to go and visit it, otherwise you will spend your vacation in Belfast visiting parks.
The best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Belvoir Park Belfast - One of the Parks in Belfast City
Belvoir Park Belfast - The Forest in the City. Have you ever been there?
Belvoir Park Belfast is located near the city of Belfast, the Belvoir Park Forest is rife with wildlife, including Large Bracket Fungi and flowering plants, such as the Giant Hogweed, as well as birds such as the Long-eared Owls, and mammals such as the red squirrels.
Managed by the Forest Service, Belvoir Park Forest walks within the forest link to the Lagan River 'Towpath' and the Lagan Valley Regional Park (
It is close to Belvoir Park Golf Club, Belvoir Park Hospital and Forestside Shopping Centre and it is open to visitors 24 hours a day.
Interesting Landmarks
• Belvoir Motte
The Belvoir motte dates back to the Norman era when John de Courcy invaded Ulster and established settlements at Dundrum and Carrickfergus. The motes were set up as defense against the southern approaches to Carrickfergus.
• Woodland
The Belvoir Park Forest is home to almost thirty-five species of birds, including common resident species, such as blackbird, song thrush, robin and woodpigeon and more unusual species such as jay and long-eared owl.
• Medieval Graveyard
A private graveyard is located within the Park and has been in there since the 14th century. Currently, it holds the empty tomb of the Dungannon family.
• Arboretum
The previous estate owners, the Dungannons and Batesons, planted many trees in park. Thanks to them, there are now numerous mature specimens of trees, such as redwood and cedar.
History of Belvoir Park Belfast
The Hill family settled at Belvoir in the early 18th century and built a large house that stood on the site of the current car park. In the 19th century, the Hill family sold the estate to the Batesons, whose son became Lord Deramore in 1885. The Deramores returned to England at the end of the 19th century and leased the estate to Walter H Wilson, a partner with Harland and Wolff. The last private tenant at Belvoir was Sir James Johnston, who was the Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1917-18.
“Belvoir’s trees are living landmarks, home to thousands of species of plants and animals, yet sadly lacking the recognition they deserve”, says Nikki Williams, Ancient Tree Hunt project manager. She also adds that “anyone can visit the web site and add their discoveries. Identifying their whereabouts is an important first step in securing their future - both for the benefit of wildlife and for the enjoyment of generations to come... We want to give as many people as possible in Northern Ireland the chance to get to grips with our remarkable old trees, and Belvoir Park Forest provides the perfect venue. With its extensive parkland and woodland, Belvoir is home to an impressive number of veteran trees which have seen centuries come and go. This event is brimming with activity. It’s a chance to learn how to identify and record our ancient trees, and it’s also an opportunity to simply enjoy the beauty of woodland. We have a creative agenda in store for kids as well, so there’s something for all the family.”
Definitely worth visiting Belvoir Forest - there are not too many forests of this size and diversity in Belfast.
Nearby Attractions
• Space CRAFT
Space CRAFT is a shop, gallery and exhibition area owned and managed by the Craft and Design Collective that sells products made by locals.
• Northern Ireland War Memorial
The exhibition features WWII memorials by shedding light on the Home Front, the Belfast blitz of 1941 and the presence of US forces from 1942 to 1944.
The museum showcases a variety of historical objects, including uniforms, photographs and oral histories, as well as the names of the 1100 men, women and children who lost their lives in the Belfast blitz.
There are various original artworks on display; a stained glass memorial window by Stanley Murray Scott, a copper frieze commemorating the vital war industries in N.Ireland, an original portrait of James Magennis VC and a bronze sculpture by John Sherlock.
These different Belfast attractions come in addition to the parks that are found in the city and which prove that Northern Ireland is one of those countries around the world that enjoy a greenery space and thus welcomes tourists to it. Those parks which we could mention some of them now include the Botanic Gardens in Belfast ( Ormeau Park ( Victoria Park ( Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park ( and many others found in Northern Ireland as well.
Belfast parks are numerous, you just have to know which one is the closest to your location and choose to go and visit it, otherwise you will spend your vacation in Belfast visiting parks.
The best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.
Titanic Symphony Version HD 1080p R.I.P. James Horner!
R.I.P. James Horner!
When the times are difficult, I listen to this and one hour goes like in a minute..Thanks
May God bless all the people who are involved in making this video
Belfast (/ˈbɛl.fɑːst/ or /ˈbɛl.fæst/; from Irish: Béal Feirste, meaning mouth of the sandbanks)[11] is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Most of Belfast, including the city centre, is in County Antrim, but parts of East and South Belfast are in County Down. It is on the flood plain of the River Lagan.[12] The city's motto is Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus (roughly Latin for what shall we give in return for so much).[13]
Although the county borough of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1888,[27] the city continues to be viewed as straddling County Antrim and County Down.[28]The site of Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze Age. The Giant's Ring, a 5,000-year-old henge, is located near the city,[29] and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Belfast remained a small settlement of little importance during the Middle Ages. John de Courcy built a castle on what is now Castle Street in the city centre in the 12th century, but this was on a lesser scale and not as strategically important as Carrickfergus Castle to the north, which was built by de Courcy in 1177. The O'Neill clan had a presence in the area.
In the 14th century, Cloinne Aodha Buidhe, descendants of Aodh Buidhe O'Neill built Grey Castle at Castlereagh, now in the east of the city.[30] Conn O'Neill of the Clannaboy O'Neills owned vast lands in the area and was the last inhabitant of Grey Castle, one remaining link being the Conn's Water river flowing through east Belfast.[31]Belfast became a substantial settlement in the 17th century after being established as a town by Sir Arthur Chichester,[32] which was initially settled by Protestant English and Scottish migrants at the time of the Plantation of Ulster. (Belfast and County Antrim, however, did not form part of this particular Plantation scheme as they were privately colonised.) In 1791, the Society of United Irishmen was founded in Belfast, after Henry Joy McCracken and other prominent Presbyterians from the city invited Theobald Wolfe Tone and Thomas Russell to a meeting, after having read Tone's Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland.[33] Evidence of this period of Belfast's growth can still be seen in the oldest areas of the city, known as the Entries.
Belfast blossomed as a commercial and industrial centre in the 18th and 19th centuries and became Ireland's pre-eminent industrial city. Industries thrived, including linen, rope-making, tobacco, heavy engineering and shipbuilding, and at the end of the 19th century, Belfast briefly overtook Dublin as the largest city in Ireland. The Harland and Wolff shipyards became one of the largest shipbuilders in the world, employing up to 35,000 workers.[34] In 1886 the city suffered intense riots over the issue of home rule, which had divided the city.[35]
In 1920–22, Belfast became the capital of the new entity of Northern Ireland as the island of Ireland was partitioned. The accompanying conflict (the Irish War of Independence) cost up to 500 lives in Belfast, the bloodiest sectarian strife in the city until the Troubles of the late 1960s onwards.[36]
Belfast | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Belfast
00:02:08 1 Name
00:03:30 2 History
00:03:51 2.1 Origins
00:04:54 2.2 Growth
00:06:55 2.3 The Troubles
00:08:33 2.4 21st century
00:08:59 3 Governance
00:09:36 3.1 Local government
00:11:45 3.2 Northern Ireland Assembly and Westminster
00:12:53 4 Geography
00:15:29 4.1 Climate
00:18:52 4.2 Areas and districts
00:22:43 5 Cityscape
00:22:52 5.1 Architecture
00:25:48 5.2 Parks and gardens
00:29:17 6 Demography
00:33:02 7 Economy
00:36:35 7.1 Industrial growth
00:38:55 8 Infrastructure
00:39:56 8.1 Utilities
00:41:18 8.2 Health care
00:42:29 8.3 Transport
00:47:18 9 Culture
00:52:13 9.1 Media
00:54:11 9.2 Sports
00:57:49 10 Notable people
00:57:58 11 Education
01:00:36 12 Tourism
01:02:12 13 Twin towns – sister cities
01:02:43 14 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste) is a city in the United Kingdom and the capital city of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast of Ireland. It is the largest city in Northern Ireland and second largest on the island of Ireland. It had a population of 333,871 in 2015.By the early 1800s Belfast was a major port. It played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, becoming the biggest linen producer in the world, earning it the nickname Linenopolis. By the time it was granted city status in 1888, it was a major centre of Irish linen production, tobacco-processing and rope-making. Shipbuilding was also a key industry; the Harland and Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was built, was the world's biggest shipyard. It also has a major aerospace and missiles industry. Industrialisation and the inward migration it brought made Belfast Ireland's biggest city and it became the capital of Northern Ireland following the Partition of Ireland in 1922. Its status as a global industrial centre ended in the decades after the Second World War.
Belfast suffered greatly in the Troubles, and in the 1970s and 1980s was one of the world's most dangerous cities. However, the city is now considered to be one of the safest within the United Kingdom. Throughout the 21st century, the city has seen a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years and has benefitted from substantial economic and commercial growth. Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education, business, and law, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. Belfast is still a major port, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard. It is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. It is listed by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) as a Gamma minus global city.
Belfast | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
00:02:33 1 Name
00:04:02 2 History
00:04:24 2.1 Origins
00:05:34 2.2 Growth
00:07:53 2.3 The Troubles
00:09:40 2.4 21st century
00:10:40 3 Governance
00:11:20 3.1 Local government
00:13:41 3.2 Northern Ireland Assembly and Westminster
00:14:55 4 Geography
00:17:45 4.1 Climate
00:21:29 4.2 Areas and districts
00:25:50 5 Cityscape
00:25:59 5.1 Architecture
00:29:30 5.2 Parks and gardens
00:33:20 6 Demography
00:37:24 7 Economy
00:41:16 7.1 Industrial growth
00:43:49 8 Infrastructure
00:44:55 8.1 Utilities
00:46:24 8.2 Health care
00:47:41 8.3 Transport
00:53:34 9 Culture
00:58:56 9.1 Media
01:01:05 9.2 Sports
01:05:05 10 Notable people
01:05:15 11 Education
01:08:06 12 Tourism
01:10:46 13 Twin towns – sister cities
01:11:20 14 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
Listen on Google Assistant through Extra Audio:
Other Wikipedia audio articles at:
Upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
Speaking Rate: 0.9558996121476204
Voice name: en-US-Wavenet-C
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Belfast (; from Irish: Béal Feirste, meaning mouth of the Farset) is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast of Ireland. It is the largest city in Northern Ireland and second-largest on the island of Ireland, after Dublin. It had a population of 333,871 as of 2015.By the early 19th century, Belfast became a major port. It played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, becoming the biggest linen-producer in the world, earning it the nickname Linenopolis. By the time it was granted city status in 1888, it was a major centre of Irish linen production, tobacco-processing and rope-making. Shipbuilding was also a key industry; the Harland and Wolff shipyard, which built the RMS Titanic, was the world's biggest shipyard. Belfast as of 2019 has a major aerospace and missiles industry. Industrialisation and the inward migration it brought made Belfast Ireland's biggest city and it became the capital of Northern Ireland following the Partition of Ireland in 1922. Its status as a global industrial centre ended in the decades after the Second World War of 1939–1945.
Belfast suffered greatly in the Troubles: in the 1970s and 1980s it was one of the world's most dangerous cities. However, a survey conducted by a finance company and published in 2016 rated the city as one of the safest within the United Kingdom. Throughout the 21st century, the city has seen a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and has benefitted from substantial economic and commercial growth. Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as for the arts, higher education, business, and law, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. Belfast is still a major port, with commercial and industrial docks, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard, dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline. It is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) listed Belfast as a Gamma global city in 2018.