Transport Galleries
The Transport Galleries illustrates the history of all of the forms of transport used throughout Ireland. It covers the complete time span from the earliest recorded modes of transport through to the present day, and includes all forms of visual, oral or three-dimensional evidence.
We recommend that you allow sufficient time for your visit, at least 1 ½ hours. Suitable for all ages.
Irish Railway Gallery
The Irish Railway Collection illustrates the development of railways in Ireland during the 19th century and their impact on Irish life. The Collection, housed in a spectacular purpose-built gallery reminiscent of the great Victorian railway stations, includes locomotives and rolling stock from all over Ireland.
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Road Transport Galleries
The Road Transport Galleries chart the development and impact of land transport, with major sections on the bicycle, the motorcycle, the motorcar and various commercial vehicles.
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- Bicycle; The bicycle exhibition illustrates the development of the bicycle - the fastest and most efficient form of man-powered transport ever produced. This exhibition not only shows the museum’s fine collection of bicycles but also looks at the social effects of the bicycle: from being the plaything of the rich in the 1820s to being the poor man’s transport a hundred years later. Exhibits include the penny farthing and the bone shaker.
- Motorcycles; With the development of the safety bicycle and the internal combustion engine in the 1890s it was probably inevitable that the two should be put together. The exhibition follows the development of Ulster’s love affair with the motorcycle, with some emphasis on the successful careers of local motorcycle sportsmen.
- Road transport; A recreated cobbled street provides an authentic setting for a fine collection of trams that once trundled along the streets of Belfast. Early horse-drawn trams were replaced in the early years of the 20th century by electric trams, which provided public transport throughout the city until the 1960s. Commercial vehicles such as milk floats and horse drawn bread vans, fire engines and very early motor cars are featured.
- The motor car; If the 19th century was the age of horse transport, the 20th century was the age of the motor car. Styles changed, engineering developed and comfort levels for driver and passengers improved - from the old T Ford to the sleek elegance of the Belfast-built De Lorean, from the comic antics of Laurel and Hardy to "Back to the Future"- it can all be seen here under one roof.
General Transport Galleries
This building is located a short distance downhill from the main galleries and includes the gift shop.
- Early Transport; These galleries look at vehicles whose form predates the invention of the wheel e.g. ‘the slipe’. These early vehicles continued to be used in many parts of Ireland up to the 20th century as they best suited the conditions of the land and the needs of the people. This theme is continued with the development of wheeled vehicles, from farm carts to elegant carriages.
- Titanic; Titanic was designed and built in Belfast at Harland and Wolff and tragically sank on her maiden voyage in 1912. Since then the ship and the disaster have fascinated people around the world. The Titanic Exhibition is permanently on display in the Transport gallery. Read the newspaper headlines of the day as this tragic event unfolded. View the small 3-dimensional interpretions of life aboard the Titanic and see the original Harland & Wolff plans of the ship.
- X2 The Flight Experience; The Flight Experience is an interactive exhibition on aviation, with particular reference to the contribution of Ireland's only, and the world's oldest manufacturer of aircraft, Bombardier Shorts. Explore the history, science and technology of flight including the important role played by local pioneers.
- Full Motion Flight Simulator; The Full Motion Flight Simulator in the X2 Flight Experience gallery is suitable for all age groups. Children under 105 cms tall must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this is a ‘dynamic motion simulator’ and persons with the following conditions are advised not to ride: back or neck problems; claustrophobia or motion sickness; heart disease and associated conditions; women who are heavily pregnant; any person wishing to ride should be able to hold onto the safety grab rail and be physically capable of entering and exiting the simulator without assistance.