"OCEANS IN MIND" 

This is a three year project currently in its 3rd and final year.

Its aim was to create an archive of oral/visual reminiscences by interviewing a wide range of the citizens of Belfast, and beyond, whose lives and/or life's work was intimately bound up with the River Lagan and the Port of Belfast.
Shipbuilding was, of course, a major industry and at the turn of the 19th/20th century Belfast proudly boasted the largest and best shipyard in the world (Harland & Wolff) where the most famous and iconic ship of all time was built and launched.... R.M.S. Titanic.

Its important to remember that, athough the Titanic has become a global brand name exploited by memorabilia magnates the world over, and although she was the pride of Belfast, she was only one of a magnificent cast of thousands proudly crafted in the shipyards on the shores of Belfast Lough. This project aims to draw attention to the many other wonderful ships and innovative technologies that were created by the men of Harland & Wolff and to celebrate their pride in their workmanship and the culture that grew up around their work. 

Similarly, shipping itself was a major Belfast industry and still is today....20% of trade of the entire island of Ireland and 60% of Northern Ireland's trade comes through the Port of Belfast... representing over 6,000 vessels annually and approximately 1.2 million passengers

Many other Belfast industries were also world leaders in their day, including ropeworks and linen... all bound up with the city's maritime roots and trade routes.

The 'Oceans in Mind' project has been a huge success, far outstripping original projections, generating hundreds of hours of taped interviews with the rapidly disappearing last generation of shipyard workers, hundreds of newspaper articles and hours of related Radio and Television programmes and events. 

Visitors to this website will soon have access to the data collected by 'Oceans in Mind' via the maritime heritage database currently being developed