I spend two days here recently, and wish it could have been more! Not just because I discovered my inner archive nerd, but really because of the quality of the staff and the building. Such a wonderful facility, with records in prime condition. I came to understand the care and management that this material needs. We as visitors play our part in returning the archives to the enthusiastic and caring staff in the same condition and order that it came out - all in order, book spines undamaged and so on.
Archives can seem strange and intimidating until you get used to them. 'What right do I have to be here?'. The archivists couldn't have been more helpful in guiding me through the process - thank you to them.
I shouldn't miss out the café - great coffee and scones to die for! The building sits in the stunning Titanic Quarter. Between that, and walks along the Lagan into the city, you get a strong sense of Belfast's tremendous industrial heritage, comparable to Glasgow and contrasting with the Georgian architectural beauty of Dublin. I look forward to see more of Ireland - all 32 counties, north and south!