What To Expect
The beautiful Baroque style Hall with its 4 towers and gleaming copper dome dominates the architectural landscape of Belfast. The premises covers an area of one and a half acres and has the gorgeous Titanic Memorial standing on its ground along with gardens and other statuary.
There is a lot to see inside too like the Grand Staircase, Great Hall, Reception Room and the Porte Cochere, No expenses were spared to create this majestic structure… you will notice an abundance of gilt, Carrara and Brescia marble as well as marvellous stained glass windows inside. Beautiful representations of Queen Victoria and William iii besides the Belfast Coat of Arms grace the interiors. Marriages, deaths and civic partnerships are registered here and the City Hall hosts weddings and other landmark events while citizens of Belfast come and picnic on its grounds.
The beautiful hall sits in Donegall Square at the heart of the City Centre and effectively divides the commercial and residential sides of the city. It’s a good idea for anyone who visits Belfast for the first time to see Belfast City Hall first before the other city attractions; it is like a free comprehensive history lesson about the city.
History
Symbolically, the Belfast City Hall marks the recognition of this booming maritime town in 1888 as a ‘City’ by Queen Victoria. It was then that the City Hall was conceptualised through its doors are thrown open on August 1906. It was Alfred Brumwell Thomas who designed the City Hall later in Baroque style and it took a whopping 369, 000 pounds to complete it (Belfast citizens are rather proud of the fact).
As with most other parts of Belfast, Titanic has a strong connection to the City Hall and that explains the Titanic memorial and garden here. Turns out that Viscount William Pirrie the mayor of Belfast (1896 to 1897, just before the City Hall was built) was also the Harland and Wolff Shipyard managing director. The Titanic’s carving panelling and fabric finishes of its lounges and its fit-outs are similar to those of the City Hall; the same workmen were used in both.
Incidentally, the Belfast Coat of Arms (prominently displayed in many places inside the Hall) with its two seahorses (denoting the importance of marine industry) was also conceptualised in 1890 when the town got a Grant of Arms by Ulster King of Arms. The City Hall opened to the public in 1906.
Top Sights & Attractions
The first thing that you should do is to take a picture of the Belfast City Hall from Royal Avenue; this offers the best shot. If you are entering through the front gates then do pause to see the grand front gate which bears the City Coat of Arms flanked by two beautiful lamps with seahorses and cherubs.
And if you are visiting after daylight hours and it’s a special day like Valentines Day or the Chinese New Year then its fun to see the City Hall decked up in different colour schemes; all LED environment-friendly lights of course!! Post 15th November the City Hall is lighted up till New Year in spectacular colourful lights.
As you enter through the beautiful entrance hall, look up to see a beautiful oculus that lets you see right inside the main dome. The City Hall is equally beautiful on the outside with its splendid Portland stone body and copper dome as its marble decked interiors.
Stained Glass Windows
Not only is the stained glass window collection of the City Hall remarkable for its beauty but it also chronicles important historical events and the contributions of various groups of individuals/ groups/ organisations to the history of Belfast.
The window groups that grace the Grand staircase, Principal rooms, east staircase and chamber date back to 1906. The oldest and the most historically significant stained glass windows are on the first floor and can only be viewed on a tour. The North East and North West wing corridors that radiate out from the reception areas have the newer windows.
The windows are named after events or organisations like the ‘Belfast Women’s Window’ (women’s contribution to the development of Belfast’s future) and the British Army Window (the British army has served Belfast province since 1969).
Then there are fascinating ones like the ‘Celtic Myths and Legends window’ (inspired by folktale Cattle Raid of Cooley’) and Whispering Gallery windows (the windows in the dome represent 12 signs of the Zodiac).
The windows in the great Hall were almost reduced to rubble by a Nazi bomb in 1941. These are now completely restored and represent Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht (Irish provinces) with 3 British monarchs (William iii, Edward VII and Victoria).
The 7 East Staircase windows have the shields of Ulster, Belfast and Ireland inscribed on them while the Grand Staircase has the most extensive window collection… there are 21 of them representing important figures of Irish history and monarchy and each has a tablet explaining the significance of the window. The docker’s strike, famine and scenes from the troubles are also represented through the windows.
Don’t miss the Centenary window on the northeast corridor ground floor; this celebrates all milestones seen by the City Hall during the last 100 years. You will see imagery of the Harland and Wolff cranes, Salmon of knowledge, Skyvans, Massey Ferguson tractors, Waterfront Hall inside one huge window.
Lower and Upper-Level Rooms
The Grand staircase made of Carrara marble is very pretty in itself and you will feel like posing for a picture on it. The upper-level rooms that the staircase leads up to are usually not open to the public though some can be accessed through guided tours.
The lower level has many interesting artefacts too along with short films of the 19th century that show what life was like in Belfast. Don’t miss looking at the lovely silver freedom casket that belonged to the White Star Line founder and a mini model of the Titanic. There is a plaque that lists all of Belfast’s milestones since 1910 that include the biggest linen mills, tobacco factories, engineering works, shipyard and dry dock.
The ground floor of the City Hall East Wing has an Exhibition space that has enriched content about the history of the City Hall. An audio tour in 8 languages including English, Irish, French, German, Spanish etc. is available (you have to pay 3.50 pounds for the headphones). Alternatively, you can buy a knowledge booklet for 1 pound.
The exhibition area stretches across 16 themed rooms and has pictures, blowouts, infographics, posters, letters and some audiovisual content in them all showing the city’s journey from the past to present. Look out for the original round table that was used to sign the Ulster Covenant; this is one of the most important displays.
Then there is a mahogany desk that was supposed to be gracing the Titanic but it was never completed. There is even a separate reflection space and the last of the 16 rooms is near Bobbin’s Coffeeshop (convenient placement). A good way to save money on the audio tour is to install the ‘Belfast City Hall’ app on your mobile… a multi-language audio tour can be downloaded there for 1.99 pounds.
There is a lot more to the City Hall apart from its exhibition space and famous grand staircase and hall. To see the whole building comprehensively (especially the upper floor) book a guided tour; this will let you explore the first floor (otherwise not accessible) and its beautiful function rooms (used for marriages and events) and the lavish Council Chamber with its velvet upholstery and throne-like chairs. The Chamber contains a glass case showing off gifts from all across the world and there is a silver-covered Tanach with the words of the Torah in it, that’s particularly fascinating.
Then there is the rather ostentatious ballroom and the robing room (Lord Mayor’s chain of office and robes of office are displayed here) which will give you an idea of the wealth and power of Belfast in its heydays. You can sit inside the chambers and admire the Italian and Greek marble finishes. In the Robe room, you will be allowed to try on the robes.
You can also peek into the Reception Room which is used to handle seated dinners. The guided tours explain a lot of unknown facts about the City hall artwork. There are rows and rows of magnificently executed portraits of Mayors and the guide will tell you about their actual personalities vs. their public personas. All the mayors got to choose their artists and the paintings are done in vastly different styles.
Gardens and Memorials
The perfectly manicured lawns of the City Hall contain many informative and recreational areas. Titanic Memorial Garden and Plaque are some of the newer parts of the premise; it’s a 2 levelled structure. The upper level is a long plinth with 15 bronze plaques containing the names of the victims of the Titanic debacle… all 1512 victims. This is the only monument to contain all the names of the Titanic casualties including crew in one place… the monument has now earned the name ‘The Belfast List’.
The lower level is pretty and grass-covered and goes around the Titanic monument… even the spring flowers planted here evokes memories of ice, water and memories of the sunken ship. The Titanic monument is well known for being the last work of Thomas Brock… it’s a beautiful representation of fate/ death looking down at nymphs rising from waves with the body of a dead sailor in their arms.
The City Hall has lovely manicured lawns that are dotted over with dedications to people and events that had a deep connection to the city. There are memorials to Edward Harland, Eliza Ward Plaque, James Haslett, Queen Victoria, Danial Dixon, RJ Mc Mordie, Seaman Magennis apart from other luminaries. The 9/11 Memorial plaque and tree, Operation Banner Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the granite USA Expeditionary Force Memorial column also grace the grounds.
Facilities and Amenities
One of the best things about City Hall is its facilities. There are unisex and fully accessible toilets on the ground floor of the east foyer. There is a family room here too and baby changing facilities besides changing facilities and dog spend area. There are ramps at the front and rear entrances and automatic door openers are placed in all major access routes. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available on request making the City Hall accessible for visitors with disabilities.
This is a working City Hall and yet the staff is exceptionally friendly and make sure that all visitors feel welcomed. The guards are also more than willing to point out directions and dole out helpful nuggets of information. There is plenty of signage around so making your way around the DIY way is not a problem.
Bobbin’s coffee shop is a good place to have some coffee and snacks. It is also inspiring that most of the efficient café staff have some form of learning disability or autism/ Aspergers etc… City Hall Belfast is a good example of inclusiveness.
There is a gift shop stocking interesting City Hall centred souvenirs, gift items, postcards etc.
Around December second week, the City Hall Christmas market sets in and this is the biggest Christmas sale of Christmas goodies, chocolates, gift items etc. there are plenty of food stalls: churros, burgers, cakes, sausages, hog roasts and lots of mulled wine. There are even funfair rides, carousels and handicraft sellers.
And who can resist shopping against such a lovely backdrop; the City hall is decked up in its Christmas light and there is a huge Christmas tree sitting outside. In May the spring continental market sits here and that’s also pretty phenomenal. Usually, there are stalls from all across the world then; Germany, Poland, France, Greece etc. apart from local specialities.
Open Hours
The City Hall Building is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The City Hall grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winters (1st October to 31st May) and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summers (1 May to 30 September)
The exhibition area and gift shop are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Bobbin Coffee Shop is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets & Tours
Entry to the City Hall is free; another great reason for you to put it in your must-visit list.
Free Public tours are conducted by the City Hall authorities every day. The tours happen at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday and at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The tours take in people on a first come first served basis and visitors must register 15 minutes in advance. The tours usually start in the visitor exhibition area.
From Monday to Friday the tour timings are 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. while on the weekends the tours are held at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in summers there is an extra tour slot at 4 p.m. the tours will focus on the history of the city hall, architecture and significance of its art (stained windows, memorials etc.). The stained glass window art also holds ambiguous messages and old pieces of history that only a guide can help decode.
Most guides are history students or very knowledgeable locals and the tours are almost always very enriching which is why you should be generous when the donation box comes around. To make sure that you are on the tour register at the helpdesk as soon as you enter.
For a nice combined tour of City Hall along with several other great attractions in Belfast, you can book a guided tour from this Viator website.
How to Reach
For reaching Belfast City hall, you can take the Translink train service from Belfast City Centre. Get down at Lanyon Place Station and Great Victoria Street Station are both walking distance from the City Hall. The Belfast City Airport is 15 minutes drive away from the City Hall and 30 minutes drive away from City Hall.
City Hall
Donegall Square, Belfast
Phone: 028 9027 0456; Website
Eateries Nearby
After you have explored the City Hall thoroughly, consider dropping in at Café Parisien for some French nibbles and coffee… it is just 100 meters away from the Belfast City Hall. If you are craving for some good old burgers and fries then the Peanuts Smokehouse Barbeque at Quays Shopping Centre will suit you.
For British food Coco on Linehaul Street is recommended while YuGo on Wellington Street is well known for its Japanese cuisine. And if it is local food that you want then drop in to Made in Belfast that only serves locally sourced Irish cuisine.
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.