Belfast (City Centre) 

 

Visit Belfast City Website

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Historical notes about the City of Belfast (City Centre)

The City of Belfast

Capital city of Northern Ireland, in a broad amphitheatre of hills at the end of Belfast Lough. The centre is low lying and the most attractive parts are suburban. Though containing a few seemly Georgian buildings, Belfast is a modern city. Incorporated in 1613, then a small town at a ford, the city’s more rapid growth began at the close of the 18th century, and it is mainly a product of the Industrial Revolution; but, developing rather later than other British industrial cities, it has avoided some of their worst features. Modern buildings near the city centre worth a visit are the City Hall and the cathedral. On the outskirts of the city to the east, on a slope of the Holywood Hills, is the Parliament House where the Parliament of Northern Island meets. On the south of the city are the Museum and Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens and Queen’s University, and farther south Barnet Park and the beautiful Lagan Valley.

The River Lagan flows through the city and can be seen to advantage at the Ormeau Park and the Lagan Boulevard. The river has been artificially deepened to provide a harbour, and along its various channels and basins the city harbour has about 10 miles of waterfront. The Belfast shipyards of Messrs Harland and Wolff form the largest single establishment of their kind in the world, and at times make an impressive spectacle. The highest of the Belfast hills which surround the city on the north and west is Divis (1,567 feet), but the best viewpoint is Cave Hill at the eastern end of the range, due north of the city. Along the face of Cave Hill are three fine public parks, Belfast Castle grounds, Hazelwood and Bellevue Zoological Gardens, all giving access to areas of forest, crags and moorland and giving fine views across the sea, the city and the surrounding countryside. The country round Belfast is varied and pleasant of special interest being the scenery along the two sides of Belfast Lough and from the passes and summits of the Belfast, Holywood and Castlereagh Hills.

Belfast Lough

The long inlet of the sea, at the head of which stands the city of Belfast. In ancient times, before the rise of Belfast to importance and the creation of Belfast Harbour, the Lough was called Carrickfergus Bay, for Carrickfergus was for many centuries the principal stronghold and garrison town and port in Ulster. There is much yachting on the Lough from such places as Bangor, Holywood, Cultra and Whitehead. The Lough is gracefully surrounded by hills which makes the sea journey up or down delightful; especially at sunrise or sunset on the cross-channel steamers. As the Lough opens out towards the north-east, a clear view of Galloway in Scotland can be had in good weather. It was on Belfast Lough that the last living pair of Great Auks was seen in September 1845.

Definitions: Follow this link for an explanation of what is a city, town, village and other community and of the local authority structure of the UK

Historic images from around the City of Belfast

This small selection of historic images of Belfast (City Centre) are from our British National Image Library. You may click on the thumbnail pictures to view larger versions and read what information we have regarding the image.

Actor Mr Arthur Sinclair

Post War Trolleybus

Queen's University Belfast

Belfast City Hall

Industrial Belfast

There may be more historic images of Belfast (City Centre) here.

Public Events in and around Belfast

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Hotels, Apartments and B&B's in Belfast

The visitor accommodation options for Belfast listed below are supplied by LATE ROOMS and BOOKING.COM from a selection of over 16,000 hotels located throughout the UK.

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 Hilton Belfast 

 

 Merchant Hotel 

 

 Apple Apartments Belfast 

 

 Clayton Hotel Belfast 

 

 Hastings Europa Hotel 

 

 Holiday Inn Belfast 

 

 Malmaison Belfast 

 

 Radisson Sas Belfast