Collection: Belfast City Hall

Have you visited Belfast City Hall? Perhaps it was for a wedding, a big ‘do', the Continental or Christmas Market or just a visit to see the big Christmas tree - Belfast City Hall has welcomed visitors from all over the world into its impressive building and grounds.

It encompasses Victorian elegance at its’ finest - In 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast the status of the city and it was agreed that a grand and magnificent building was required to reflect this new status.

Belfast City Hall opened its doors on the first of August 1906, at a time of unprecedented prosperity and industrial might for the city.  The new building was designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival style and constructed in Portland stone.

The building cost £369,000 to complete - £128m in today’s money.  Viscount William Pirrie, who was Lord Mayor in 1896-1897 just before City Hall’s construction, was also managing director of Harland & Wolff shipyard and is credited as having the idea for both ambitious builds.

Skilled shipyard workmen were employed in the fit-out of City Hall, with the interiors today, particularly the wood panelling said to be similar to Titanic’s lounges and suites.

Did you know that the name Belfast originates from the Gaelic 'Beal Feirste', which means 'mouth of river'?