Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Great Victoria Street Station
City Centre
The present railway station and bus terminus stands on the site of the former Great Northern Railway Station, 1848, since demolished. One vestige of the GNR’s influence does however remain. In the 1880s, Michael Flanagan took over the Railway Tavern, an inconspicuous travellers’ inn opposite the GNR and created the Crown Bar. A gem in Belfast’s architectural crown, it is a rare and remarkably intact survivor of the 19th century gin palaces.
The Grand Opera House, opposite the Crown Bar, displays similar high Victorian artistry. Designed by the leading theatre architect, Frank Matcham, the Grand Opera House is a glorious expression of the skills of Victorian architects, painters and craftsmen and has continued to delight Belfast audiences since it first opened in 1895.
Contemporary Belfast offers much of interest as well. From the City Hall, a brisk wall down Chichester Street will lead to Lanyon Place, on the banks of the River Lagan, home to the magnificent Waterfront Hall. It opened for business in 1997 and the city takes real pride in this splendid, glass fronted, circular concert hall, which at night appears to float on the river.
[Illustration captions, from top to bottom, read]
• Crown Bar
• Grand Opera House
• Belfast City Hall
Erected by Belfast City Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is August 12, 1839.
Location. 54° 35.671′ N, 5° 56.075′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Marker is at the intersection of Great Victoria Street (Northern Ireland Route A1) and Amelia Street, on the left when traveling north on Great Victoria Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17-21 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT2 7GN, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker (a few steps from this marker); Crown Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Opera House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Great Victoria Street (about 120 meters away); Howard Street (about 150 meters away); Buildings & Housing (about 150 meters away); People (about 150 meters away); Industry (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
Also see . . .
1. Belfast Great Victoria Street railway station at Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Grand Opera House, Belfast. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Virtual Tour. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Visit Belfast. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.