Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Belfast City Hall
City Centre
— 1906 —
The White Linen Hall was demolished to make way for this symbol of Belfast’s new standing and confidence. A young London architect, Alfred Brumwell Thomas, won the Public Architectural Competition with his Classical Renaissance design and work started in 1898. The building was completed in 1906 at a cost of £369,000, a sum funded by two years’ profit from the city’s lucrative gasworks.
Externally, the City Hall is a stunning confection of Portland stone, set in attractive public gardens, its rectangular shape enclosing a quadrangle courtyard. Inside, visitors are welcomed by the grandest of entrances. The impressive stone porte-cochere leads to a stunning Entrance Hall, out of which sweeps the Grand Staircase and high above, is the Dome, rising to a height of 173 feet (53 metres), a soaring tribute to the decorative arts. Four types of marble are used throughout, three from Italy and one from Greece.
The City Hall has played a central role in many historic events in Belfast. It was the setting for the Signing of the Covenant in 1912 and was the seat of Northern Ireland’s first parliament after partition in 1921. It has been the focus of huge rallies and demonstration such as the VE Day celebrations in 1945, and has provided welcomes for Olympic gold medallist Mary Peters, world boxing champion Barry McGuigan and President Bill Clinton of the United States of America.
There are many fine statues in the grounds of the City Hall, but that depicting the marble figure of “Thane” is particularly emotive. Sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock in 1920, it commemorates the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912 and lists those lost in the tragedy.
Erected by Belfast City Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 54° 35.826′ N, 5° 55.825′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Marker is at the intersection of Donegall Square North (Northern Ireland Route A1) and Donegall Place, on the right when traveling east on Donegall Square North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Donegall Square North, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT1 5GS, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Donegall Square North (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the City Centre (a few steps from this marker); James Joseph Magennis (a few steps from this marker); First U.S.A.E.F. Landed in This City 26 Jan 1942 (within shouting distance of this marker); Donegall Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Daniel Dixon Bart [Baronet] (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); William James Pirrie (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
Also see . . .
1. History of Belfast City Hall. (Submitted on May 14, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Belfast City Hall an Architectural History (a book review). (Submitted on May 14, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. A Short History of Belfast City Hall. (Submitted on May 14, 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 374 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on May 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 14, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.