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Belfast - Guide

Belfast - General Information

Belfast City Hall

Belfast is Northern Ireland's largest city and capital. Situated on the banks of the River Lagan, Belfast has a long history of ship building and industry. Although the city bore the brunt of the Troubles, since the 1988 Good Friday Agreement, there has been a huge amount of redevelopment and Belfast, with its wide streets and handsome municipal architecture, is quickly becoming a popular city break destination.

Belfast History

Belfast became established as an urban settlement in the 17th century when James I of Great Britain sent settlers to populate the Plantation of Ulster. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Belfast became the most important industrial city in Ireland with industries such as shipbuilding, tobacco and linen. Capital city status was granted to Belfast in 1920 with the creation of Northern Ireland. The Troubles gripped Belfast from the late 1960’s into the 1990’s however, since the Good Friday agreement in 1988, there has been a significant reduction in violence and disruption.

Belfast Today

Belfast is a modern, cosmopolitan capital city with a rich and vibrant history and cultural scene. There is a large student population in the city with the two universities: Queens University and the University of Ulster. It is also home to Northern Ireland’s only full-time symphony orchestra.
Belfast is particularly noteworthy for its architecture and parks. There are over 40 parks in the city with the Botanic Gardens, near Queens University, being one of the most popular.
The city’s architecture ranges from Victorian and Edwardian styles, to the ultra-modern. The City Hall, finished in 1906, is amongst the grandest of Belfast’s buildings and was built to commemorate Belfast’s city status, granted by Queen Victoria in 1888.