Designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas, the home of Belfast City Council, built in Portland stone, Belfast City Hall was completed in 1906. A magnificent Edwardian "wedding cake" built to reflect Belfast City's status, granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. The dome is 53m (173 feet) high. Figures above the door are "Hibernia encouraging and promoting the Commerce and Arts of the City".
The City Hall's connections with the Titanic are many. In fact the Lord Mayor when City Hall was opened, Sir Daniel Dixon, credited William Pirrie, the man who created Titanic, as having ‘the big ideas’ for City Hall. Pirrie, Lord Mayor in 1896/7, is said to have referred to it as ‘the stone Titanic’. In its grounds, the Titanic Memorial, sculpted by Thomas Brock, pays tribute to 22 men who lost their lives on the ship. Another statue by Brock depicts Sir Edward Harland, ship’s plan in hand, who was Lord Mayor in 1885/6. Thanks to Pirrie’s influence, the Lord Mayor’s Suite is also known as ‘the Titanic Rooms’ as craftsmen who worked on them went on to work on the famous liner. Portraits of Lord and Lady Pirrie hang in the Reception Room. On May 31st, 2006, on the 150th anniversary of his birth (and the 95th anniversary of Titanic’s launch), a special plinth was erected to William Pirrie in the grounds of City Hall. Described as ‘the greatest shipbuilder the world has ever known’,
Public and private tours are available. Leaflets about the building and gardens are available at the City Hall.
Loop System in main rooms. Trained staff in sign language (BSL).
*City Hall will close in September 2007 for refurbishment.
Languages catered for:
Sign Language.
Opening times:
All year Mon - Fri 11am, 2pm & 3pm,
Sat 2pm & 3pm
Group Tours must be booked in advance, no tours on Bank/Public Holidays or Sundays.
Duration 45 minutes
Prices:
Admission Free