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Belfast City Hall
This magnificent historical building dominates Donegall Square in Belfast and is one of the grandest buildings in the city centre and is described as an Edwardian masterpiece, although construction on the building actually began in 1898, in response to Queen Victoria's visit in 1849 when she gave it city status.
The building stands in public gardens, covering around 1.5 acres, and is built in Classical Renaisance style in Portland stone around a quadrangular courtyard.
Visitors enter via the stone port-cochère into the marble-lined Octogan Vestibule, where there is a marble memorial of Frederick Robert Chichester, Earl of Belfast (1827-1853). On the south-east side of the vestibule are two stunning stained glass windows, memorials to the officers, NCOs and men of the North Irish Horse regiment who died in both world wars.
A grand staircase in Carrara, Pavonazzo and Brescia marbles leads up from the vestibule. An elaborate domed ceiling is above you, and seven stained glass windows, including one emblazoned with the Belfast coat of arms, and portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on either side.
The Principal Landing and Dome is also decorated in marble, with four main arches leading up to the drum of the dome. This is decorated with signs of the zodiac, plus the ship and the bell from the city's coat of arms. On this level there is also a mural by Belfast artist John Luke, commissioned to mark the 1951 Festival of Britain.
The Visitors' Galleries, in carved oak, look onto The Council Chamber which is also decorated with wood panelling and stained glass windows, plus two chairs used by King George V and Queen Mary at the opening of the first Parliament of Northern Ireland in the Council Chamber at City Hall on 22 June, 1921.
The 120-foot Great Hall has a vaulted ceiling and windows that depict three monarchs that have visited the city - King William III, Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The hall was nearly destroyed during a German air raid in 1941, but fortunately the windows had already been removed for safe-keeping and reinstalled at a later date.
There are also ornate reception rooms and an east staircase with several memorials and statues and there is a gift shop for visitors.
Outside is the Garden of Remembrance, with a cenotaph, and the public gardens are a popular place to relax in the summer sun.
Civil wedding ceremonies take place here and the Last Night of the Proms takes place outside every summer.
Admission is free and guided tours of the City Hall are conducted:
June – September
Monday – Friday
11.00am, 2.00pm, 3.00pm
Saturday 2.30pm
October – May
Monday – Friday
11.00am, 2.30pm
Saturday 2.30pm
and each tour lasts approximately 3/4hour
(There are no tours on Bank and Public Holidays)
Access facilities include; ramps front and rear, access by lift to all floors (the main passenger lift has voice enunciation and embossed lift controls), adapted toilets, automatic door openers on main access routes, induction loop system at Reception and in main rooms and the friendly staff are trained in Sign Language (BSL).
Special Group Tours may be booked in advance by telephone, please contact for any further information.
Contact the Belfast City Hall 
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Northern Ireland Discovered is an online Travel Guide for Northern Ireland.
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