The Cathedral Quarter has emerged as one of Belfast’s creative centers, drawing varied arts organizations and trendy businesses to a formerly industrial city sector. The once edgy bohemia has been softened by redevelopment and gentrification. Visit Cathedral Quarter to explore the fascinating history of this neighborhood and enjoy its cafés, restaurants and nightlife.
Tour St. Anne’s Cathedral, a magnificent Church of Ireland construction that gives the area its name. Admire the ornate Romanesque façade and the stainless steel Spire of Hope, rising 250 feet (80 meters) above the ground. Appreciate the interior carved stonework, mosaics and stained glass. The adjacent Writers’ Square memorializes local literary heritage with quotations from famous authors written in stone.
Head to the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) for insights into Northern Ireland’s contemporary cultural scene. This major arts center features visual art exhibitions as well as theater, music and dance performances. Visit the Oh Yeah Music Centre, a nonprofit music organization that has rehearsal space and an exhibition on local music history. It also hosts music gigs.
Walk south to see a very different kind of local landmark, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower. Appreciate the elegant Gothic decorations of this remarkable 19th-century structure, which shows a slight lean because of its construction on marshy land.
Stroll toward the River Lagan to photograph the gorgeous neoclassical Belfast Customs House and reflect on this port city’s heady history. Look for the bronze statue of an orator that commemorates when these steps were a speaker’s corner. At the waterfront, the regeneration of Belfast’s river is honored by TheBig Fish, a beloved sculpture illustrating the city’s history on a set of artful ceramic tiles.
Find the Cathedral Quarter north of central Belfast, a 10-minute walk from City Hall. You can also travel here by bus. The neighborhood’s squares and cobbled streets are best navigated on foot. Visit in May to enjoy the activities of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, though you can experience its liveliness at any time of year.
