Belfast City
The city of Belfast is often considered the capital of Northern Ireland. Its people have a rich history — of commerce and prosperity as well as violence and heartache. Belfast is one of the few, if not the only city in all of Ireland, to be fully engaged in the activities and benefits of the Industrial Revolution. Now that the industrial age is a part of history, Belfast has become the focus of several revitalization projects, for example, the Odyssey complex at Queen’s Quay. These development projects are aimed at rejuvenating this historical city and providing its inhabitants with opportunities for prosperity through the growing tourist industry. Projects include new hotels, performing arts centres, and development along the strands.
History:
During the 1600’s, both English and Scottish settlers arrived in Beal Fierste, or ‘sandbank ford’ as Belfast was called in those early days. The land was owned and controlled by the ancient O’Neill clan from Ulster.
At the onset of the Plantation period, the native Irish inhabitants were uprooted and replaced with Protestant settlers by decree of the English crown. Belfast was then given to Sir Arthur Chichester. The Official Charter for the city was granted in 1888.
Traditionally known for its shipbuilding, linen making, and rope making industries, as well as the trade and shipping of these and other products, including tobacco, Belfast’s population doubled every ten years in response to it thriving economy during the 18th century. Linen making skills came to the region along with large numbers of Huguenot refugees.
The influence of Queen Victoria upon the city is apparent. She founded Queen’s College, which opened in 1849, and she is memorialized all around the city by various monuments and in the names of many buildings and streets.
More recent history focuses on Belfast’s central role in the Troubles - from 1974 until the 1994 cease-fire. Evidence of these embattled years can be seen in various murals and the peace line that runs between East and West Belfast.
Today’s population stands at roughly 300,000. Relics of the industrial years can be seen across the city, including the two enormous Harland & Wolff cranes that stand like sentinels over the area of the deserted shipyards. One Belfast nickname is Titanic Town – in reference to the birthplace of this most famous of ships. The former industrial areas are now quickly becoming valuable hotel and office space properties.