Welcome to Belfast Castle in Northern Ireland

Yesterday morning was a terrific day in Belfast. I had a chance to take some photos again with my favourite castle of all, the Belfast castle. I like the architecture and the great history of the castle. The original Belfast Castle, built in the late 12th century by the Normans, was located in the town itself, flanked by the modern day High Street, Castle Place and Donegal Place in what is now Belfast City Centre.

This was the home of Sir Arthur Chichester, baron of Belfast but was burned down in 1708, leaving only street names to mark the site. Rather than rebuild on the original site, the Chichesters decided to build a new residence in the city's suburbs, today's Belfast Castle emerging as a result. The building that stands today was completed in 1870 by 2nd Marquess of Donegall, and was designed by Charles Lanyon and his son in the Scottish baronial style. After Donegall's death and the family's financial demise, the 8th Earl of Shaftesbury completed the house.

It was his son, the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury, who presented the castle to the City of Belfast in 1934. In 1978 Belfast City Council began a major refurbishment over a period of ten years at a cost of over two million pounds. The architect was the Hewitt and Haslam Partnership. The building officially re-opened to the public on 11 November 1988.

The castle hosts an antiques shop, a restaurant and visitors centre and it is a popular venue for conferences, private dining and wedding receptions.

text source:wikipedia

photography: me (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)