H&W Cranes

Like every major city in the world Belfast has its associated, instantly recognisable land mark…the cranes, Samson and Goliath towering over us here in East Belfast.  Shadowing over what was once the world’s greatest shipyard Harland & Wolff, and birthplace of Titanic - the world’s most famous ship, at over 90m these iconic giants can be seen from many points in the city but you cannot appreciate their size until you enjoy them from ground level.

You can find them down at Titanic Quarter, Queen’s Island.

Stormont Castle & Parliament Buildings

No visit to East Belfast would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Stormont Estate and the Parliament Buildings off the Upper Newtownards Road, where the Northern Ireland Assembly meets. An extensive public park, where many stars of music have held spectacular open-air concerts, it has great views of Belfast and features a lovely children's play area near the main gates.

You can’t access the Victorian Castle itself but you will get glimpses of it from around the estate, which was bought by the Northern Ireland government in 1921. The Castle became the official residence of the Northern Ireland Prime Minister and later the office of the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The classical Parliament Buildings themselves are 365 feet long and made from Portland stone and granite from the Mourne Mountains. Parliament Buildings are not usually open to the public but guided tours are available by prior arrangement. Call (028) 9052 1172 for information.

Before the front of the Parliament Buildings stands a statue of the famous Unionist leader Sir Edward Carson, which he unveiled in 1933, two years before his death.  Nearby is the Reconciliation statue depicting a couple embracing across a great divide.

If the weather is good enough the Stormont Estate is a lovely spot for a picnic, while the Stormont Hotel across the road is renowned for food.

Van Morrison’s House

‘Van the Man’ once lived in this two-up two-down terraced house at 125 Hyndford Street, off the Beersbridge Road, where a commemorative plaque records that one of the greatest singer/songwriters in contemporary music was born here on August 31st 1945.

Around the corner, at 289 Beersbridge Road, is his first school, Elmgrove Primary School. A little further away, at Cameronian Drive, near Castlereagh Road, is his secondary school, Orangefield (one of several local areas mentioned in his songs).

Indeed many of the landmarks of his East Belfast childhood found their way into his songs, including ‘Cyprus Avenue’ another short stroll away and ‘Hyndford Street’ itself. This was also the area he worked when he was ‘Cleaning Windows’.

CS Lewis Statue

‘The Searcher’, a statue sculpted by local artist Ross Wilson, was commissioned to mark the centenary of the birth of CS Lewis, author of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, and stands outside Holywood Arches library, near to where Lewis grew up. It shows Professor Digory Kirke, hero of ‘The Magician’s Nephew’, entering the magical wardrobe into Narnia.

Holywood Arches Library, Holywood Road, Belfast

East Belfast Murals

Many visitors come to Belfast to see the famous murals and while East Belfast has many political murals, not all murals are political; there are also those related to its sporting, musical and military heroes. There are various bus, walking and black cab tours (enquire at the Belfast Welcome Centre) which will take you around the most famous murals.

Football Hero’s

Local legend George Best lives on and can be spotted on murals on the Woodstock Road and the Cregagh Estate where he spent his childhood.  And another to look out for is the portrayal of David Healey’s famous winning goal for Northern Ireland against England in 2005, commemorated on Montrose Street off the Albertbridge Road.

Titanic

Just around the corner where Dee Street meets the Newtownards Road, is a magnificent mural showing Captain Smith over-looking the ill-fated Titanic with a commemoration to those who lost their lives on the world’s most famous ship, built just a stone’s throw away.

CS Lewis

On Convention Court you’ll find East Belfast born writer CS Lewis and creator of the Narnia Chronicles depicted on a mural along with scenes from his most famous book “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”.  Close by is another off East Belfast’s Dee Street.

War Hero’s

War hero James Magennis, who received the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Second World War, is immortalised on a mural in Tullycarnet. Also in the the Cregagh Estate, a mural commemorates First World War hero Private William McFadzean of the 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroism at the Battle of the Somme.

“Teenage Kicks All Through The Night”

The famous Undertones song title blazes across the wall under the M3 flyover at Bridge End.  “John Peel 1939-2004 RIP” was added later on after the Radio 1 DJ and Undertones biggest supporter’s tragic death.