King’s Hall, south Belfast

The Kings Hall at the Balmoral Showgrounds was constructed in 1933-34 as a permanent exhibition hall for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and was officially opened in 1934.

The RUSA immediately put the Kings Hall to use for a variety of purposes such as exhibitions, evangelical meetings, boxing and wrestling contests and circuses.

During the Second World War, it became an aircraft factory for Short Bros. & Harland in order to construct fuselages for Stirling Bombers.

In later decades the hall would also be used for music concerts; the Beatles famously performed there in 1964. Other artists who performed there included Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Nirvana, Bruce Springsteen, Boyzone, and U2 supported by Lou Reed.

The site is currently being redeveloped as a business and health park.

Do you want to learn more about the history of Belfast? Check out my tours here.