The Whitla Hall, opened in 1949, serves as a meeting hall and lecture theatre at Queen’s University Belfast. Named after Sir William Whitla, a prominent Belfast doctor, lecturer, and MP, the hall commemorates his significant contributions to both medicine and…

John Hewitt (1907-1987) was a prominent Belfast poet and the first writer-in-residence at Queen’s University Belfast in 1976. He lived at 18 Mount Charles Street and made significant contributions to both literature and the arts. From November 1930 to 1957,…

In the year 1940, Belfast found itself grappling with a myriad of challenges that laid bare the city’s glaring vulnerabilities in the face of impending conflict. Despite the resolute assurances of its political leaders, the city stood ill-prepared for the…

On 15 January 2025, Northern Ireland (NI) Economy Minister Conor Murphy launched a plan for tourism expenditure to exceed £2 billion by 2035. Part of this target would be achieved by ‘the development and promotion of Peace Tourism’.[1] The plan…

Shipyard workers throughout history have faced a myriad of hazards in their daily work, leading to industrial diseases and accidents. From chemical exposures to machinery accidents, the risks were numerous and often led to devastating consequences. Additionally, the evolution of…

The Belfast Blitz, a harrowing chapter in the city’s history, has left an indelible mark on the collective memory of its inhabitants. Yet, in the realm of fiction, this tumultuous period remains largely unexplored, overshadowed by other narratives of war…

All Souls Church, located on Elmwood Avenue, was constructed in 1895-96. Originally built for the congregation of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Rosemary Street, the church was renamed All Souls upon their relocation before the turn of the century. In…

Located in front of the iconic Lanyon Building at Queen’s University Belfast, the War Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the employees and students of the university who lost their lives or went missing during the World Wars. Erected…

The decision to target Belfast in 1941 during the tumultuous days of World War II was not arbitrary; rather, it was driven by a combination of strategic military considerations and the city’s significant industrial capabilities. Belfast held immense strategic importance…

Forrest Reid (1875-1947) was a Northern Irish novelist, literary critic, and translator, renowned for his significant contributions to literature. He resided at 20 Mount Charles in Belfast and was the youngest son in a Protestant family of twelve, six of…