The most historic area of Belfast, for centuries a haunt of visiting sailors, artists, revolutionaries and writers, the area is being developed as a lively hub of artistic life as well as home to a variety of stylish cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants and a mix of dynamic commercial businesses.

Home to one of Europe's most exciting annual alternative arts festivals and the magnificent Belfast Cathedral, from which it takes its name, the Cathedral Quarter has superb contemporary art, crafts and photographic galleries and workshops, a community circus, spectacular art installations, media groups and performance spaces.

Belfast Cathedral
Few cathedrals can have taken so long to reach completion, but any visitor to Belfast Cathedral, situated at the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter, would agree it was worth the wait. Designed by the distinguished architect, Sir Thomas Drew, in the 'Hiberno-Romanesque' style, the foundation stone was laid in 1899. But, although the nave was consecrated in 1904, it would take another 77 years until the cathedral was finally completed.

Even then it still lacked a spire!Some of the cathedral's most impressive features include a tympanum filled with a mosaic of angel musicians on a background of gold which took sisters Gertrude and Mary Martin seven years to create plus one of the largest church organs and some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the Island of Ireland. The baptistry has a ceiling made of 150,000 pieces of glass (also the work of the Martin sisters) hugely successful centenary year in 2004, there are plans for the cathedral to finally add its long awaited spire!

Belfast Community Circus
The Belfast Community Circus was established in 1985 thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of Donal McKendry and Mike Moloney who found themselves introducing community circus to Northern Ireland during a time when there was a desperate need for positive shared experiences for young people from different communities.

The Belfast Community Circus acts not only as a vehicle for teaching children and young people in some of the most needy communities in Northern Ireland, but also as a training school for professional teachers and performers of circus arts. In addition, the Circus acts as a promoter for performers, in the form of Premiere Circus, and as a venue to host visiting and indigenous circus productions.

In the past five years, the Belfast Community Circus has been awarded the highest arts award in Northern Ireland for the work with adults in pioneering circus theatre in the Island of Ireland. In 1999, Belfast Community Circus was one of the recipients of the final Guardian Jerwood Award for Excellence in The Community - a UK wide award.

Custom House and Square, Donegall Quay
Built between 1854 and 1857, the Italian renaissance style Custom House was designed by Charles Lanyon and William Lynn.Lanyon is responsible for many marvellous Victorian buildings, including Queen's College (now the Lanyon Building) at Queen's University and Belfast Castle. In the site of Belfast's 'Speaker's Corner' and it is now again a vital public space. Laganside Corporation has transformed the area in front of the building into an exciting outdoor venue, accommodating up to 4000 people and able to host events like fairs, concerts and exhibitions.

The Big Fish, Donegall Quay
When it comes to a clean environment, few fish are fussier than salmon. So how better to signify the return of salmon to the Lagan River, as a result of its regeneration, than the commissioning of the Big Fish, a huge ceramic-skinned salmon, installed by the waterside at Donegall Quay, ear the Lagan Lookout Visitor Centre.Created by artist, John Kindness, the 'skin' is decorated with texts and images relating to the history of the city. Information leaflets on art trails are also available from the Lagan Lookout Centre.

Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Queen's Square
One of the most enduring symbols of the city, the 'Leaning Tower' of Belfast (so-called because it leans about four feet, having been built, in 1867, on reclaimed land) is a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband. A recent, multi-million pound renovation has restored the 114 metre tower to its former glory.

Excerpt from “Belfast 2006” by Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau
www.belfastcircus.org
www.belfastcathedral.org