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New book celebrates Belfast City Hall
As Rome has St Peter’s, and London has St Paul’s, so Belfast has the City Hall – and a new book celebrates our own ‘magnificent architectural centrepiece’.‘Belfast City Hall – An Architectural History’, written by Dr Paul Larmour, one of the leading architectural historians in Ireland, describes the history and architecture of the City Hall, from its inception in 1896 to its completion in 1906. This new publication, published by the Ulster Architectural Society in partnership with Belfast City Council, gives a fascinating account of a building which for more than a century has stood as an icon for the city and a symbol of its civic pride and progress.Speaking ahead of the publication’s launch the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, commented:“This fascinating publication leaves the reader in no doubt as to why City Hall is not only one of the most memorable buildings in Ireland, but also one of the best of its era in the whole of the British Isles.” From the story of the design competition, to the sources of inspiration for talented architect Alfred Brumwell Thomas’ design for the building and the development of the grounds and its various monuments, the book is packed with interesting facts, more than 200 illustrations and archive photographs.‘Belfast City Hall: An Architectural History’ is priced at £15 softback and £20 hardback and is available from the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society online or from the office at 66 Donegall Pass Belfast.