26 May ’05, Thursday. Belfast City Hall
As we had driven “Bumble Bee” to the doctor (mechanic) yesterday, and could do no more than just wait, we boarded a bus again and went to Belfast for a second day. We were lucky as the rain decided we had had enough for the time being, and we enjoyed a day of “mild” sunshine. It gave us the opportunity to visit St. Ann’s Cathedral and make a tour through the Belfast City Hall. At first, the foundation for St Anne’s church, was laid in 1776, and then in 1899, the Countess of Shaftesbury laid the first stone for the “new” cathedral to be built. As soon as you walk through the huge doors and enter the cathedral you see a “Marble Maze”. If you follow the white marble stones, they will lead you to the sanctuary and the path of eternal life. If you follow the black marble, you will come to a dead end. I’m sure I don’t have to repeat myself, but the stained glass works are again stunning. The baptistery was of particular interest…it contains over 150,000 pieces of glass and each one individually placed onto the ceiling. Our reception at the cathedral was very warm, as we were met at the door with a welcome and a big smile, and a written guide to the cathedral. This doesn’t always happen, but I must admit, this wasn’t the first, but the most memorable. We also went to see the glass enclosed St. Georges Market. It is open every Thursday and Friday, but I guess it starts very early and closes early as well, as we missed it…they were all packed or packing. When we got to the City Hall, we found we had just missed the tour, but they would have one more at 2:30, so we signed up and left. Some how, we were at the internet and time started to get away from us, and when I looked, we had 10 minutes to make it…with a few kind words from my lovely, we scampered down the hall, out the door, and we made it just in time.
In 1906, a time of unprecedented prosperity and industrial “might” (ship building), the Belfast City Hall opened it’s doors. It was in 1888 that Queen Victoria conferred the title of “city” to Belfast. When you see the City Hall from the street, you are taken with a very “grand” building, but the magnificence of the interior wasn’t totally expected. Just to give you a few words from the brochure; Visitors are welcomed though the impressive stone porte-cochere and marble lined vestibule into the Entrance Hall. The Grand Staircase is made from Carrara, Pavonazzo and Brescia Marbles. Classical influences from the Rotunda, abound with an elaborate colonnade in Greek Cippalino marble. Rising from this landing are the four main arches which support the dome.The large stained glass windows record important municipal events, from the granting of the original Charter by King James I in 1613 and on and on…
Well, tour over and the next bus about ready to arrive, we’ve got to get back and pick up “Bumble Bee”.
As we had driven “Bumble Bee” to the doctor (mechanic) yesterday, and could do no more than just wait, we boarded a bus again and went to Belfast for a second day. We were lucky as the rain decided we had had enough for the time being, and we enjoyed a day of “mild” sunshine. It gave us the opportunity to visit St. Ann’s Cathedral and make a tour through the Belfast City Hall. At first, the foundation for St Anne’s church, was laid in 1776, and then in 1899, the Countess of Shaftesbury laid the first stone for the “new” cathedral to be built. As soon as you walk through the huge doors and enter the cathedral you see a “Marble Maze”. If you follow the white marble stones, they will lead you to the sanctuary and the path of eternal life. If you follow the black marble, you will come to a dead end. I’m sure I don’t have to repeat myself, but the stained glass works are again stunning. The baptistery was of particular interest…it contains over 150,000 pieces of glass and each one individually placed onto the ceiling. Our reception at the cathedral was very warm, as we were met at the door with a welcome and a big smile, and a written guide to the cathedral. This doesn’t always happen, but I must admit, this wasn’t the first, but the most memorable. We also went to see the glass enclosed St. Georges Market. It is open every Thursday and Friday, but I guess it starts very early and closes early as well, as we missed it…they were all packed or packing. When we got to the City Hall, we found we had just missed the tour, but they would have one more at 2:30, so we signed up and left. Some how, we were at the internet and time started to get away from us, and when I looked, we had 10 minutes to make it…with a few kind words from my lovely, we scampered down the hall, out the door, and we made it just in time.
In 1906, a time of unprecedented prosperity and industrial “might” (ship building), the Belfast City Hall opened it’s doors. It was in 1888 that Queen Victoria conferred the title of “city” to Belfast. When you see the City Hall from the street, you are taken with a very “grand” building, but the magnificence of the interior wasn’t totally expected. Just to give you a few words from the brochure; Visitors are welcomed though the impressive stone porte-cochere and marble lined vestibule into the Entrance Hall. The Grand Staircase is made from Carrara, Pavonazzo and Brescia Marbles. Classical influences from the Rotunda, abound with an elaborate colonnade in Greek Cippalino marble. Rising from this landing are the four main arches which support the dome.The large stained glass windows record important municipal events, from the granting of the original Charter by King James I in 1613 and on and on…
Well, tour over and the next bus about ready to arrive, we’ve got to get back and pick up “Bumble Bee”.