49-598: Oldpark is one of the ten district electoral areas (DEA) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located in the north of the city, the district elects six members to Belfast City Council and contains the wards of Ardoyne ; Ballysillan; Cliftonville; Legoniel; New Lodge and Water Works. Oldpark forms part of the Belfast North constituency for the Northern Ireland Assembly and UK Parliament . The DEA
98-659: A 60-metre Ferris wheel was constructed in the grounds, giving passengers panoramic views 200 ft (61 m) above the city. The wheel had 42 air-conditioned capsules, which could hold up to six adults and two children. The wheel finally closed at 6:00 pm on 11 April 2010 and was removed during May 2010. In 2008, the Imjin River Memorial was relocated here when the St Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena closed. The memorial commemorates Irish troops lost in
147-528: A new Belfast City Council was elected and acted as a shadow authority until coming into its powers on 1 April 2015. The local government district of Belfast was expanded on 1 April 2015 to the south to include areas formerly part of the Castlereagh, Lisburn and North Down districts. The new electoral areas are Balmoral, Black Mountain, Botanic, Castle, Collin, Court, Lisnasharragh, Oldpark, Ormiston and Titanic. Belfast has four coterminous constituencies for
196-435: A point-down triangle ( a pile ) with a repeating blue-and-white pattern that represents fur ( vair ). There is also a red square in the top corner ( a canton gules ) on which there is a silver bell. It is likely that the bell is an example here of "canting" (or punning) heraldry, representing the first syllable of Belfast. In the lower part of the shield ( in base ) there is a silver sailing ship shown sailing on waves coloured in
245-602: A population of 333,871 residents according to the 2011 Northern Ireland census. The area covered by the old Belfast City Council before the 2015 local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland had a population of 280,962 residents according to the same census. In the 2011 census the distributions of population, religion, national identity and proportion of immigrants within the Belfast City Council area were as follows. On Census Day (27 March 2011)
294-600: A total population of 579,276. The council is made up of 60 councillors , elected from ten district electoral areas. It holds its meetings in the historic Belfast City Hall . The current Lord Mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland . As part of the 2014/2015 reform of local government in Northern Ireland the city council area expanded, and now covers an area that includes 53,000 additional residents in 21,000 households. The number of councillors increased from 51 to 60. The first elections to
343-652: Is a largely ceremonial position currently held by Sammy Douglas who took office on 1 January 2024. The High Sheriff is theoretically the King's judicial representative in the city, while the Lord Lieutenant is the Sovereign's personal representative, however the office is now largely symbolic with few formal duties other than deputising for the Lord Mayor at official events. The position was created in 1900 under
392-470: Is almost an exact replica of Belfast's City Hall. It was built in 1910 and designed by Stanley G. Hudson, who was inspired by the Belfast design. The Port of Liverpool Building , designed by Sir Arnold Thornely and completed in 1913, is another very close relative. On 1 August 2006 the City Hall celebrated its centenary with a "Century of Memories" exhibition and family picnic day. On 3 December 2012,
441-576: Is distinct from the term of office for the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor who take up office in May or June each year. The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast is the official representative of the King for the 'County Borough of Belfast'. The Lord Lieutenant is Dame Finnouala Jay-O'Boyle, DBE who was appointed in July 2014. The position was first created in 1900 and was held by the Marquess of Londonderry . The role
490-475: Is largely honorary with the few formal duties relating to liaising with the King's Private Office in the lead up to visits to the City regarding issues of local concern and the presentation of awards on behalf of the King. The district councils of Northern Ireland were reformed in 2015 . The councillors elected on 5 May 2011 served on Belfast City Council until 31 March 2015. At the local elections on 22 May 2014
539-523: Is the local authority with responsibility for part of Belfast , the largest city of Northern Ireland . The council serves an estimated population of 348,005 (2022), the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while being the smallest by area. Belfast City Council is the primary council of the Belfast Metropolitan Area , a grouping of six former district councils with commuter towns and overspill from Belfast, containing
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#1732776607990588-621: Is the civic building of Belfast City Council located in Donegall Square , Belfast , Northern Ireland . It faces North and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre . It is a Grade A listed building . Belfast City Hall was commissioned to replace the Old Town Hall in Victoria Street. The catalyst for change came in 1888 when Belfast was awarded city status by Queen Victoria . This
637-503: Is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council and is elected annually by the council to serve a one-year term. A Deputy Lord Mayor is normally elected at the same council meeting as the Lord Mayor . The Lord Mayor's role is largely ceremonial, but does include the following powers and duties: The position that is now the Lord Mayor originated in 1613 in the town's Royal Charter as the 'Sovereign of Belfast'. In 1842, this position
686-573: The Baroque Revival style , was built in Portland stone at a cost of £369,000 and opened on 1 August 1906. Local firms H&J Martin and WH Stephens were among the companies involved in the design and construction. James G. Gamble, principal city architect with Belfast Corporation, was clerk of works for the erection of the City Hall circa 1896–1906. The city hall in Durban , South Africa
735-585: The Battle of Chaegunghyon in January 1951 during the Korean War . On 8 March 2024, bronze statues of the anti-slavery campaigner, Mary Ann McCracken , and the trade unionist, Winifred Carney , were unveiled at a ceremony at Belfast City Hall to coincide with International Women's Day 2024. Mary Ann McCracken campaigned against slavery at Belfast docks until she was almost 90 years-old and Winifred Carney
784-502: The City Hall displays the arms, where an explanation suggests that the seahorse and the ship refer to Belfast's significant maritime history. The wolf may be a tribute to the city's founder, Sir Arthur Chichester , and refer to his own coat of arms. The latest election to Belfast City Council took place on 18 May 2023, with the city's voters electing sixty councillors. Parties' election performances have changed substantially since
833-695: The Latin motto " Pro tanto quid retribuamus ." This is taken from Psalm 116 Verse 12 in the Latin Vulgate Bible and is literally "For ( Pro ) so much ( tanto ) what ( quid ) we shall repay ( retribuamus )" The verse has been translated in bibles differently – for example as "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?". It is also translated as "In return for so much, what shall we give back?" The Queen's University Students' Union Rag Week publication PTQ derives its name from
882-604: The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 , with Sir James Henderson the first holder. Appointments are made on annual basis by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland , who asks the outgoing High Sheriff and the council to suggest the names of three people who are deemed suitable to hold the position. In recent years the council has suggested only one candidate, who is normally a member of the council. The High Sheriff's term of office runs from January to December, which
931-572: The UK Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly , which extend somewhat beyond the city boundaries into parts of Castlereagh , Lisburn and Newtownabbey districts. At the 2019 UK general election , Belfast returned four MPs for the following constituencies: Belfast North ( John Finucane , Sinn Féin ), Belfast East ( Gavin Robinson , DUP ), Belfast South ( Claire Hanna , SDLP ) and Belfast West ( Paul Maskey , Sinn Féin ). In
980-505: The partition of Ireland in 1921 was David Cook from the Alliance Party , who was elected in 1978. The first Irish nationalist Lord Mayor was not appointed until the election of Alban Maginness from the SDLP in 1997, while a Sinn Féin Lord Mayor was first elected in 2002. The end of the unionist majority on the council in 1997 has resulted in a greater rotation of the position amongst the parties, which, like other elected positions within
1029-428: The 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election , Belfast returned a total of 20 MLAs (five per constituency) for the constituencies of Belfast North , Belfast East , Belfast South and Belfast West . Prior to the 2017 election, each constituency elected six MLAs or a total of 24 MLAs for Belfast. The results for both elections are summarised below: The council has eight committees, the members of which are appointed at
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#17327766079901078-618: The City Council voted to limit the days that the Union Flag flies from City Hall to no more than 18 designated days. Since 1906, the flag had been flown every day of the year. The move was backed by the council's Irish nationalist Councillors and by its Alliance Party Councillors. It was opposed by the unionist Councillors, who had enjoyed a majority on the council until the Northern Ireland local elections of 2011 . On
1127-513: The City Hall with access to areas usually closed to the public. The memorial to Sir Edward Harland , the former head of the Harland & Wolff shipyard and Lord Mayor of Belfast, was sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock and unveiled by the Earl of Glasgow on 23 June 1903. The statue of Queen Victoria also by Brock was unveiled by King Edward VII on 27 July 1903. The Titanic Memorial in Belfast
1176-472: The Council such as Committee chairs, is now filled using the D'Hondt system . This system awards positions to parties based on their number of councillors. The Local Government (Modification of Borough Charters) Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 entitles the council to appoint up to twelve of its members to the honorary position of alderman . The role of alderman is appointed at the first annual meeting following
1225-442: The actual colours of the sea ( proper ). The supporter on the "dexter" side (that is, the viewer's left) is a chained wolf, while on the "sinister" side the supporter is a sea-horse. The crest above the shield is also a sea-horse. These arms date back to 1613, when King James I granted Belfast town status. The seal was used by Belfast merchants throughout the 17th century on their signs and trade-coins. A large stained glass window in
1274-407: The annual meeting of the council. Each of the committees consists of 20 councillors with the quorum (the minimum number of councillors that are required to be present to transact business legally) of each committee being five members. Committees sit at least monthly with the exception of July. All committees are constituted to reflect, as far as practicable, the different political groups into which
1323-550: The balance of power with six members. The 2011 census findings confirmed this significant change in demographics. In the Belfast City Council area, the proportion of people who were Catholic or brought up Catholic (48.58%) is larger than those who were Protestant or brought up Protestant (42.30%) for the first time. In terms of national identity 43.16% of the population considered themselves to be British, 34.77% considered themselves to be Irish, and 26.82% considered themselves to be of Northern Irish nationality. The city of Belfast has
1372-409: The building as are stained glass windows featuring among others the Belfast coat of arms , portraits of Queen Victoria and William III and shields of the provinces of Ireland . There is also a stained glass window commemorating the 36th (Ulster) Division . Parts of Belfast City Hall are open to the public, with a permanent exhibition opening in 2017. Visitors can also book free guided tours of
1421-628: The council election in 1973 . The Ulster Unionist Party made a strong initial showing and remained the largest unionist party until 2005, when the Democratic Unionist Party became the dominant unionist party, while Sinn Féin has become the largest party overall. Nationalist representation showed a steady increase until recently, however still managed to become the largest grouping in the 2011 election. The number of unionist councillors has fallen almost every election. Cross-community representation has increased somewhat rapidly over
1470-398: The election of the council and does not carry any extra responsibilities other than the right to be referred to as an alderman rather than councillor. Following the local elections in 1997 and 2005 the Council voted not to appoint any of its members to the positions, however all twelve places were filled after the May 2011 election. The present Alderman are: The High Sheriff of Belfast
1519-465: The expanded city council took place on 22 May 2014. Belfast's modern history can be dated back to the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century which brought significant numbers of Protestant Scottish and English settlers to Ulster . The town gradually developed to become a major industrial centre, in particular in the areas of linen and ship building. In recognition of this growth Belfast
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1568-428: The first three words of the motto. The coat of arms of the city (pictured, above right) are blazoned as Party per fesse argent and azure, in chief a pile vair and on a canton gules a bell argent, in base a ship with sails set argent on waves of the sea proper . This heraldic language describes a shield that is divided in two horizontally ( party per fesse ). The top ( chief ) of the shield is silver ( argent ), and has
1617-570: The last few elections, almost overtaking the unionist representation in the 2019 election. For further details see 2023 Belfast City Council election . The council area is subdivided into 60 electoral wards , nominally one for each elected councillor. However, as the PR-STV voting system requires multi-seat constituencies , the 60 wards are grouped into ten district electoral areas (DEA) which elect between five and seven councillors each: The current members are: The Lord Mayor of Belfast
1666-443: The late 18th century onwards, the city's Roman Catholic population gradually increased, although the city was still dominated by its mostly Ulster Protestant majority. The council was dominated by unionists from its inception until 1997, when they lost overall control for the first time in its history, with the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland gaining the balance of power between Irish nationalists and unionists. This position
1715-424: The members of the council are divided. The posts of chairman and deputy chairman of committees are allocated on the basis of the d'Hondt system of proportionality: Minutes of meetings of council committees and subcommittees are available at Belfast City Council (searchable) and at Belfast NI Gov Wiki (unofficial site). The council has seven departments. The area covered by the current Belfast City Council has
1764-415: The night of the vote, unionist and loyalist protesters tried to storm the City Hall. They held protests throughout Northern Ireland , some of which became violent. The hall features towers at each of the four corners, with a lantern -crowned 173 ft (53 m) green copper dome in the centre. The pediment sculpture is by F. W. Pomeroy , assisted by local carver J. Edgar Winter, and features on
1813-609: The population aged 3 years old and over: On Census Day 27 March 2011, considering the population aged 16 years old and over: Level 1 is 1–4 O Levels/CSE/GCSE (any grades) or equivalent On Census Day 27 March 2011, considering the population aged 16 to 74 years old: Long-term unemployed are those who stated that they have not worked since 2009 or earlier 54°35′38″N 5°55′46″W / 54.59389°N 5.92944°W / 54.59389; -5.92944 Belfast City Hall Belfast City Hall ( Irish : Halla na Cathrach Bhéal Feirste ; Ulster-Scots : Bilfawst Citie Haw )
1862-552: The proposed Tullycarnet ward became instead the Castlereagh Borough Council wards of Tullycarnet and Gilnahirk, leaving Belfast with 51. Although the county borough of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1888, the city continues to be viewed as straddling County Antrim and County Down with the River Lagan generally being seen as the line of demarcation. From
1911-859: The reverse side of the current series of £10, £20, £50 and £100 sterling banknotes issued by the Northern Bank . The interior has a number of notable features including the Porte-Cochère and Grand Entrance, the Grand Staircase, the Reception Room and the Banqueting Hall. The roof above the Banqueting Hall was destroyed during the Belfast blitz on the night of 4/5 May 1941 and had to be rebuilt. Carrara , Pavonazzo and Brescia marbles are used extensively throughout
1960-551: The site they selected was once the home of the White Linen Hall, an important international Linen Exchange. The street that runs from the back door of Belfast City Hall through the middle of Linen Quarter is Linen Hall Street. Belfast Corporation used their profits from the gas industry to pay for the construction of the Belfast City Hall. The building, which was designed by Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas in
2009-576: The usually resident population of Belfast Local Government District was 333,871 accounting for 18.44% of the NI total. This represents a 1.60% increase since the 2001 Census. On Census Day 27 March 2011, in Belfast Local Government District (2014), considering the resident population: Respondents could indicate more than one national identity On Census Day 27 March 2011, in Belfast Local Government District (2014), considering
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2058-532: Was confirmed in the three subsequent council elections, with mayors from the Irish nationalist Sinn Féin and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and the cross-community Alliance Party regularly elected since 1997. The election in 2011 saw Irish nationalist councillors outnumber unionist councillors for the first time, 24–21, with Sinn Féin becoming the largest party, and the Alliance Party maintaining
2107-2003: Was created for the 1985 local elections. Legoniel, Ballysillan and Ardoyne wards had previously been part of Area E , New Lodge and the southern half of the Waterworks ward had been in Area G , while Cliftonville and the northern half of Waterworks ward had been in Area H . 2019: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x People Before Profit 2023: 4 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent 2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from People Before Profit, Independent leaves SDLP 2014: 3 × Sinn Féin, 1 × SDLP, 1 × DUP, 1 × PUP 2019: 3 × Sinn Féin, 1 × SDLP, 1 × DUP, 1 × People Before Profit 2014-2019 Change: People Before Profit gain from PUP 2011: 3 x Sinn Féin, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 2014: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x PUP 2011-2014 Change: PUP gain from DUP 2005: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUP 2011: 3 x Sinn Féin, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP 2005-2011 Change: DUP gain from UUP 2001: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x PUP 2005: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUP 2001-2005 Change: UUP gain from PUP 1997: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUP, 1 x PUP 2001: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x PUP 1997-2001 Change: DUP gain from UUP 1993: 3 x Sinn Féin, 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP 1997: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x UUP, 1 x PUP 1993-1997 Change: PUP gain from UUP 1989: 2 x Sinn Féin, 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Workers' Party 1993: 3 x Sinn Féin, 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP 1989-1993 Change: Sinn Féin gain from Workers' Party 1985: 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Workers' Party 1989: 2 x Sinn Féin, 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Workers' Party 1985-1989 Change: UUP gain from DUP 1985: 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Workers' Party Belfast City Council Belfast City Council ( Irish : Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste )
2156-606: Was dedicated in June 1920. The grounds also house Northern Ireland's main war memorial, the Garden of Remembrance and Cenotaph , unveiled in 1929. There is also a granite column dedicated to the American Expeditionary Force , many of whom were based in Belfast prior to D-Day , unveiled in 1943. A 6-foot-high (1.8 m) memorial to Leading Seaman James Magennis VC , made from Portland stone and bronze,
2205-660: Was erected in the grounds in October 1999. On 3 January 2006 Belfast City Councillors ratified a plan to erect a statue to the late Belfast footballer George Best in the grounds of the City Hall. Following approval from the Best family, the George Best Memorial Trust was created in December 2006. The trust's patron David Healy contributed £1,000 to the estimated total cost of £200,000. In October 2007
2254-514: Was granted city status in 1888 and by 1901, it was the largest city in Ireland. The city's importance was evidenced by the construction of the lavish City Hall , completed in 1906. The body now known as Belfast City Council has its origins in the defunct Belfast Corporation, and was created in its current form following the local council elections of May 1973. Originally it was intended that there would be 52 wards. However, local enquiries meant that
2303-467: Was in recognition of Belfast's rapid expansion and thriving linen , rope-making , shipbuilding and engineering industries. During this period Belfast briefly overtook Dublin as the most populous city in Ireland . It was in this context that in the late 19th century the new city leaders formed the view that the Victoria Street building was not imposing enough and decided to commission a new building:
2352-555: Was reduced to its current term of one year. From its formation in 1921 until its abolition in 1972, the Lord Mayor was automatically entitled to a seat in the Senate of Northern Ireland . For most of the city's modern history, the position has been held by unionists , with members of the Ulster Unionist Party holding the post for a total of 61 of the 67 years between 1921 and 1997. The first non-unionist Lord Mayor since
2401-551: Was restyled the 'Mayor of Belfast'. When Belfast was granted city status in 1892, the position was given Lord Mayor status, making it one of only three cities on the island of Ireland having a Lord Mayor, the other two being Cork and Dublin . In 1929, it became one of only six cities in the United Kingdom to have a Lord Mayor styled "the Right Honourable". Until 1973 the position was held for three years, when it
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