Open Heritage Belfast celebrates Belfast’s historic buildings and places with free public events across the city. During COVID-19, we have all had the opportunity to look at our local parks and gardens with fresh eyes. Having access to outdoor spaces where we could meet safely with friends or family, exercise or just have a change of scene, never felt so important.
This year, we will be exploring Belfast’s parks and gardens, and will be offering free walking tours of the Waterworks and Botanic Gardens. Additionally we will be offering drawing and photography workshops; and we will also be producing an online tour of the Waterworks, Botanic Gardens, Falls Park and Victoria Park.
These tours will help you to discover the history behind these green spaces, and allow you to look at them in a new way. Learn about the lost pleasure gardens at Queen’s Island, or ostriches at Ormeau Park. Find out more about the Tropical Ravine and the Palm House, swimming at Falls Park or the Waterworks’ and the Belfast Blitz.
A booklet exploring more of Belfast’s historic green spaces will also be available to pick up free of charge from selected EHOD sites, Linen Hall Library and Belfast Central Library.
Booking for tours and workshops is essential. Find out more and book: ulsterarchitecturalheritage.org.uk/events
Keep up to date. Follow @ulsterahs @BelfastCC #OpenHeritageBelfast
Nikki McVeigh, Chief Executive of Ulster Architectural Heritage:
“UAH are delighted to work with Belfast City Council and to have the opportunity to celebrate the lesser known history of these popular spaces. Belfast’s parks have a wealth of history to explore, and we hope that the public will enjoy learning more about their local parks so we can cherish them even more into the future.”
Councillor Kate Nicholl, Lord Mayor of Belfast:
“Protecting and promoting our city’s history and heritage is a key priority in our cultural strategy, A City Imagining, and this is why Open Heritage Belfast is such a significant project for us. Once again, it is being delivered by Ulster Architectural Heritage on our behalf, with a fascinating line-up of free activities.”
“With safety and convenience in mind, this year, the programme will be hosted in four of our parks. It will enable people to explore the history of those vital outdoor spaces on their very doorsteps – spaces that for many of us, have become a sanctuary over the past 18 months.”
