Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom and the second-largest on the island of Ireland.
By the early 19th century, Belfast became a major port. Shipbuilding was a key industry; the Harland and Wolff shipyard, which built the RMS Titanic, was the world’s biggest shipyard.
Belfast is still a port with commercial and industrial docks, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard, dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline. It is a Gamma global city in 2018.
These incredible then-and-now photos from Public Record Office of Northern Ireland that give you a step into the past of Belfast.
 |
| Cromac Square/Cromac Place, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 11th February 1915) |
 |
| Bank Street, leading to Chappel Lane, Belfast, with Kelly's Wine & Spirit Store in the foreground (now Kelly's Cellars) and St Mary's Church in the background (19th April 1915 & 22nd April 2015) |
 |
| Bedford Street, Belfast, showing the Ulster Hall (circa 1890s & April 2019) |
 |
| Belfast City Hall (1914 & 17th December 2014) |
 |
| Belfast City Hall seen from Donegal Place (circa 1890s & April 2015) |
 |
| Carlisle Circus, Belfast (12th December 2014 & circa 1890s) |
 |
| Castle Place, Belfast showing the Bank Buildings (12th December 2014 & circa 1890s) |
 |
| Corner of Library Street and Royal Avenue, Belfast (circa 1930s & April 2015) |
 |
| Donegal Place, Belfast (April 2015 & 1888) |
 |
| Entrance to Botanic Gardens, Belfast (circa 1890s & April 2019) |
 |
| Junction of Antrim Road and Cavehill Road, Belfast (17th December 2014 & 27th April 1915) |
 |
| Junction of May Street and Market Street, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 11th February 1915) |
 |
| Linenhall Library, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 1902) |
 |
| Queen's Bridge, Belfast (17th December 2014 & 1888) |
 |
| Queen's University, Belfast (April 2019 & 1888) |
 |
| Queue of people boarding a tram outside the Shankill Road Mission (circa 1910 & 12th December 2014) |