20 Incredible Then-and-Now Photos Show Street Scenes of Belfast in the Past _ Ye Olde England Chronicles

   

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)