Just 60 centimetres beneath the surface of Belfast city centre, the River Farset has flowed for over 170 years. In fact, despite being largely forgotten, the Farset may just be the very reason for Belfast’s existence - it has been claimed that Belfast was founded at the very spot where the Farset flowed into the more famous (and visible) Lagan. By the end of the 19th century, the Farset had made Belfast into the world’s largest linen manufacturer, with over 50,000 people working in the mills alongside it. However, the overwhelming stench from the river, where rubbish was freely discarded, caused much public protest, leading to the river being sealed in 1848. While the river itself is now invisible, a piece of the history can still be seen in the form of the Albert Memorial Clock which leans at a slant of 1.25 metres because it was built on marshy, reclaimed land.placeholder image
Just 60 centimetres beneath the surface of Belfast city centre, the River Farset has flowed for over 170 years. In fact, despite being largely forgotten, the Farset may just be the very reason for Belfast’s existence - it has been claimed that Belfast was founded at the very spot where the Farset flowed into the more famous (and visible) Lagan. By the end of the 19th century, the Farset had made Belfast into the world’s largest linen manufacturer, with over 50,000 people working in the mills alongside it. However, the overwhelming stench from the river, where rubbish was freely discarded, caused much public protest, leading to the river being sealed in 1848. While the river itself is now invisible, a piece of the history can still be seen in the form of the Albert Memorial Clock which leans at a slant of 1.25 metres because it was built on marshy, reclaimed land.

11 things you probably didn’t know about the history of Belfast city centre

By Conor McAteer
Published 10th Oct 2022, 15:06 GMT

As you stroll through the streets of central Belfast, you may not necessarily stop to think about the storied history of the heart of Northern Ireland’s capital, but there are certainly plenty of stories to be told.

From historical tales to bizarre facts, there is far more than meets the eye when it comes to the heritage of one of Europe’s most loved cities.

There isn’t a section of Belfast that doesn’t come with a backstory, making it an incredibly intriguing hotspot for history.

Including modern-day marvels and centuries-old facts, this definitive list of the capital’s most unusual facts is sure to show you a different side to the place you think you know.

Additional reporting by Maisie Laughton

Long before the shopping centre with its signature dome opened in 2008, one of the biggest buildings in Belfast, Churchill House, was built in 1906. In the late 19th century, the soft drinks company Cantrell and Cochrane was based here as well. In the 1870s, the Jaffe Fountain was built here by former Lord Mayor Otto Jaffe as a memorial to his late father. In 1933, it was moved to Botanic Gardens where it was neglected, but it was fully restored and moved to its original location in 2008 - the entrance to Victoria Square from Victoria Street.

5. The Original Victoria Square

Long before the shopping centre with its signature dome opened in 2008, one of the biggest buildings in Belfast, Churchill House, was built in 1906. In the late 19th century, the soft drinks company Cantrell and Cochrane was based here as well. In the 1870s, the Jaffe Fountain was built here by former Lord Mayor Otto Jaffe as a memorial to his late father. In 1933, it was moved to Botanic Gardens where it was neglected, but it was fully restored and moved to its original location in 2008 - the entrance to Victoria Square from Victoria Street. Photo: Contributed

Originally constructed in 1936, this three-floor arcade of eclectic shops housed beneath a glass roof and on a tiled walkway, breathed new life into a historically derelict area. In the 1990s, following another period of deprivation, low-cost artisans began renting units within the arcade. Evenings of poetry and live music in Arcadia were accompanied by the Good Vibrations music shop, Factotum, an art gallery and the offices of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. However, on the morning of 17 April 2004, the Arcade was destroyed as the result of an arson attack. Since then, the area has been vacant, but locals will never forget the exciting energy that animated the North Street Arcade.

6. North Street Arcade

Originally constructed in 1936, this three-floor arcade of eclectic shops housed beneath a glass roof and on a tiled walkway, breathed new life into a historically derelict area. In the 1990s, following another period of deprivation, low-cost artisans began renting units within the arcade. Evenings of poetry and live music in Arcadia were accompanied by the Good Vibrations music shop, Factotum, an art gallery and the offices of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. However, on the morning of 17 April 2004, the Arcade was destroyed as the result of an arson attack. Since then, the area has been vacant, but locals will never forget the exciting energy that animated the North Street Arcade. Photo: Contributed

Pottinger’s lane was first recorded on a city map in 1715, and was named after the successful mercantile Pottinger family, who had emigrated to Ireland from the Orkney Islands. Its famous pub, The Morning Star was established in 1810 as a coaching stop for mail coaches travelling between Belfast and Dublin. It is said that the pub got its name from the local postal workers, who arrived so early that the morning star was still visible in the lightening sky. In 1892, publicians James McEntee and Henry McKenna added the pub’s Victorian features, while the exterior sign and horse-show bar were both added in 1924. While there is little sign of most of the original buildings along Pottinger’s Entry, the area is once again a thriving pedestrianised area of restaurants and shops.

7. Pottinger’s Entry - one of the city’s oldest streets

Pottinger’s lane was first recorded on a city map in 1715, and was named after the successful mercantile Pottinger family, who had emigrated to Ireland from the Orkney Islands. Its famous pub, The Morning Star was established in 1810 as a coaching stop for mail coaches travelling between Belfast and Dublin. It is said that the pub got its name from the local postal workers, who arrived so early that the morning star was still visible in the lightening sky. In 1892, publicians James McEntee and Henry McKenna added the pub’s Victorian features, while the exterior sign and horse-show bar were both added in 1924. While there is little sign of most of the original buildings along Pottinger’s Entry, the area is once again a thriving pedestrianised area of restaurants and shops. Photo: Contributed

Now owned by Hastings Hotels, the Europa Hotel earned the title of the 'most bombed hotel in the world.' The now four-star hotel, suffered the impact of an estimated 33 bombs during the Troubles, none of which managed to successfully demolish the building completely. It has since been penned as a historical delight, with guests being able to stay in a piece of Northern Ireland and the wider world’s history. It was featured recently on The Hotel People, a BBC series which followed a series of Hastings Hotels as they battled against the hugely costly effects of the pandemic. It is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

8. The Europa Hotel’s Explosive Past

Now owned by Hastings Hotels, the Europa Hotel earned the title of the 'most bombed hotel in the world.' The now four-star hotel, suffered the impact of an estimated 33 bombs during the Troubles, none of which managed to successfully demolish the building completely. It has since been penned as a historical delight, with guests being able to stay in a piece of Northern Ireland and the wider world’s history. It was featured recently on The Hotel People, a BBC series which followed a series of Hastings Hotels as they battled against the hugely costly effects of the pandemic. It is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. Photo: Contributed

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