Photos

A view on Belfast City Hall, the civic building of the Belfast City Council, situated on Donegall Square, the main square in Belfast. Construction began in 1898 and was completed in 1906. The english architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas supervised the construction. The exterior is built mainly from Portland stone (not the one in US but Isle of Portland, Dorset, in England). This stone was also used to build Buckingham Saint Paul's Cathedral in London or United Nations headquarters in New York City. The gardens surrounding the Belfast City Hall are popular with office workers or tourists, enjoying the green in the summer months. Varoious statues stand in the grounds, including one of Queen Victoria, a memorial to the victims of the sinking of the RMS Titanic (built in Belfast shipyards) ... and soon one of world famous Belfast footballer George Best ! In the background you can see a wheel, Ferris Wheel, 60 meters height, giving passengers panoramic views above the city. It was constructed in october 2007 and was due to remain until january 2009 ... but it was still there when I visited Belfast, in last may !

I took this photo (and many others) on a evening walk in the centre of Belfast City. I was already there in the afternoon, but there were so many people in the streets it was to take good pictures ! The grounds of Belfast City Hall were full in the afternoon ... and deserted when I took this photo ! Actually ground are closed very evening. Moreover the sky was clear and I had a great evening light. I often heard that the best moment to take good photos was on early morning and evening, it is even more true in towns !