Eight iconic heritage buildings will be lit up at night to highlight their unique features
Sites across North Belfast are set to be illuminated to celebrate heritage and bring new vibrancy to the area after dark.
It’s part of the Re-create a Great Place North Belfast project, with eight of the area’s iconic heritage buildings to be lit up at night as a way of highlighting their unique architectural features.
The new lighting scheme will showcase the Redeemer’s Church’s stunning rose stained-glass window, the front and rear features of Belfast Orange Hall, St Patrick’s Church’s beautiful architecture, the frontage of Frederick Street Meeting House, the original façade of the North Belfast Working Men’s Club, the Georgian architecture of Clifton House, and finally Carnegie Oldpark Library’s original façade signs and crest.
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The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Belfast Charitable Society, and delivered by the North Belfast Heritage Cluster whose mission is improve the area using heritage-led regeneration. The Cluster brings together fourteen heritage organisations across a one-mile stretch of inner-north Belfast, from Donegall Street and Clifton Street, up the Crumlin Road and encompassing part of the Antrim Road.
By celebrating and investing in the area’s built heritage through the Re-create a Great Place North Belfast project, the Cluster aims to drive regeneration and strengthen the sense of community and identity that exists in north Belfast.
Paula Reynolds, Chair of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster explains: “Since 2017, the North Belfast Heritage Cluster has been working hard behind the scenes to build the capacity and sustainability of their historic buildings and heritage sites. That work isn’t always visible to the wider community, but it has been vital in protecting and preparing these places for the future.
“In contrast, this lighting project quite literally shines a spotlight on North Belfast’s remarkable heritage. However, it’s about more than aesthetics – it’s also about making these landmarks more visible and reminding the community and the wider city of the wealth of history and heritage that exists on their doorstep.”
A local resident in North Belfast already noticing the impact commented about Carnegie Oldpark Library: “I have never seen the library beside me lit up since it closed down many, many years ago, but this is giving me Autumn vibes in these darker nights.”
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re able to support the Re-create a Great Place North Belfast project which is committed to celebrating North Belfast and enhancing the area’s existing heritage. The nighttime illumination of a variety of heritage buildings will spark curiosity in their current and former uses whilst sharing and celebrating the beauty of their architectural features.”
Paula Reynolds concludes: “Through initiatives like this lighting project, the Cluster is ensuring the buildings, the stories, and the shared heritage of North Belfast are preserved and celebrated well into the future.”
For further information on the Re-Creating a Great Place North Belfast project and members of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster, visit www.greatplacenorthbelfast.com.
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