The name Belfast is the anglicised version of the Irish ”Béal Feirste”, which means “Mouth of the (River) Farset”. This refers to the sand bar that formed where the River Farset met the River Langan at Donegal Quay and flowed into Belfast Lough, which became the centre around which Belfast City developed.

Belfast has been occupied from as far back as the Bronze Age. The Giants Ring, a 5000 –year-old henge, is located near the city and the remains of Iron Age hill forts can still be seen in the surrounding hill areas.

1177 – John De Courcy, an Englishman built a castle, on what is now Castle Street in the city centre.

1609 –Belfast grew up following King James starting his policy of settling Englishmen and Scots in Ulster.

1611 – Englishmen, Scots and Manxmen were living ain the thriving community of Belfast.

1613 – Belfast was made a corporation and afterwards it sent 2 MPs to parliament.

1680 – Belfast gained a piped water supply ( using wooden pipes).  After 1686 each householder was supposed to hang a lantern outside their house at night during the winter.

17th Century –  In the early part of the century Belfast was a small town with an approximate population of only 1000 people. It was a busy place, however, as they exported wool, hides, grain, butter and salted meat to England, Scotland and France. In return Wine and fruit were imported into Belfast from France and Spain.  Towards the latter end of the century Belfast had begun trading with North American colonies in tobacco and sugar was imported from the West Indies and then refined in Belfast. The end of the century saw the population rise to between 1,500 – 2000. The rise was mainly due to French Protestants who were fleeing religious persecution in their own country. Upon settling they introduced linen weaving to Belfast.

18th Century -  In 1708 Belfast castle burnt down. The town itself, however grew rapidly and by 1800 it had a population of around 20,000.

1737 – The first newspaper was established

1752 – The first bank was opened

1768 – The first theatre was opened.

1777 – Cotton Spinning was introduced to Belfast but it never took on the same importance as Linen which by then had become one of the major exports with up to 17 million yards being exported every year.

1791 – Ship building began

1815 – The first hospital was built on Frederick Street and the first lunatic asylum was built in 1829

1819 – St George’s Church was built

1823 – Belfast had its first gas light

1842 – Belfast was made a borough and then went on to be made a city in 1888

1844 – St Malchy’s Church was built

1845 – Queens University was formed

1862 – The HARLAND AND Wolff shipyard was founded

1869 – Albert Memorial Clock was erected

1870 – Belfast Castle was built by the Marquis of Donegal

1890 – Public Library was built

1895 – Grand Opera House was built

1901 – The population of Belfast was now 349,000 and would rise steadily too 438,000 by 1939

1920 – Belfast was made the Capital of Northern Ireland

1920’s-1930’s – During this period Belfast suffered greatly from mass unemployment. During World War 2 shipbuilding and engineering boomed. These essential industries, however, made it a target for German bombing and the city suffered severely during the blitz. A total of 955 people were killed, 3200 houses were destroyed and the industry to Belfast was heavily impacted.

1933 – Belfast airport was built

1960’s – 1970’s – During this time Belfast dealt with crowded sub – standard housing though this was improved towards the end of the century and many people moved to satellite communities.

1965 – Kings Hall Conference Centre was built

1966 – Queen Elizabeth 2 Bridge opened

1985 – Belfast City Tours began

1989 – Laganside Corporation was formed to regenerate land on both sides of the rive Lagan

1997 – Waterfront Hall opened

21st Century – Today Belfast is a thriving city. Odyssey entertainment centre was built which includes an arena, a cinema, bars and restaurants. Odyssey Arena opened in December 2000 when the Belfast Giants played their first home game. Belfast airport was expanded with a new terminal being opened in 2001.

Today the population of Belfast is approximately 305,000 and its main industries include shipbuilding, computers and whiskey.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.