Public art and memorials in Belfast

Belfast’s landscape is defined by its public art, ranging from the ancient henge at the Giant’s Ring to contemporary installations like the 19.5-meter Thanksgiving Statue. This collection includes the iconic Big Fish with its historical ceramic tiles, the massive hyper-radial Fresnel lens of The Great Light in the Titanic Quarter, and the poignant murals of the International Peace Wall. Memorials throughout the city, such as the Belfast Blitz Memorial and the Royal Ulster Rifles monument, provide concrete links to the city's complex social and historical narrative.

Public Art & Memorials — Map

William Murphy / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

The Big Fish

Also known as the Salmon of Knowledge, this 10-meter-long sculpture by John Kindness is clad in ceramic tiles depicting scenes from Belfast's history.

Ardfern / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Thanksgiving Statue

The Beacon of Hope or Thanksgiving Square Beacon is a £300,000 public art metal sculpture by Andy Scott 19.5 metres high constructed in…

robertpaulyoung / CC BY 2.0

C

Giants Ring

The Giant's Ring is a henge monument at Ballynahatty, near Shaw's Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

D

WWI Memorial

Located near Queen's University, this monument honors the members of the Royal Ulster Rifles who served during the First World War.

E

The Great Light

A massive hyper-radial Fresnel lens formerly used in the Mew Island Lighthouse. It is one of the largest lighthouse optics ever constructed.

F

McGurk's Bar bombing tombstone and commemorative plaque

On 4 December 1971, the Ulster Volunteer Force, an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group, detonated a bomb at McGurk's Bar in Belfast,…

G

Clonard Martyrs Memorial

A Republican memorial garden on Bombay Street commemorating local IRA members and civilians killed during the Troubles.

H

International peace wall

A segment of the city's security barriers featuring an evolving series of murals that address global themes of conflict, peace, and human rights.

I

International Wall - Mural

A prominent section of the Falls Road peace line known for its political murals and international solidarity art.

J

RISE

A 37.5-meter-high dual-sphere sculpture by Wolfgang Buttress, symbolizing the rising sun and the city's ongoing regeneration.

K

McCrudden ORawe Jordan Memorial

A Republican commemorative site in West Belfast dedicated to local volunteers.

L

Queen Victoria

A bronze statue by Sir Thomas Brock situated in front of Belfast City Hall, unveiled in 1906 to mark the city's municipal status.

M

Belfast Blitz Memorial

Located at City Hall, this monument commemorates the hundreds of civilians killed during the Luftwaffe bombing raids of 1941.

N

William Conor's Corner

A bronze sculpture depicting the celebrated Belfast artist William Conor, known for his portrayals of the city's working-class life.

O

Mary Peters Statue

Bronze sculpture of the Olympic pentathlon gold medalist, located at the Mary Peters Track in South Belfast.

P

Hands

A stone sculpture located within the Lagan Valley Regional Park as part of a local art trail.

Q

Cake and Eat it

A contemporary sculpture situated in the Lagan Valley Regional Park near the Giant's Ring.

R

The Flying Angel

A bronze sculpture by Robert J. Woods located at the Flying Angel Centre, representing the Mission to Seafarers.

S

Blinks

A contemporary sculpture located in the Harbour area near the Titanic Quarter.

T

Mole

A public artwork located along the paths of the Lagan Valley Regional Park.

U

The Seahorse

A large sculpture by Ralf Sander located at the entrance to the Port of Belfast, representing the city's maritime heritage.

V

Unmasked Figure Sculpture

A contemporary bronze figure located within the grounds of the Stormont Estate.

W

Reconciliation Sculpture

A bronze work by Josefina de Vasconcellos at Stormont Estate, depicting two figures embracing across a divide.

X

The Gleaner

A sculpture by F.E. McWilliam located at Stormont Estate, depicting a figure harvesting.

Y

sculpture

A carved tree trunk sculpture located within the Stormont Estate grounds.

Z

Dolmen (folly)

A 19th-century landscape folly built in the style of a prehistoric dolmen, located near Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park.

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