Belfast Photo Gallery - City Hall

The origins of building a grand civic building started in 1888 when Queen Victoria granted Belfast city status. Completed in 1906, the Baroque Revival City Hall sits as Donegall Square's main landmark. Costing 369,000 pounds to build at the time, it has lavish furnishings and a dome patterned after St. Paul's in London. Guided tours will provide access to many interior spaces and are reasonably-priced at 6 pounds per person.

The tour beguns in front of the Grand Staircase beneath the huge dome.

Portraits of the Lord Mayors adorne the hall, with 1 particular painting having suffered damage during the 1941 Blitz but kept unrestored as a reminder of the war.

The Robing Room showcases the ornaments worn and visitors on the tour can even try out a robe as well.

60 elected members of the City Council meet in this Chamber monthly. The Northern Ireland Parliament was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in this room in 1921, shortly after Northern Ireland was created earlier in the year. It would subsequently move to Stormont further east after their new building is completed.

The tour was quite good and I would recommend taking it, but don't forget there is also a free exhibition on the ground floor.