Travel Blog

History and background

Belfast Waterfront opened for business in 1997 and has played a key role in Belfast’s economic and social development since then. Many jobs were created as part of this development as well as ongoing operation. The city is now recognized as a major European destination for conferencing, culture and business investment. This is the premiere facility in the city with many shows, restaurants and bars coming to the area as a result. This entire area is an example of what can happen when a city follows a revitalization of its core downtown area. It takes commitment by city leaders as well as consumers to make these types of things a success, and the Irish certainly have demonstrated this commitment.

Waterfront Hall – Belfast – What They Offer

They advertise that they are an  award-winning, purpose-built conference, arts and entertainment center offering a variety of facilities including:

• Main Auditorium
• Studio
• 14 meeting rooms
• gallery space
• gift shop
• restaurant
• two bars.

As well as hosting events, they serve local residents and provide community groups with access to truly  world-class facilities.

Waterfront Hall employees 50 full-time employees and more than 100 casual members of staff.

To date, they have:

• welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors
• hosted more than 2,400 national and international conferences
• staged more than 3,800 arts and entertainment events
• sold more than 3.5 million tickets
• attracted more than 100,000 overseas conference delegates.

Here are some facts about the Belfast Waterfront:

• the building opened to the public on 17 January 1997 after 15 years of planning and consultation and three years of building work
• it was officially opened in May 1997 by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales
• Belfast Waterfront cost £32 million to build
• the  Main Auditorium seats 2,223 people
• the  Studio seats 380 people
• it  offers 14 meeting rooms, two bars, one restaurant and one shop
• they employ 50 permanent members of staff and more than 100 casual employees.

Over the past 12 years, Belfast Waterfront has:

• staged more than 3,800 performances
• hosted more than 2,400 conferences and meetings
• sold more than 3.5 million tickets
• welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors
• contributed £575 million to the local economy
• generated £10 to the local economy for every £1 spent on operational costs
• attracted more than 100,000 overseas conference delegates
• been voted number 1 in The Times ‘Top Things To Do This Festive Season’ for our 2006 Christmas pantomime.

Artists who have performed in the venue include:

• Dolly Parton
• Ronan Keating
• James Brown
• Van Morrison
• Beverley Knight
• Tom Jones
• Shirley Bassey
• Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
• Lesley Garrett
• Billy Connolly.

Other famous visitors include:

• His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales
• Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
• former Prime Minister Tony Blair
• former US President Bill Clinton
• Cherie Booth QC
• President Mary McAleese
• Dalai Lama.

This is one location that tourists should take some time to visit while in Belfast Ireland. For more things to do in Ireland, click here.

 

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