Smithfield Market and Library Quarter, Belfast
Encyclopedia
Smithfield and Union is one of the Belfast quarters
established by Belfast City Council
in the 21st century. Initially designated the Smithfield Market and Library quarter, the current name was adopted in 2011. Based around the north of Belfast City Centre
it extends from North Street to Frederick Street and is bounded by Royal Avenue/York Street and Carrick Hill/Millfield. It houses Belfast Central Library
and two of the main daily newspapers The Irish News
and The Belfast Telegraph
.
has announced plans to relocate its main campus from Jordanstown
to its site in Smithfield and Union as part of a £250 million plan which will relocate approximately 13,000 students in the city centre.
Smithfield and Union contains Smithfield Market, a shopping area that dates back to the nineteenth century, and Clifton Street Poor House as well as Donegall Street Congregational Church and St Patrick's Catholic Church. Smithfield & Union also houses the recently restored St Patrick's National School which was the first Catholic National School in Belfast.
The art deco Bank of Ireland
is located on the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street. The Frames building (also known as The Library House) is a former warehouse and now operates as a public house, this building has now been listed by the Environmental and Heritage Service and is located in Little Donegall Street.
The area contains entertainment venues such as the Front Page (Donegall Street) which consistently premieres many local bands, it also is home to McElhattons, one of Belfast's traditional bars. The Kremlin Complex which includes the Union Street Bar is also a major attraction in Smithfield & Union.
Linen House Backpackers hostel which has accommodation for 130 guests is based in Kent Street. This is the only hostel which is actually located in Belfast City centre.
Smithfield & Union contains many of Belfast's major historic sites including Clifton Street's historic cemetery which contains two of the largest famine graves in Ireland as well as being the final resting place of Henry Joy McCracken
who was one of the main leaders of the United Irishmen's rebellion of 1798. William Drennan who created the description of Ireland as the "Emerald Isle" is also buried here.
Belfast Quarters
The Belfast Quarters refer to a number of distinctive cultural zones within the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland, whose identities have been developed as a spur to tourism and urban regeneration...
established by Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
in the 21st century. Initially designated the Smithfield Market and Library quarter, the current name was adopted in 2011. Based around the north of Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Centre
Belfast city centre is the central business district of Belfast, Northern Ireland.The city centre was originally centred around the Donegall Street area. Donegall Street is now mainly a business area, but with expanding residential and entertainment development as part of the Cathedral Quarter...
it extends from North Street to Frederick Street and is bounded by Royal Avenue/York Street and Carrick Hill/Millfield. It houses Belfast Central Library
Belfast Central Library
Belfast Central Library is a public library in Royal Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Opened in 1888, it was one of the first major public library buildings in Ireland....
and two of the main daily newspapers The Irish News
The Irish News
The Irish News is a compact-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist in outlook...
and The Belfast Telegraph
The Belfast Telegraph
The Belfast Telegraph is a daily evening newspaper published in Belfast, Northern Ireland by Independent News & Media.It was first published as the Belfast Evening Telegraph on 1 September 1870 by brothers William and George Baird...
.
Area
The University of UlsterUniversity of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
has announced plans to relocate its main campus from Jordanstown
Jordanstown
Jordanstown is the name of a townland and electoral ward in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is within the urban area called Newtownabbey and the wider Newtownabbey Borough....
to its site in Smithfield and Union as part of a £250 million plan which will relocate approximately 13,000 students in the city centre.
Smithfield and Union contains Smithfield Market, a shopping area that dates back to the nineteenth century, and Clifton Street Poor House as well as Donegall Street Congregational Church and St Patrick's Catholic Church. Smithfield & Union also houses the recently restored St Patrick's National School which was the first Catholic National School in Belfast.
The art deco Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
is located on the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street. The Frames building (also known as The Library House) is a former warehouse and now operates as a public house, this building has now been listed by the Environmental and Heritage Service and is located in Little Donegall Street.
The area contains entertainment venues such as the Front Page (Donegall Street) which consistently premieres many local bands, it also is home to McElhattons, one of Belfast's traditional bars. The Kremlin Complex which includes the Union Street Bar is also a major attraction in Smithfield & Union.
Linen House Backpackers hostel which has accommodation for 130 guests is based in Kent Street. This is the only hostel which is actually located in Belfast City centre.
Smithfield & Union contains many of Belfast's major historic sites including Clifton Street's historic cemetery which contains two of the largest famine graves in Ireland as well as being the final resting place of Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken was an Irish industrialist and a founding member of the Society of the United Irishmen.-History:...
who was one of the main leaders of the United Irishmen's rebellion of 1798. William Drennan who created the description of Ireland as the "Emerald Isle" is also buried here.