Laganside
Place of opportunity
Following years of neglect and decline Belfast's waterfront has
been transformed, becoming a focus for business, leisure and
cultural activities and a place of opportunity for all. Laganside
Corporation (1989 - 2007) received international recognition as a
regeneration agency for its achievement in successfully turning the
vision of the Laganside area as an exciting place to live, work and
play into a reality. This success is reflected in the ongoing
momentum for development with the waterfront becoming an integral
part of Belfast's city centre.
A brief history
Belfast is a relatively young city having undergone tremendous
growth and change in the last few centuries. The River Lagan has
always played a key role in the development of the city. Indeed the
city started life as a small settlement on the banks of the River
Farset and the River Lagan, where the Lagan Lookout Visitor Centre
is situated today. The 19th century and the coming of the
Industrial Revolution saw Belfast change from a small town to a
major world-recognised port. Industries such as shipbuilding,
linen, rope-making and tobacco blossomed, and throughout the city
there was evidence of increased wealth and prosperity.
However, over the years Belfast turned its back on its river and
the River Lagan became viewed as nothing more than an industrial
thoroughfare with muddy polluted water, its riverbanks neglected
and derelict. Laganside started life as the 1987 Laganside Concept
Plan, which looked at ways of improving the quality of the River
Lagan and redeveloping the lands along its banks to bring about a
much-needed renaissance. Laganside’s first project, the Lagan Weir,
completed in March 2004, breathed new life into the river and
became the catalyst for the redevelopment of the whole area,
allowing Laganside’s vision to become reality.
The River Lagan
Laganside manages a 4.8km stretch of the River Lagan, extending
from the Lagan Weir at Donegall Quay to the Stranmillis Weir. To
date the river has been used for a variety of water activities,
including jet ski races, bare-foot waterskiing, dragon boat races
and a variety of rowing events, including the first ever boat race
between Queens University and Trinity College and the annual Head
of the River race. In April 2004, as part of the BBC Music Live at
Laganside event, there was a floating stage on the river that
played host to a variety of musical entertainment. The tiered steps
on Lanyon Place provided easy viewing for this spectacular
event. In August 2004 the Red Bull flugtag also took place on
this same stretch of the river.
Riverside Pathways
Over 4km of riverside pathways exist within Laganside, allowing
easy access from the heart of the city to the wide-open spaces of
Lagan Valley Regional Park. These pathways form part of the
Sustrans National Millennium Cycle Network, a new map of which is
available from the Lagan Lookout Visitor Centre, and have been used
for a variety of events including Laganside’s 10k race, cycle fun
days, story telling and mural painting.
The Odyssey Complex
Northern Ireland’s Flagship Millennium Project offers a huge
variety of locations for both indoor and outdoor events. The
component parts of The Odyssey are; an interactive Science Centre,
10,000 seat Indoor Arena which has staged major concerts and
sporting events, Imax Theatre, Multiplex Cinema and Commercial
Leisure Pavilion, not to mention public open space and access onto
the riverside pathways.
Donegall Quay The magnificent Custom House overlooks this public
urban square at Donegall Quay. Donegall Quay is home to the Lagan
Lookout Visitor Centre, Lagan Weir, a public viewing platform,
foot-bridge and the "Big Fish" by John Kindness. The performance
space can accommodate festivals, concerts and outdoor events.
Events here have included a "Black jack and boogie evening" in a
marquee and a theatrical performance inside a 60 ft whale. Donegall
Quay, Queen’s Quay and Queen’s Bridge together with the Weir create
a small arena for water and land based events.
St. George's Market
This important listed building is located in a prominent
location between Lanyon Place and the city centre. Ireland’s oldest
covered market offers fantastic performance space for a variety of
indoor activities. In the past the market has played host to craft
fairs and boxing matches.
Cathedral Quarter
The Cathedral Quarter is one of the oldest districts in Belfast
renowned for its narrow cobbled streets and distinctive listed
buildings. The vision for the area is to create a lively youthful
arts cultural quarter in the heart of the city.
Writers' Square
Writers Square is opposite St. Anne’s Cathedral offers
performance space in an accessible setting which is only a
three-minute walk from the city centre. A number of art galleries
and exhibition rooms, which can accommodate indoor events, are also
located in the area.
Barrow Square
Clarendon Dock is a unique 6 hectare site owned by Belfast
Harbour Commissioners. Contained within the site is the paved
performance area known as Barrow Square. The Square backs on to two
of Belfast’s best known pubs for folk music, The Rotterdam Bar and
Pat’s Bar. Barrow Square has played host to an evening of
traditional music for St Patrick’s Day and staged several rock
& roll festivals in July. It provides a wonderful amphitheatre
for outside performances.
Lanyon Place
Lanyon Place, home to the Waterfront Hall, has an attractive
area of public realm close to the riverside, ideal for outdoor
musical events and street theatre. In April 2004 one of Laganside’s
aspirations was realised when, as part of the BBC Music Live at
Laganside event, Westlife, Ash and Alanis Morissette performed on a
floating stage on the River Lagan.
Custom House Square
Custom House Square, officially launched on 17th May 2005, is
Belfast's premiere outdoor event space. The Square, set against the
fantastic backdrop of the Custom House, is an ideal venue for music
festivals, theatre performances, street carnivals and corporate
functions. It is finished in a high quality natural stone and
is enhanced by attractive lighting and a water feature that traces
the course of the River Farset as it runs from the Albert Clock
along the edge of the square.
Laganside Art Trail
Over 30 pieces of high quality art have been commissioned and
installed throughout Laganside. Through establishing links between
art, its audiences and places, Laganside aimed to bring unique and
distinctive works of art to the area for the benefit of all both
locals and visitors. Each art piece was chosen to enhance the
development space in which it sits. Many have been created by local
artists and a number reflect Belfast’s great industrial history,
while others celebrate its changing face. There are three exciting
trails to follow and details with maps may be found
http://www.laganside.com/arttrails.asp