Film To Show City Hall 'Down The Years'

Unique film to show Belfast City Hall across the years is to be screened in a special event at the building this weekend.

Compiled from the BBC archives to mark the 90th anniversary of the first BBC Services broadcast in Belfast, the film will be shown as part of a series of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) events on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Department of the Environment, EHOD will grant free access to over 400 properties and events in NI, in support of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's (DCAL) 'Decade of Centenaries', the chosen sub-theme this year is 'Anniversaries'.

The official release states:
BBC Services in Northern Ireland began with the first broadcast of 2BE on 15 September 1924. The short film screening in City Hall on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September will show footage of the architecture of City Hall, its history and some of its people over the last 90 years.

Screenings will take place in the Reception Room at 10am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm each day. The event is free but tickets are required with pre-booking made by contacting Visit Belfast Welcome Centre directly on 028 9024 6609 or calling in to the premises on Donegall Square North. 

The showings will coincide with free tours of the City Hall building on both days at 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm lasting an hour.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nichola Mallon, said: "City Hall has featured in many BBC programmes - reflecting its social, political and architectural significance and BBC television has captured the changing story of the building and its central place in the life of the city and beyond.

"I'm very much looking forward to seeing this unique short screening of City Hall within this iconic building in September and would encourage all from near and far to see it too – appreciating the rich history and architecture of City Hall, its people and history. Visitors to City Hall on 13 September and 14 September can also complement their visit by enjoying a tour of this fine building before or after their screening."

Minister for the Environment Mark H Durkan expressed his delight at the bespoke event.

"Like all of our European Heritage Open Days events, this free screening will show people how our local built heritage is linked to our cultural heritage and allow people to see the building as it has never been seen before," he said.

More information on the events can be found Discover Northern Ireland website.