Difference between revisions of "Belfast"
(named because of the much-diminished River Farset - not the Lagan) |
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| − | Belfast is the capital of [[Northern Ireland]]. Its name means, "the sandy ford at the mouth of the river", reflecting its position on the estuary of the River | + | Belfast is the capital of [[Northern Ireland]]. Its name means, "the sandy ford at the mouth of the river", reflecting its position on the estuary of the River Lagan. Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland, and the second largest city on the island of [[Ireland]]. |
Belfast was founded in the early seventeenth century when King [[James I]] of [[England]] granted land in the vicinity and the right to create a borough to Sir Arthur Chichester in 1611. As the small port developed its population grew from 2,500 in 1700 to 20,000 in 1800. The 19th century saw rapid industrialisation of the city. Industries included shipbuilding (most famously after 1862 by the yard of Harland & Wolff, builders of the RMS [[Titanic]]), linen weaving (which had begun in the previous century on a household basis but was organised in large factories and mills in the nineteenth century), engineering and distilling of [[whiskey]] and [[gin]]. Belfast was [[Ireland]]'s main industrial centre in part because it could import coal cheaply from the coalfields of the west of [[Scotland]]. By 1901 the population had risen to 349,000. | Belfast was founded in the early seventeenth century when King [[James I]] of [[England]] granted land in the vicinity and the right to create a borough to Sir Arthur Chichester in 1611. As the small port developed its population grew from 2,500 in 1700 to 20,000 in 1800. The 19th century saw rapid industrialisation of the city. Industries included shipbuilding (most famously after 1862 by the yard of Harland & Wolff, builders of the RMS [[Titanic]]), linen weaving (which had begun in the previous century on a household basis but was organised in large factories and mills in the nineteenth century), engineering and distilling of [[whiskey]] and [[gin]]. Belfast was [[Ireland]]'s main industrial centre in part because it could import coal cheaply from the coalfields of the west of [[Scotland]]. By 1901 the population had risen to 349,000. | ||
| − | In the twentieth century Belfast suffered from a decline in its staple industries. It was also badly affected by two major bouts of civil disturbance. The first of these occurred in the early 1920s, as the Irish War of Independence was taking place. | + | In the twentieth century Belfast suffered from a decline in its staple industries. It was also badly affected by two major bouts of civil disturbance. The first of these occurred in the early 1920s, as the Irish War of Independence was taking place. The second took place from 1968 to 1997, part of 'the Troubles' that afflicted Northern Ireland at this time. Since 1997 Belfast has thrived as a 'city break' destination as part of a so-called 'peace dividend', and there has been much development along the Lagan waterfront. |
| − | Belfast is served by two airports: Aldergrove, | + | Belfast is served by two airports: Aldergrove, 20 miles west on the shore of [[Lough Neagh]], and Belfast City, in the eastern suburbs of the city. It is linked by rail to [[Dublin]] and [[Derry]]/[[Londonderry]], and ferry services connect Belfast to [[Stranraer]] and [[Cairnryan]] in south-west Scotland and to [[Liverpool]] in north-west England. |
== External Link == | == External Link == | ||
http://www.localhistories.org/belfast.html | http://www.localhistories.org/belfast.html | ||
| + | [[Category:Cities]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Ireland]] | ||
[[Category:Northern Ireland]] | [[Category:Northern Ireland]] | ||
| − | |||
Revision as of 18:29, November 24, 2007
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Its name means, "the sandy ford at the mouth of the river", reflecting its position on the estuary of the River Lagan. Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland, and the second largest city on the island of Ireland.
Belfast was founded in the early seventeenth century when King James I of England granted land in the vicinity and the right to create a borough to Sir Arthur Chichester in 1611. As the small port developed its population grew from 2,500 in 1700 to 20,000 in 1800. The 19th century saw rapid industrialisation of the city. Industries included shipbuilding (most famously after 1862 by the yard of Harland & Wolff, builders of the RMS Titanic), linen weaving (which had begun in the previous century on a household basis but was organised in large factories and mills in the nineteenth century), engineering and distilling of whiskey and gin. Belfast was Ireland's main industrial centre in part because it could import coal cheaply from the coalfields of the west of Scotland. By 1901 the population had risen to 349,000.
In the twentieth century Belfast suffered from a decline in its staple industries. It was also badly affected by two major bouts of civil disturbance. The first of these occurred in the early 1920s, as the Irish War of Independence was taking place. The second took place from 1968 to 1997, part of 'the Troubles' that afflicted Northern Ireland at this time. Since 1997 Belfast has thrived as a 'city break' destination as part of a so-called 'peace dividend', and there has been much development along the Lagan waterfront.
Belfast is served by two airports: Aldergrove, 20 miles west on the shore of Lough Neagh, and Belfast City, in the eastern suburbs of the city. It is linked by rail to Dublin and Derry/Londonderry, and ferry services connect Belfast to Stranraer and Cairnryan in south-west Scotland and to Liverpool in north-west England.
