Laganside Venues

Cotton Court is a refurbished cotton warehouse in Waring Street, Belfast.  The attractive paved area in front of Cotton Court is available for hire for various outdoor events and performances.

 

Within walking distance of the City Hall, the Lagan Weir has become one of Belfast’s most recognisable features, particularly at night when it is floodlit in neon blue.

The Lagan Weir is not only a modern control system for the river but its underground tunnel is available for booking as a performance area.

A 4.8km stretch of the River Lagan, extending from the Lagan Weir at Donegall Quay to the Stranmillis Weir, can also be booked for river based events.

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.

 

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.

The Square is dominated by the two-storey Italianate Custom House which was designed by the renowned Belfast architect Charles Lanyon and completed in 1857.

For many years Custom House Square was the site of Belfast’s ‘Speakers’ Corner’ where large crowds regularly gathered at the foot of Custom House steps to hear and heckle the orators of the day. This history is reflected today by the presence on the steps of ‘The Speaker’, a life size bronze statue by Belfast born sculptor Gareth Knowles and the large copper based lights along the edge of the square are aptly named the ‘Hecklers.’

Surrounding the Square are some of Belfast’s oldest buildings including the Albert Clock, the Northern Bank, Scottish Amicable and McHugh’s Bar established in 1711. The historic Calder Fountain, Belfast’s first and oldest drinking fountain for horses, has been expertly restored and now sits close to its original location beside Custom House.

Size of venue: 3,200m2
Maximum capacity: 5000
3 phase power supply
Water supply and sewerage
Parking
Access for Disabled

Essential information for event organisers:
Download information leaflet on Custom House Square (PDF 1.47MB)

 

Lanyon Place, home to the Waterfront Hall, has an attractive area close to the riverside, ideal for outdoor musical events and street theatre.

Maximum Capacity: 3000
Parking
Access for Disabled

 

Barrow Square is at Clarendon Dock and backs on to two of Belfast’s best known pubs for folk music, The Rotterdam Bar and Pat’s Bar. The paved performance area of Barrow Square has played host to an evening of traditional music for St Patrick’s Day and staged several rock & roll festivals. It provides a wonderful amphitheatre for outside performances.

Size of Venue: 3,045 m2
Maximum Capacity: 1,500
Parking
Access for Disabled

 

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 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.

Size of Venue: 1,370 m2
Maximum Capacity: 1,000
Parking
Access for disabled