( This long video of 40 minutes represents a compilation of a number of past footage I shot at Belfast City Cemetery between 2015- 2017. )
Belfast City Cemetery, established in 1869, is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Northern Ireland. Since it was opened, nearly 250,000 people from the very rich to the pauper, have been buried there. The cemetery lies between Falls Road and Springfield Road, near and almost opposite Milltown Cemetery. It is maintained by Belfast City Council. Unfortunately vandalism in the cemetery is widespread. It would not be a place you would wish to be after nightfall.
At present new plans are being drawn up to protect, enhance and promote the cemetery's rich heritage. Over £2 milion National Lottery Heritage has been provided for this purpose. The cemetery provides an important insight into the history of Belfast. It is a recognized historical site and shows many fine examples of Victorian, Edwardian and Gothic revival architecture.
Many of Belfast's leading citizens and other noteable people lie buried there.
Sir Robert Anderson, 1st Baronet - politician, former Lord Mayor of Belfast, co-owner of the Anderson and McAuley department store
Robert Hugh Hanley Baird - (1855 - 1934) - owner of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper for 48 years.
Margaret Byers - educator, activist, social reformer, missionary, and writer
Sir George Clark, 1st Baronet - shipbuilder
Samuel Cleland Davidson - inventor and founder of Belfast Sirocco Works
Denis Donaldson - Former IRA member and Sinn Féin politician; killed as a British spy.
Vere Henry Louis Foster - educationist and philanthropist
Tom Gallaher - tobacco merchant
Edward Harland - shipbuilder
James Henderson - Unionist politician, former Lord Mayor of Belfast.
John Hopkinson - physicist
Daniel Joseph Jaffe - Built Belfast's first synagogue; father of Otto Jaffe, former Lord Mayor of Belfast.
Florence Augusta Lewis - mother of C.S. Lewis
Robert Wilson Lynd - author.
William Henry Lynn - architect
Florence Lewis (died August 1908) - mother of famous author CS Lewis
Thomas Macknight - Political author and biographer.
Francis Maginn - missionary
Valentine McMaster - Victoria Cross (VC) recipient (Indian Mutiny).
Bernard McQuirt - VC recipient, Indian Mutiny. (Grave in pauper plot unmarked; commemorative headstone at Donaghcloney, County Armagh).
Rinty Monaghan - boxer
William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie
Margaret M Pirrie (died June 1935) – wife of Viscount Pirrie and financial supporter of the Royal Victoria Hospital
Elisha Scott - football player
Robert Thompson - politician
Sam Thompson - playwright
William Whitla - physician and politician
