Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Belfast Music Hall

Belfast Music Hall 640

The long-demolished Belfast Music Hall, on the corner of May Street and Montgomery Street, was the scene of a Robert Burns Centenary celebration on 26 January 1859. It was also the venue that year for inter-denominational prayer meetings every Wednesday from 1pm–2pm, organised by Rev james Morgan of Fisherwick Presbyterian Church and Rev Charles Seaver of St John's Parish Church. Businessmen like William Ewart and gentry like the Earl of Roden were known to have attended. 1859 was 'The Year of Grace' which saw religious revival sweep Ulster but also Scotland and parts of America.

The building was designed by architect Thomas Jackson, who also designed the Belfast Corn Exchange where the other Belfast Burns celebration took place that evening. There is a summary on FutureBelfast.com. This website gives further information on the musical heritage of the building, and some detail about Jackson:

Thomas Jackson (1807–90) designed the Old Museum in College Square North in partnership with Thomas Duff of Newry in 1830-31. Jackson eventually set up in business on his own and his work included the Music Hall, St Malachy’s Church, the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Company’s building (later owned by G. Heyn & Sons), and many Victorian mansions including Wilmont House, Graymount House and Craigavon House.

Belfast Music Hall site 640

The site today is a car park. The photographs below are from Archiseek.com and Geograph.ieNewImageNewImage

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