The lamp posts stand outside the historic Ulster Hall on Bedford Street. In the twentieth century, lamp posts like these were installed outside the official residences of Belfast’s Lord Mayors wherever they lived. But as time went on, the tradition fell out of favour due to the annual rotation of the Lord Mayor among other factors.
By the late 1990s, the surviving posts were relocated to civic locations, with this pair finding a permanent home outside the Ulster Hall.
Actor portraying Belfast’s first Lord Mayor, Sir Daniel Dixon, Chris McCracken (Managing Director, Linen Quarter BID), Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, and Rob McConnell (Chief Executive, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall & Ulster Hall) at the unveiling of the restored Ulster Hall lamp posts.
Investment from Linen Quarter Business In Development (BID) was responsible for the restoration, which was unveiled by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly. She ceremonially illuminated the lights alongside an actor portraying Belfast’s first Lord Mayor, Sir Daniel Dixon, who held the post an extraordinary seven times between 1892 and 1906 – a record in the city’s history.
The Lord Mayor said: “It was fantastic to be part of this celebration at the Ulster Hall. Nights like this remind us how important it is to preserve our history and make it accessible, so everyone can enjoy and connect with Belfast’s story.”
The ornate lamp posts have seahorses, long associated with Belfast, wrapped around the base, while four modelled putti (cherubic male figures) above celebrate the city’s trades: one with a book for arts and learning, one with mason’s tools for construction, one holding a ship for shipbuilding, and one – facing Ulster Hall – with a spinning wheel to represent Linen.
The Ulster Hall lamp posts illuminated at night following their restoration, showcasing the renewed lanterns and LED lighting.
The lanterns carry the historic Belfast Corporation crest, and there is evidence that parts of the posts were once gilded to catch the light.
However, corrosion, flaking paint, and outdated electrics meant the lamps had fallen into disrepair. Specialist contractors carried out the full restoration.
The newly restored Victorian-era lamp posts outside Ulster Hall, featuring seahorse motifs, gilded highlights, and the historic Belfast Corporation crest.
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The works included careful rust removal, complete repainting in traditional black with gilded highlights, renewal of the lantern tops, and full rewiring with new LED fittings to ensure the lights are both beautiful and energy efficient.
By preserving these ornate lamp posts, LQ BID is not only ensuring that a unique piece of Belfast’s civic story continues to illuminate the city for decades to come, but is also laying the groundwork for a larger 2026 project, in partnership with Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities, when the façade of the Ulster Hall will be repainted and enhanced with new LED lighting.
Chris McCracken, Managing Director of Linen Quarter BID, said: “This project is part of our wider mission to invest in placemaking and heritage-led regeneration, protecting and celebrating the character of the Linen Quarter while improving public spaces.”