St Anne’s Cathedral, also called Belfast Cathedral, is the church that gives the Cathedral Quarter its name, and it is one of the most unusual cathedrals in these islands because of the way it was built. A plan for a cathedral for the city was launched in 1895 with Thomas Drew and W.H. Lynn as architects, the foundation stone was laid in 1899 and the first part was consecrated in 1904, but construction ran on for about eighty years, delayed by the Troubles and inflation. It was only completed with the Spire of Hope in 2007, a lightweight stainless-steel spire that was chosen after a design competition and that is lit up at night. A traditional tower would have been too heavy for Belfast’s soft clay ground, so the cathedral has none, and long wooden piles support the nave. Inside, look for the Baptistry, whose mosaic roof is made from about 150,000 pieces of glass, and for the Titanic Pall, a deep indigo cloth of Merino felt backed with Irish linen, made by textile artists Helen O’Hare and Wilma Fitzpatrick and dedicated on the hundredth anniversary of the sinking. The cathedral also holds the only tomb in the building, that of the unionist leader Edward Carson, who received a British state funeral here in 1935. A Coventry Cross of Nails and the Regimental Chapel add quieter notes. It is a compact visit, easily done in under an hour.
How to visit
The cathedral stands on Donegall Street in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, about a minute from the lanes of pubs and restaurants and a short walk from City Hall. Admission is charged for the self-guided tour, which includes a guide booklet, with a steward-guided or audio tour available at a higher price. Typical visiting hours are weekday daytimes, with a short Sunday afternoon window, and the cathedral is closed to tourists during services and events, so confirm the current times with the cathedral before you go.
What to expect
This is a working place of worship, so dress and behave respectfully, keep your voice low and check whether a service is in progress. The building feels lighter than most because of the Spire of Hope, which you can see from across the city centre. Look for the Good Samaritan Window, the only feature to survive from the earlier church on the site.
Making the most of it
Combine the cathedral with a wander through the Cathedral Quarter, with its street art, cobbled lanes and traditional pubs, and come back after dark to see the spire lit. If you are interested in the story of the Troubles, the Carson tomb and the Regimental Chapel give a quiet counterpoint to the murals on the black taxi tour. Photographers should look up at the spire and the baptistry ceiling, which reward a longer look.
Planning around it
Because opening hours depend on services and events, it is wise to confirm before walking over, especially at weekends. The cathedral fits neatly between a morning in the Cathedral Quarter and lunch nearby, and the Spire of Hope is easiest to appreciate from the street outside, where the stainless steel catches the light. If you are interested in the story of the city, stay long enough to read the information on the Carson tomb and the Titanic Pall, and take a moment in the quiet of the nave away from the traffic outside.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit around a working cathedral, with a guide booklet and optional steward-guided or audio tours.
Best time
A weekday daytime, avoiding service times, with a stroll round the Cathedral Quarter afterwards.
How long
Around forty-five minutes to an hour.
Tips
Confirm current opening times, dress respectfully, and look for the baptistry mosaic, the Titanic Pall and the Carson tomb.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History and architecture fans and anyone exploring the Cathedral Quarter.
- Families
- A short, quiet visit that works for older children interested in history, less so for energetic small ones.
- Couples
- A calm indoor stop in the middle of a Cathedral Quarter wander.
- Pair with
- The Cathedral Quarter’s pubs, St George’s Market and the black taxi tour.
- Time needed
- Under an hour.
Good questions
Why does St Anne’s Cathedral have no tower?+
Belfast’s ground is soft clay, so a heavy tower would have caused subsidence. The cathedral is supported on wooden piles, and the lightweight Spire of Hope was added in 2007.
When was St Anne’s Cathedral built?+
The foundation stone was laid in 1899 and the first part was consecrated in 1904, but building continued for about eighty years until the spire was completed in 2007.
What is the Titanic Pall?+
It is a deep indigo cloth of Merino felt backed with Irish linen, made to honour those who died on Titanic and dedicated on the hundredth anniversary of the sinking.
Who is buried in St Anne’s Cathedral?+
Edward Carson, the unionist leader, is buried here. He received a British state funeral in the cathedral in 1935.
Is there an admission charge for St Anne’s Cathedral?+
The self-guided tour is charged and includes a guide booklet, with guided options at a higher price. Check the cathedral for current prices and hours.
