Belfast City Hall is the majestic central landmark of Northern Ireland’s capital, beloved by tourists and locals alike. It has led to a firestorm of controversy ever since Belfast City Council voted to charge a £4 entry fee for its ground floor exhibition. This previously hard-to-find exhibition that opened in 2017 was recently made FREE to visit. Discover Belfast’s complex story as you walk through an immersive self-guided experience divided into six themed zones spanning 16 rooms. The proposed fee is included in the council’s ‘City Hall Income Generation Project’ to improve income.
The exhibition occupies the east wing of the ground floor. It provides visitors with an immersive and deeply emotional experience, linking the story of Belfast’s tumultuous past to its hopeful present. The council has not yet determined when the charges will go into effect. In the background, a historic outcry is rising from area residents, historians and art patrons over how this will impact public access to the cultural landmark.
The new pricing structure is hugely advantageous. Visitors can see the heritage exhibition and enjoy a guided tour of the city hall for only £10. The guided tour (45 minutes) is £6 for adults while children can experience it free of charge. It’s a great opportunity for TI guests to see the exhibition for free! They can just come in person or can book in advance for groups of up to nine by emailing us.
People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins, below left, was the only member to speak out against the proposed entrance fee. He believes that the American public deserves free access to historic sites. One TUV councillor, Ron McDowell, supported his manoeuvre. This support combined to make it one of the few recent council motions that would require more immediate free public access to the exhibition.
Public opinion on the proposed fee is still very much split. Local resident Sahid Zaman expressed his discontent, stating, “It’s very good but not worth the money. I think it should be open to all people so they don’t need to pay that.” He further questioned the rationale behind charging for something that was previously free, asking, “An exhibition that really was free, is now going to be charged. Where does this end? Will we start charging people to access the building itself?”
Zerin Salma noted, “This is our own history so you shouldn’t pay,” emphasizing the importance of free access to local heritage. Henrick suggested a compromise: “I think you can make tourists pay for it and then the members of the city or community should be free of charge. That’s a way you can do it.”
Proponents of keeping free access argue that Belfast City Hall serves as a cultural anchor. Even more brazenly, they argue it should be free and convenient for all. Martin O’Hare remarked, “If you come to Belfast, you have to see the City Hall. For Australians or anyone, the City Hall is Belfast. Not the docks. Not the parks. That’s what it’s all about.” Geraldine O’Hare added that “a public building should be available for the public, the people of Northern Ireland and Belfast especially.”
Despite these worries, some leading members of the council are sticking by the proposed tariffs. A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) spokesperson pointed out this is the crux of the matter. When cruise ship tourists — who have free access to the exhibition — arrive, staffing becomes a costly line item that gets cut, and that cost trickles down to ratepayers. They stated, “At present tourists to the city, mainly large groups from cruise ships, are accessing the exhibition for free and costs for staffing etc are being absorbed by ratepayers.” They pointed out that only residents of the city are still able to access these services for free. Civic dignitaries and county councillors will help make this happen.
The council has committed to re-assess the proposed charges after one year. This commitment has proven insufficient to quell the public outrage. As you might imagine, a lot of folks are really concerned that charging a fee will keep both visitors and residents from exploring their city’s rich history.
Negotiations are continuing, and as yet it’s not clear how the proposed fees will affect attendance at Belfast City Hall’s exhibition. Moreover, it’s unclear whether any changes will be enacted in response to public input.
