15 Incredible Then-and-Now Photos Show Street Scenes of Belfast in the Past

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom and the second-largest on the island of Ireland.

By the early 19th century, Belfast became a major port. Shipbuilding was a key industry; the Harland and Wolff shipyard, which built the RMS Titanic, was the world’s biggest shipyard.

Belfast is still a port with commercial and industrial docks, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard, dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline. It is a Gamma global city in 2018.

These incredible then-and-now photos from Public Record Office of Northern Ireland that give you a step into the past of Belfast.

Cromac Square/Cromac Place, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 11th February 1915)

Bank Street, leading to Chappel Lane, Belfast, with Kelly's Wine & Spirit Store in the foreground (now Kelly's Cellars) and St Mary's Church in the background (19th April 1915 & 22nd April 2015)

Bedford Street, Belfast, showing the Ulster Hall (circa 1890s & April 2019)

Belfast City Hall (1914 & 17th December 2014)

Belfast City Hall seen from Donegal Place (circa 1890s & April 2015)

Carlisle Circus, Belfast (12th December 2014 & circa 1890s)

Castle Place, Belfast showing the Bank Buildings (12th December 2014 & circa 1890s)

Corner of Library Street and Royal Avenue, Belfast (circa 1930s & April 2015)

Donegal Place, Belfast (April 2015 & 1888)

Entrance to Botanic Gardens, Belfast (circa 1890s & April 2019)

Junction of Antrim Road and Cavehill Road, Belfast (17th December 2014 & 27th April 1915)

Junction of May Street and Market Street, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 11th February 1915)

Linenhall Library, Belfast (12th December 2014 & 1902)

Queen's Bridge, Belfast (17th December 2014 & 1888)

Queen's University, Belfast (April 2019 & 1888)

Queue of people boarding a tram outside the Shankill Road Mission (circa 1910 & 12th December 2014)