Town Halls and Public Buildings to visit Northern Ireland

Just outside the city walls of Derry is the Guildhall, a red brick building in the Gothic Revival style. Originally built in 1890, the building was rebuilt after a fire in 1908. It now houses the City Council Chamber and the offices of the Mayor of Derry. However, it is still worthwhile to enter the building, especially to have a look at the beautiful old stained glass windows, telling episodes of Derry's eventful history, and an exhibition on the Plantation in Ulster.

The City Hall is the city hall of Northern Ireland's capital city,and is certainly the most famous building in Belfast. It is amagnificent Edwardian building, completed in 1906, was erected to establish the grandeur of the city, with a 53m dome. The Renaissance-inspired building of white Portland stone has figures above the door celebrating the city's commerce and arts. The entrance hall is paved with marble and the dome inside is painted in the style of St Paul's Cathedral in London.

This imposing six-story sandstone building was built in sections between 1899 and 1902. It faces the City Hall and is almost as imposing as it is, with its domes, Corinthian half-pillar façade, pediments, sculptures, sphinxes and bronze dolphins... It was once a place to manage Scottish funds, which were invested in Belfast at the time in commerce and industry. Today, the building houses offices.