Saint Anne's Cathedral is the centerpiece of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. Construction began in 1899 and that initial design was complete and consecrated in 1904. It has undergone a number of extensions and expansions throughout the ages. One of those improvements is the 40 meter tall stainless steel "Spire of Hope" that was installed in 2007. (Derivative of the spire in Dublin, hmmm?) The cathedral is quite active with services held pretty much every day. And if you're not familiar with the story of the Black Santa, it's pretty awesome how they have completely leaned in to it. [Review 1868 of 2024 - 852 in United Kingdom - 22890 overall] read more

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I loved the approach to St Anne / Belfast cathedral as the route we took went thru an area called Writer's Square and it was a nice reminder that Jonathan Swift had previously worked at the Belfast cathedral The outside is lovely, but unfortunately we couldn't go in as they charge £3 and we decide to miss seeing the grave of Calder as well as the maze near the pulpit (apparently following the white lines leads you to the altar while the black lines leave you go around in circles!) Note: #233 of Yelp 100 challenge for 2016 read more

Belfast Cathedral - Entrance - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I went here for the first time last Christmas Eve for the special Christmas service and it was just an incredible service in an incredible venue. It has recently been renovated with a new big spire...I'm not sure it really is a fit visually...how ever I'm not that into my spires so I'm not that concerned. This church also reaches out to the community which is nice to see. read more

Belfast Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I was pottering round the Cathedral Quarter yesterday and thought I would have a wee nosy into the Cathedral as the door was open, and having walked past my whole life, I'd never actually been in. I was greeted by the very friendly old man, obviously a volunteer, who was full of the chat. Shaking my hand he wanted to know where I was from and if there was anything I'd like to know about the Cathedral. He was lovely, and it was the prefect entrance to this beautiful building. During the day there was no service on, so it was calm and serene and I was able to walk around and check out the gorgeous stained glass and architecture with a feeling of peace. If you are in the area you should take a walk in, religious or not, as it is really worth a look. read more

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A friend of mine used the Cathedral as inspiration for her final work in university (she's a textile designer) and produced some really beautiful stuff (but then, I would say that!), which I think is testament to how beautiful this building is. It's grand and imposing and very beautiful inside. I used to work round the corner until recently and all summer long there were truckloads of tourists arriving to have a peek. Granted, there's not a whole lot to do when you're inside, but for those of us who can appreciate a beautiful building, it's a winner. Other reviewers have mentioned the Black Santa, but it's worth repeating. Every year, the Deacons stand outside (rain, hail or shine) and collect money. The causes vary from local to international ones, but I remember they raised over £1million when they chose to fund raise for the victims of the Tsunami. Recently, they also held a one-off collection for Haiti. I always make a point of going round in December and January to do my part. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to bring the poor guys a cuppa - do you know how cold it gets in this country?! My only problem with the Cathedral is that stupid stiletto they've super-glued on top of it. I don't know what it's supposed to be or represent, but in my opinion it looks totally out of place and has cost them a whole star on Yelp... read more

Belfast Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I'm a sucker for huge old churches / cathedrals and the like, and St. Anne's does not disappoint. Spectacular enough from the outside, the inside is breath-takingly beautiful and wonderfully serene. It had been years since I was last in St. Anne's, so yesterday's trip was a welcome one. The cathedral is open daily from 10-4pm, and the entrance is free, though a recommended donation of £2 for the funding of St. Anne's is gratefully received. The sheer beauty of the interior of the cathedral really is very overwhelming. I was completely awe-struck by the 'Spire of Hope', which was added to St Anne's only three years ago. Standing at 175 feet tall, this needle-like sculpture has been inserted into the highest point of the cathedral roof, and can be seen right across the city, symbolising the hope of God. The bottom of the spire is actually visible inside the cathedral, supported by a glass platform. We were lucky enough to have the sun shining, reflecting light from the spire to produce a beautiful glow. Spectacular. Visitors are invited to take themselves on a tour of St Anne's, with different points numbered on the route round the cathedral. The baptistry, sanctuary, chapel of unity, chapel of the Holy Spirit and Regimental chapel all feature in St Anne's, and there is plenty of information provided for visitors. Even if church isn't your thing, St Anne's really is a remarkable place to see. Truly heavenly. read more

Belfast Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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St Annes Cathedral is really beautiful and really is one of Belfast's landmarks. The building is really impressive and well designed and inside hosts a beautiful display of mosaic ceilings and religious artifacts. The giant spire was a new addition and can be seen from miles and when inside the building you can see where it enters the cathedral above the alter, you've got to admire the craftsmanship and skill in getting this thing in here! Entry is free but they recommend a donation of £2, which is fair enough. I wont bore you with the history, after all that's what you'll discover for yourself when you visit! A trip to Belfast wouldn't be complete without popping into the Cathedral! Truly great! read more

Belfast Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Visually beautiful building and a Belfast landmark. Famous for the tradition of the Black Santa, its beautiful architecture and its Spire of Hope. St Anne's Cathedral which is often referred to as Belfast Cathedral is definitely worth a visit. read more

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Beautiful Cathedral in Belfast, has got new glass front doors since I was there last-looks very modern along with the pointed spire. A good mix of old and new. Inside was peaceful and quiet-they do tours also. They do charge if you want to go closer to the front. read more

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St Anne's Cathedral is a stunning old church based on Donegal Street in Belfast City Centre. It was built in 1774 by Francis Hiorne who was assisted by a Belfast architect named Roger Mulholland. It has survived throughout the centuries to become the beautiful building it is today. In 2004 the decision was made to add a new modern addition to the cathedral. The local business 'Laganside Corporation' sponsored a competition for architects throughout Ireland to design this and the winner was a man named Niall Gault, who works for the Newtownabbey based company Box Architects Ltd. The new design was to be called 'The spire of hope' and would rise some 40 metres in height above the top of the cathedral. It is illuminated at night and depicts the move toward peace in Northern Ireland. The church believes it will be a witness to God's love for the city and the wider community it serves. The aim is that 'The Spire of Hope' will remind people of God's concern for them and the Cathedral's witness and mission of service in that community. I think it looks rubbish. We should stick to the old, traditional, skilled manner of architecture... But the message the spire sends is inspiring. Every Christmas the Dean disguises as the "Black Santa" a tradition for Belfast Cathedral which was started by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976. The church has an annual 'Pennies from Heaven' appeal for the Sit out which involved collecting coins in bottles. thousands of pounds have been raised for the Sit out in this way. Donations may be made at any time of the year, by sending a cheque made payable to "Cathedral Sit out" to the Dean, at Belfast Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2HB read more

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I'm not a particularly religious person or particularly interested in spending long hours trawling churches but my recent first visit to this striking landmark was quite an eye-opener. Passing with a few out of town visitors and getting the "What's that?" question I realised I knew nothing about this huge structure right on my doorstep. We duly filed in and spent close to 30 minutes exploring the interior with some of us even pausing to light a few candles. Shamefully i'm still no wiser as to the history of this splendid building but I do recall someone told me that the huge cross on the exterior is allegedly the tallest Celtic cross in Ireland. If you have a few spare minutes and your passing do check it out. Pros: Free, donations are appreciated. Cons: Only open weekdays to general public. read more

Belfast Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Spire of Hope, St Anne's Cathedral Despite some of my lesser starred reviews, I don't actually like to be too negative about some of the wonders around this wee city of ours. It has its faults, yes, but there's so much good stuff going on, and, on a community basis especially, so many good people working their bums off to make this place a better place to be. But what the blazing hell is the Spire of Hope meant to be? Stuck on the back of the gorgeous St Anne's Cathedral, like a shiny phallic symbol stretching hopefully up to the skies, this might have been built with good intentions (like most phallic symbols. Boom boom!) but I'm sorry, it looks like, well, a shiny phallic symbol stretching hopefully up to the skies. It was built (erected?) in 2007 as a symbol of hope for the city, and cost £850,000 to design and put up. Saying you don't like a hope symbol seems akin to saying you don't like hope, or want peace, or any of the other things the sculpture is meant to represent, but let's face it, it would be a sign of truly 'moving on' if we had general art and sculptures, and plays, and films, and just about everything else, rather than based around hope, or peace, or the conflict. £850,000 would have bought an awful lot of art and ideas from young artists just getting themselves established. Two points for the sentiment. read more

Probably one of the most breathtaking and beautiful places of worship in Belfast, or perhaps in all of Northern Ireland, St. Anne's Cathedral is of course a place for prayer and reflection, but is also a place of celebration, hosting concerts and musical events, as well as religious ones. It's seen as a bit of a tourist attraction also, for it's architecture and beauty. It has a memorial to those lost in World War One and Two, as well as more recently being given the added aspect of a modern pinnacle, uplit in the evenings, which is known as the 'spike of peace' - strange name if you ask me, but it is unusual and pretty. The acoustics in here for a concert are fantastic, and I participated in a school concert here with my pupils, and it is really something else. Worth a look if you are passing by - I bet many residents of Belfast have never even set foot inside. Shame on you. read more

Belfast Cathedral - courtesy of website - Churches Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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St Anne's Cathedral is an amazing building which has given the cathedral quarter its name. It stands tall and proud in the centre of the city and with the new addition of the tall needle thing on its spire, it reaches even further into the sky. The inside it a little bit more traditional that the metallic metal spire. It is an enjoyable place to go even if you are not particularly religious. It is calm and serene, which is a rare attribute to be found in the centre of any city. It is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays if you ever just fancy a little look around. read more

One of the few aspects I can admire about organized religion is the architecture and art that it delivers. St Anne's is one of the grandest buildings in Belfast and in fact the country. Huge towering stone, medieval castle sized iron clad doors lead into the huge warehouse sized interior. I called in a few months ago while on my lunch working in the paper and it's fantastic to think there is somewhere as fantastically awe inspiring at this just around the corner from where you live. It's open from ten till four and is free in but they do accept donations. read more

I'm not a great one for organised religion but those Christians have got some pretty attractive worship places. I've always admired great cathedrals like the one in Barcelona so I had a little peepsie inside the Belfast version down in the cathedral Quarter (naturally enough) not expecting much but being pleasantly surprised. If I had come on my own and not shared the experience with lots of others during the Belfast Night of Culture I think I would have been more satisfied. There was something majestic about the place, a serenity that touched me deep inside only for some brattish teenage devils to walk in and spoil the quietness around where I was seated. I'm not sure what deep thoughts I was having but I couldn't turn the other cheek and cast them some mildly dirty looks which went unheeded. Guess I am not cut out for this Christian forgiveness thingy. While leaving I had a wee jukey around and was impressed by the historical legacy of the building but another day another time perhaps and hopefully. Saw the big spire and was impressed though might need to view it in daylight to review it properly. read more