Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall has been the pulse of Belfast’s live entertainment scene for over 150 years.
First opened in 1862, the 'Grand Dame of Bedford Street,' as she is affectionately known, is one of the oldest purpose-built concert halls in the UK and Ireland. This grand Victorian building has survived two World Wars and welcomed names as famous and diverse as Charles Dickens and Snow Patrol.
During the Second World War the Ulster Hall became hugely popular as a dance hall and was a big hit with American troops stationed on these shores. On Easter Tuesday 15th April 1941, around 200 tonnes of explosives fell on the city of Belfast which is now known as the Belfast Blitz. Over 900 people lost their lives and thousands lost their homes. Through all the chaos, Irish folk artist, Delia Murphy, continued her heroic performance in the Ulster Hall!
Throughout the Forties and Fifties, the Ulster Hall became Northern Ireland’s premier boxing venue. Many home-grown champions lit up our boxing ring, while international boxing legends like World Heavyweight Champion, Sonny Liston, traded blows with our local stars. Today, the flame has been relit and today the Ulster Hall plays host to internationally broadcast boxing fights with the venue being noted as unrivalled and atmospheric among boxing fans.
Since the Sixties, the Ulster Hall has been Northern Ireland’s spiritual home of rock music, hosting an almost endless list of famous names that has included U2, Coldplay, Thin Lizzy, The Clash, The Rolling Stones, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, The Who, AC/DC and many more.
Led Zeppelin played their classic Stairway to Heaven for the first time ever at The Ulster Hall.
Today, the prestigious status of the Ulster Hall is not slowing down with the top artists in the world wanting to play the iconic venue. You can take your pick, as the Ulster Hall has something for everyone’s taste; whether it’s trying to get the hottest ticket in town to the Pixies, opting for ‘any seat but the front’ for funny man Frank Skinner or unwinding to the comforting sound of Ulster Orchestra, the Ulster Hall really has it all!
Ulster Hall Gallery
