The heritage of Belfast’s birthplace, the Cathedral Quarter, is being celebrated next week with the launch of the first visitor guide to the area’s historic buildings and heritage signage.

Belfast City Council has joined forces with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society to commission a beautiful range of bronze interpretative panels for the area. Designed by local artist, Katherine Nixon, each one of the ten panels shows a symbol relating to the history of the building or street where the panel is located, with explanatory text below.

Councillor Tom Hartley, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Arts Sub-Committee said: ”Belfast people and visitors to the city will be equally fascinated by this guide to the Cathedral Quarter’s rich heritage. This area is increasingly becoming Belfast’s cultural hub and the guide and panels are a simple but effective way of highlighting what gives Cathedral Quarter its special character as the city rapidly develops.”

Rita Harkin, Research Officer with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society and author of the visitor guide, added: ”Given the amount of work the Society is doing in the Cathedral Quarter, we are delighted to have worked with the Council on these projects.

“This little guide and the bronze panels highlight its distinctive street pattern and buildings, which should be celebrated in any regeneration scheme.”

Free copies of the visitor guide will be available from the Belfast Welcome Centre and at various cultural venues and visitor attractions in the Cathedral Quarter from early December.

(MB)