Custom House Square

It’s only fair that I review Custom House Square on St Patrick’s Day as this is the final destination for Belfast’s Parade and Concert. This is the sort of thing that Custom House Square is renowned for, in recent years it has been the site some of Belfast’s biggest concerts including Belsonic which comes around in August.
The Square itself has a load of history and used to be Belfast’s biggest market place, there is monuments on site to commemorate this rich history and I would highly recommend visiting the square even when there isn’t any concerts/​festivals on.
The Square is easily accessible and open to the public all year round. McHughes Irish bar is looking on to the square so if you fancy a pint after your brief tour this is your place.
Custom House Square is a definite 5 stars for me! It is a great open air concert venue, centrally located and is steeped in history, what’s not to like?

i dont really see why this place is here there is no need for it.

Customs House Square is a beautiful open space in the centre of the city. It’s often used as a venue for festivals (Belsonic, Open House, Chili Fest and OktoberFest have all set up home here), but it’s also a space that’s full of public art and a bit of history too.
Customs House itself is a beautiful building, but not one I’ve ever been into. The square tends to have a marquee in it a fair portion of the time, and attracts skaters the rest of the time!
A bit further out, you’ll see the water feature, which is kind of a dancing fountain idea, so beware when you’re walking near them that you don’t get soaked!

It’s hard to remember what Custom House Square used to look like (and indeed, I fail to recall the details myself), but it’s had such a dramatic makeover that nobody really cares. In 2005, this area (which is located just beside Laganside Bus Station) was completely transformed to include a series of little fountains, each spurting water in a range of sequences, an large open space which has been used for the likes of concerts such as Belsonic, and has incorporated the sculptures such as the Calder’s Fountain and Speaker’s Corner that Suzi notes in her review.
If you’re ever there during the day, you’ll spot a few skaters who use this area to their advantage, as well as a few tourists who are interested in the Albert Clock, the nearby Lagan Lookout or the Big Fish. It’s a pleasant area to just sit and watch the world go by, and there’s a few signs providing information about the Custom House and the various statues.
There are also a number of apartments for sale /​to let just beside the square which have been newly built, as well as a few slightly older sky risers. During the recent Belsonic festival, one landlord rented out a couple of apartments to those who were unable to buy a ticket for the concert, allowing them the best view in the house. Those lucky people…
Definitely a great little place of historic interest which is a mere 5 minute walk from the city centre. McHugh’s is just across from it, so you can always stop off for a drink /​meal while you’re visiting.

This thriving open space area is now home to a number of outdoor events; concerts and festivals in Belfast. The Laganside regeneration group spent over £4 million transforming this area into an open space which could be used in a number of ways.
The area is dominated by the impressive two-​storey Italianate Custom House Square which was built by Sir Charles Lanyon on reclaimed land which was originally used to manufacture salt and lime in the 1750s. The building was completed in in 1857. Its «Palazzo» style makes it the finest neoclassical building in Belfast.
The area features a number of sculptures such as; ‘The Speaker’ (by Belfast born sculptor Gareth Knowles) which is an homage to the squares historical past being ‘Speakers’ Corner’ where men would come and proclaim the cities news. Other men would stand around and listen and jeer at their speeches, in light of this the next installation is aptly known as The Hecklers’ which are lights based around the square and made out of copper. Custom House Square is also home to the oldest drinking fountain in Belfast which has been restored to its original location. The Square also features more scenic lighting and a water feature that follows the original course of the river Farset.
Custom House Square is a prime location in Belfast. In the surrounding area you can find a number of attractive bars like McHughs, landmarks like the Albert Clock as well as the nearby Merchant Hotel.