Belfast Then and Now: Historical Bus Tour Context

See how Belfast has changed. Historical photos of Donegall Square and Castle Street compared to the modern bus tour views.

9/1/2025

6 min read

Belfast is a city of rapid regeneration. The scars of the past are healing, replaced by glass waterfronts and buzzing plazas.

Donegall Square

Then (1960): As seen in our cover photo, it was a hub of trolleybuses and vintage cars. The architecture was soot-stained from industry.
Now: The square is pedestrian-friendly, the stone of City Hall is cleaned to a gleaming white, and the buses are modern bright red tourers.

Castle Street

Castle Street 1970s

Then: A busy shopping street, often disrupted by security checkpoints during the Troubles.
Now: A thriving retail district. Security gates are long gone, replaced by open access and street performers.

The Waterfront

The biggest change is the Lagan river. Once the dirty industrial backyard of the shipyard, it is now the "Maritime Mile," home to the Odyssey Arena, Titanic Belfast, and luxury apartments. The bus tour drives right through this miracle of urban planning.

À propos de l’auteur

Historian

Ce guide est écrit par des habitants qui aiment Belfast. Nous voulons vous aider à regarder au-delà des gros titres et à voir la ville dynamique, historique et accueillante que Belfast est aujourd'hui.