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Gasworks
This industrial and economic zone is a living relic from bygone days when Belfast was a mere town with big ambitions. This pedestrian entrance illustrates several artistic work pieces which are part of the Laganside Art Trail. They call to mind various historic and environmental links with this area.
The blue ceramic tiles and carved brick piers showing figures of animals were completed by Eleanor Wheeler in 1997. The gas work railings were the work of Susan Crowther.
The main treasure though is this long red brick range building in Queen Anne style. Parts of it are rented out to private businesses. In the center is the domed Middle Section Meter House, designed in 1887 not as popularly supposed by a manager of the works but by Watt, a leading local architect. Inside is supposedly a very fine oak stairway and tiled entrance hall near the north end which is reputedly one of Ulster’s most sumptuous late Victorian interiors. The building is currently derelict but does contain some original machinery and hardware.
Walking in towards the southern entrance are more art pieces. On the ground is this bronze disc by Mike Hogg from 1998. It depicts images of this area including the now culverted Blackstaff River where coal was unloaded from barges at Cromac Dock. Next to this is an Indian styled sculpture by David Dudgeon from 1999.
As it goes John and George Barlow from Leicester came to an agreement with the Belfast Corporation Police Committee in 1821 to provide this rapidly developing town with gas and therefore replace all the oil lamps with gaslight. Work eventually commenced in 1822 on land owned by the Marquis of Donegal. Incidentally, the Marquis laid the foundation stone on the 15th April 1822 and the first functioning gaslight came to life on Saturday 30th August in front of hundreds of well wishers and curious folk.
On the Ormeau Road side of the Retort House and Meter House are a series of Renaissance style terracotta frieze and sandstone carved Belfast arms in the pediment. At the northern end is the round clock tower somewhat changed from the original: a copper spire replaces the slated roof and wrought iron railings replaced the pierced stone balustrade.
This leads into the main entrance where there are two large stone columns completed in 1995 by Claire Sampson. The yellow designs on the ground depict the flax flower, the main constituent that led to Belfast becoming a leading producer of flax. There are two columns and each display icons and images of Belfast during its industrial revolution.
Belfast Corporation took over the distribution of gaslight in 1874 at cost of £432,083.
A final anecdote of the history of this place is recalled by those people who once worked here. When walking the street manual workers such as plumbers, lamplighters and meter men acted as an unofficial alarm calls for those who had to be at the Shipyards early since their punctuality and no doubt noise would inevitably wake up everyone else.
This last exhibition on the other side of the railway bridge depicts a large bottle top. It was executed by Mike Hogg.
The gasworks as we knew it, was formally closed on 30th November 1988 due to high coasts of coal and reduction in demand. Fortunately, it has now become a symbol for economic rebirth. Belfast City Council played a key role is this development, along with Laganside Corporation and EU funding to tune of £6.75 million.
The new site was opened in May 2001 with high profile companies opening here such as the Halifax Internet Bank, the Radisson SAS Hotel. It also consists of a small to medium size enterprise park and social housing for the Chinese community.
References
Paul Larmour, Belfast. An illustrated architectural guide, Belfast 1987, pp52-53.
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