The material which forms this 17-acre island was removed during the steam powered dredging process finalised at the formation of a low water channel going from Dunbar's Dock to the River Lagan (1841). This was planned to allow large sailing ships to access the port, which before was difficult because of the shallow and sinuous nature of the River Lagan.
The norther part of Queen's Island was dedicated to leisure and resort, and it was also known as the "People's Park". Equestrian performances, concerts, and finally as the most important event, the "Victoria Fete", were all held there. The construction of an elegant glass-iron-wood Palace (1851), an aquarium (1856) and the first zoo in Belfast (1859) gave to the island a big popularity as resort. In 1864, a fire broke out and destroyed the Palace.
The South and East parts of Queen's Island were instead maritime industrial areas. With the completion in 1849 of the Victoria Channel, a deep water cut in the Belfast harbor that allowed larger ships access to the port, trade from and to Belfast also increased drastically.
The first iron shipbuilding yard was opened in 1853 by Robert Hickson who employed the designer Edward Harland as general manager. In 1858, Harland bought the business from Hickson for £5.000 and three years later he went in partnership with his personal assistant, Gustav Wolff, forming the Harland and Wolff.
In the years later, site reclamation was performed with the construction of new shipbuilding facilities and the completion in 1867 of the Hamilton Graving Dock. The Harland and Wolff used the new facilities to launch many of the ships they built for the White Star Line.
Nowadays, Queen's Island is a residential and business area, and again a leisure centre with its Odyssey Complex (arena, cinema, bowling, restaurant, bar, etc.)
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| Queen's Island (photo taken from the descriptive board). |
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| Queen's Island, Belfast 2015 |
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| Queen's Island, Belfast 2015 |
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