Parliament Buildings

Parliament Buildings stands in the Stormont Estate on the eastern edge of Belfast. Designed by Arnold Thornely and built in ashlar stone by Stewart & Partners, it opened in 1932. The neoclassical building houses the Northern Ireland Assembly and is Grade A listed. Stormont Castle nearby serves as the executive headquarters. The estate also contains Stormont House, once the Speaker’s residence. The building’s history reflects Northern Ireland’s political development. Plans originally included a domed complex for all three branches of government, but costs led to a simpler design. A gold chandelier from Windsor Castle hangs in the Great Hall, and a large painting once adorned the House of Commons. During the Second World War, the stonework was painted with bitumen and cow manure to camouflage it, leaving lasting marks. Inside, the Assembly Chamber has a horseshoe seating arrangement, rebuilt after a 1995 fire. The Senate chamber retains its original red leather benches and Irish damask linen walls. Statues of Lord Carson and Lord Craigavon stand on the approach and in the Great Hall. The grounds have hosted major public events, including the funeral of footballer George Best in 2005.