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Key facts

Did you know...?

Bono from U2

Here are some facts about Belfast Waterfront:

  • the building opened to the public on 17 January 1997 after 15 years of planning and consultation and three years of building work
  • it was officially opened in May 1997 by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales
  • Belfast Waterfront cost £32 million to build
  • our Main Auditorium seats 2,223 people
  • our Studio seats 380 people
  • we offer 14 meeting rooms, two bars, one restaurant and one shop
  • we employ 50 permanent members of staff and more than 100 casual employees.
Ronan Keating

Over the past 12 years, Belfast Waterfront has:

  • staged more than 3,800 performances
  • hosted more than 2,400 conferences and meetings
  • sold more than 3.5 million tickets
  • welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors
  • contributed £575 million to the local economy
  • generated £10 to the local economy for every £1 spent on operational costs
  • attracted more than 100,000 overseas conference delegates
  • been voted number 1 in The Times 'Top Things To Do This Festive Season' for our 2006 Christmas pantomime.
Beverley Knight

Artists who have performed in the venue include:

  • Dolly Parton
  • Ronan Keating
  • James Brown
  • Van Morrison
  • Beverley Knight
  • Tom Jones
  • Shirley Bassey
  • Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
  • Lesley Garrett
  • Billy Connolly.
Billy Connolly

Other famous visitors include:

  • His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales
  • Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
  • former Prime Minister Tony Blair
  • former US President Bill Clinton
  • Cherie Booth QC
  • President Mary McAleese
  • Dalai Lama.