Northern Ireland’s only burial ground with a Jewish section is to have a visitor centre added to it that will tell the history of the multi-faith people buried there and the cemetery itself.
Belfast City Council, which runs Belfast City Cemetery in the west of the city, has successfully secured £1.7m (US$2.2m, €1.9m) worth of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) financing for the project and is now well on its way to its £2.3m (US$2.9m, €2.6m) target.
The council will use the money to create the visitor and education centre, restore historical monuments, enhance biodiversity at the site and create outreach events.
Other features are set to include a multimedia exhibition where visitors can learn more about the history and the people of the cemetery and burial records and archives for those keen to learn more about their ancestry.
"City Cemetery is a real hidden gem with a fantastic story to tell," said Alderman Jim Rodgers, chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.
"It's the final resting place of many noted figures from the city’s past, including Edward Harland, ‘Tobacco King’ Thomas Gallaher and Margaret Byers, pioneer of women’s education and founder of Victoria College.
"The many fascinating and unique features within its walls include the only Jewish burial ground of its kind in Ireland and an underground wall that, while never used for its intended purpose, was built to separate Catholic and Protestant graves.
"There are also a total of 11 listed features including the central steps and vaults, Victorian fountain and superintendent’s house. This project will ensure that all of these unique features are preserved for future generations and that the story of the cemetery is told."
Paul Mullan, head of HLF in Northern Ireland, added: "We often think of cemeteries as places for the dead but our parks and cemeteries provide vital connections to our history, our community and our natural heritage.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant will support vital restorations right across this extraordinary cemetery, saving monuments at risk, and maximising its potential as a green space."
