Dreams

‘Dreams’ consists of forty large metal panels in a grid formation, which is etched with portraits of a group of children. The centre of each section, formed in glass and back-lit, will glow at night holding the dreams of 9,000 local children. The project fuses together a strong sense of our ‘metal crafting’ heritage and the spirit of our children’s ability to dream. DSD NI

... and here is the news

I have no idea what she is reporting on. It is late afternoon, the law courts are closed and nothing appears to be happening. Perhaps that's it -

'Here is the news. Nothing happened today, nobody got mugged and Mrs Thompson of 256 Shankill Road didn't get run over by a bus. A suspicious bag was not spotted near the courthouse and the building was not evacuated.'

Nothing Happened.

What's This?

... well your guess is as good as mine. Is it art masquerading as a lamp post or a lamp post masquerading as art .... or just a huge lump of useless tin? I know where my money goes.

Laganside Courts

Recently I posted a pic of this new landscaping development at Laganside Courts Complex - well here we have the updated version and, as you can see, it is starting to shape up nicely. On the left is the old Belfast Courthouse with the modern Bar Library behind (looking not a bit unlike the new Opera House extension). To the right is the new Law Court and behind it you can see the new Victoria Centre (with the odd shaped roof). The (martian!) dome is hidden at this angle. In the middle distance you can just make out two women with suitcases - not (I believe) tourists but a couple of legal eagles who find it easier to transport all their paperwork in wheeled cases instead of arm-breaking briefcases. Ironic really when you consider how the term briefcase came about.

... oh and the public house hidden by the Bar Library was previously called Rumpole's (as in 'Rumpole of the Bailey') and is now called The Advocate in keeping with the legal connotations.

Belfast Law Courts

At the bottom of Chichester Street you will find Laganside Courts Complex, previously known as Belfast Law Courts or just simply The Law Courts.

Chichester Street once ran from the City Hall to Oxford Street but at the height of the bombing campaign, as a security precaution, it was decided to block off both ends of the lower part of Chichester Street where the Law Courts are housed. This complex came to resemble Fort Apache with its high fence and gates.

For some time now work has been going on to remove the gates and security fencing and as you can see a picturesque public garden is beginning to take shape.

Laganside Courts Complex with the Waterfront Hall and Belfast Hilton in the background.