Band Stand

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An octagonal cast-iron bandstand with concrete pavilion and machine-cut red-brick base, constructed c.1900 and located close to the south entrance of Ormeau Park at Ormeau Road. Decorative cast-iron columns and brackets support a timber roof structure and octagonal metal sheet roof with lantern and finial. Decorative mild steel railings and decorative cast-iron squinches on a slightly overhanging concrete base. In good condition, the bandstand has recently been sympathetically restored.

Historical information

The ‘Band Stand’ dates from c1900 and is first shown, captioned, on the third edition OS map of 1902. The bandstand was initially situated towards the north of the park, but sometime in the mid-twentieth century was moved to its present position near the Ormeau Road end.

In 1869 the demesne of the former Ormeau House, residence of local proprietors the Donegalls, was acquired by Belfast Corporation and the remains of the mansion demolished. The demesne opened to the public as a ‘People’s Park’ on Saturday 15th April 1871 under the terms of the Public Parks Act of 1869. This provided for towns over a certain size to raise funds in order to establish public parks for the benefit of the working classes, the nearby Botanic Garden being accessible at that time only to those who paid a fee, or whose fee was paid on their behalf by their employers. (Scott; Belfast Newsletter)

The band of any regiment stationed in Belfast was appointed to play on Saturdays in Ormeau Park, and by 1880 local and military bands were playing regularly in the park, although it is likely that any bandstand they made use of was a temporary wooden structure. In 1899 the Belfast Corporation Act permitted the Corporation to contribute up to £250 p.a. towards the provision and maintenance of a band for giving performances in parks. Five bands were selected to play in the city’s five parks, Ballymacarrett Brass and Reed, Sirocco Lodge Brass, Willowfield Brass, Belfast City Brass and Belfast Temperance Brass. Performances began in June 1900 and the week’s programme was advertised each Monday in the Belfast Evening Telegraph. (Scott) Field survey of the bandstand indicates that a date of c1900 is consistent with its style and construction.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/4/1 – First Edition OS Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/3/4/2 – Second Edition OS map 1858
3. PRONI OS/6/3/4/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1902
4. PRONI OS/6/3/4/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1920-1
5. PRONI OS/6/3/4/5 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1931
6. Belfast Newsletter, 17th April, 1871

Secondary Sources

1. Scott, R “A Breath of Fresh Air, The Story of Belfast’s Parks” Belfast: Blackstaff Press, 2000

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity
R. Age

Evaluation

An octagonal bandstand of cast-iron with concrete and modern red-brick base, constructed c.1900 and located close to the south entrance of Ormeau Park at Ormeau Road, a typical Victorian feature of a public park. The bandstand has recently been sympathetically restored, however modern railings and metal sheet roof covering detracts slightly from the original architectural styling. Of significant social interest, it is an important local landmark and although not in its original position, continues to make a significant contribution to its environs and the architectural character of the park. It has group value with the original gates and railings at Ormeau road entrance (HB26/03/001B).

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered it was previously recorded as HB26/03/001