Parliamentary boundary post

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A cast-iron administrative marker post of 1918 marking the outer extent of the administrative jurisdiction of Belfast Corporation (as Belfast City Council was then known), and of Victoria District Electoral Division within it.
Embedded in footpath along south-east side of Belmont Avenue, at a side entrance (now disused) to Campbell College. Behind it is a red brick wall and entrance gates to the school’s grounds.
Of slightly tapered cylindrical profile and measuring c.3ft high by 1ft diameter. Banded octagonal base and oversailing flat octagonal top with slightly smaller fluted circular cap. Front face bears the shield of Belfast Corporation’s coat of arms, below which is an attached plaque reading “Parliamentary/ and Municipal/ Boundary of/ Belfast/ Victoria Division/ Victoria Ward/ 1918”.

Historical information

A cast-iron administrative marker post of 1918 marking the outer extent of the administrative jurisdiction of Belfast Corporation (as Belfast City Council was then known), and of Victoria District Electoral Division within it.
Embedded in footpath along south-east side of Belmont Avenue, at a side entrance (now disused) to Campbell College. Behind it is a red brick wall and entrance gates to the school’s grounds.

Of slightly tapered cylindrical profile and measuring c.3ft high by 1ft diameter. Banded octagonal base and oversailing flat octagonal top with slightly smaller fluted circular cap. Front face bears the shield of Belfast Corporation’s coat of arms, below which is an attached plaque reading “Parliamentary/ and Municipal/ Boundary of/ Belfast/ Victoria Division/ Victoria Ward/ 1918”.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This boundary post exhibits a degree of decoration beyond that necessitated of its utilitarian function. Its cast-iron construction and secure embedding in the pavement reflect the need for durability and tamper-proofing. Its setting is also of significance insofar as it denotes an invisible political boundary at this particular spot. It also has group value with boundary posts elsewhere in this area (e.g. HB26/13/023 which is also on the same boundaries); this is probably the most complete group of administrative markers anywhere in the Province.
It is from the historical viewpoint that this post is of most interest. It is a tangible reminder of the first election in Britain and Ireland when nearly everyone (bar women under 30) had the right to vote, which took place on 14 December 1918. It is also of interest in marking a short-lived period in the province’s political development up to the formation of Northern Ireland and the Stormont administration in 1922. Many of these posts have succumbed to road widening and random removal, so this particular example is now a comparatively rare survivor.