botanic gardens palm house

Some splendid flower shows were held, including the Great International Fruit and Flower Show of August 1874, but many of the events had little or no connection with horticulture or botanical education. Band concerts, military tournaments, firework displays, dog shows, fancy dress parades, torch-light processions, fun fairs, performing Zulus, Punch and Judy shows, balloon ascents, gymnastic performances and dances all took place.

The Palm House, designed by Charles Lanyon, is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear glass and cast iron glasshouse. The foundation stone was laid in1839 and the two wings completed the following year, at a cost of IR1,400. The 49 foot high elliptical dome was not added until 1852. As originally planned the west wing is used as a temperate house, the east wing as a stove section, whilst the central dome allows the taller plants to be accommodated.

The construction of the Tropical Ravine House was undertaken by the then curator of the garden, Charles M'Kimm, and completed in 1889. Belfast Corporation spent over IR1,000 between 1900 and 1902 on reconstruction and extension work that included a heated lily pond. Divided into a temperate and stove sunken ravine with a railed balcony extending around the perimeter from which the visitor can view the plant collection.

Major restoration work on both these historical buildings commenced in the late 1970's and was completed in 1983.

The Belfast Botanic Gardens is situated in the south of the City between Queen's University and the River Lagan.