Belfast Art Galleries

(Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK)

The greatest concentration of Northern Ireland's art galleries reside within Belfast, with a good selection of fine art awaiting visitors in the Ulster Museum at the Botanical Gardens. Also worth visiting is the Ormeau Baths Gallery (OBG) on Ormeau Avenue, which provides a highly regarded contemporary exhibition space and comprises a total of four adjoining galleries, being saved from closure in 2006 after considerable protesting by local art lovers.

Much of the commercial art scene present in Belfast today has been influenced by prominent art dealer Tom Caldwell (1921 to 2002), who opened his own gallery in the city in 1969, where local Irish artists are still actively encouraged to exhibit. Standing close to the Queen's University campus, the Bell Gallery is another venue worth looking out for, while in nearby Antrim, you may also like to pay a visit to the Clotworthy Arts Centre at the Antrim Castle Gardens.

Ormeau Baths Gallery (OBG)

Address: 18a Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9032 1402
The Ormeau Baths Gallery was founded in 1995 and regularly feature many important exhibitions of contemporary paintings and sculptures. Those arriving by train will find that the Victoria Station is just a ten-minute stroll away, while Ormeau Park is also close by.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Bell Gallery

Address: 13 Adelaide Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9066 2998
Located next to the Chlorine Gardens, the Bell Gallery first opened in 1964 and has remained one of the most popular commercial art galleries in this area for many years, regularly hosting exhibitions and specialising in Irish art from the 18th century to present day.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 17:00, Friday - 10:00 to 15:00

Clotworthy Arts Centre

Address: Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9442 8000
Situated in the neighbouring town of Antrim, just under 32 km / 20 miles to the north-east of central Belfast and near to the Massereene Golf Club, the Clotworthy Arts Centre was originally built as a coach house in the 1840s. After considerable restoration, this building is now home to a popular arts centre, comprising a number of spacious art galleries and meeting rooms.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 21:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00

Collett Art Gallery

Address: 73 Dublin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9031 9589
Standing on Dublin Road and close to the popular Stiff Kitten nightspot, the Collett Art Gallery ranks amongst city's most successful commercial art galleries and exhibits many important paintings by Irish artists.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 17:30, Saturday - 11:00 to 17:00

Fenderesky Art Gallery

Address: Crescent Arts Centre, 2 - 4 University Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 2338
The Fenderesky Art Gallery is part of the city's acclaimed Crescent Arts Centre and continuously exhibits contemporary Irish paintings and sculptures throughout the year.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 11:30 to 17:00

Tom Caldwell Gallery

Address: 429 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 9066 1890
Founded in the late 1960s, the Tom Caldwell Gallery is one of the city's oldest and specialises in works of art by living local artists, as well as various trendy furnishings. Expect to find seasonal exhibitions with many reasonably priced canvasses for sale.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:30