Chichester Street is part a of the old Linen Quarter, a stones throw away from Royal Avenue the main shopping street. It stretches from the eastern side of Belfast City Hall at Donegall Square East all the way down to the grand Royal Courts of Justice on Victoria Street.
The Street is named after Sir Arthur Chichester, a pivotal figure in Belfast's history. A solider and veteran of the Spanish Armada, Chichester became the Crown’s leading official in Ireland in the early seventeenth century.
He viewed Irish Catholicism as a direct threat to English rule and was a leading architect of the Plantation of Ulster following the 1607 Flight of the Earls.
His influence profoundly shaped Belfast.
In 1611, he constructed a new Belfast Castle on the site of an earlier Norman fortification at Castle Place, spurring the town's development.
The significant growth under his tenure was recognised in 1613, when Belfast was granted its Royal Charter, transforming it from a small settlement into a recognized, planned town.
The general area today is a popular meetup spot for people of all ages, featuring a variety of shops and trendy cafés for coffee and snacks.
Its central location within Translink's transport hub provides easy access to all major shopping districts.
Did You Know ?
On the 19th December 2004 one of the largest bank robberies in the history of the UK & Ireland happened here?
£26.5 million in cash was taken from the then Northern Bank - Now Danske bank on the corner of Donegall Square West, adjacent to Bedford Street.
The robbers had stolen that much money, it was cheaper for the bank to change the design of the bank notes quickly putting pressure on the thieves to get rid of the money fast.
No one to this day has been convicted of the robbery - You can read more about it here.
Keep your eyes peeled for our street team staff, they are easy to identify in their red jackets.
They can help you with any questions, and offer the best advice about things to do in Belfast.
*If wish to learn more about the city you can book your Belfast hop on hop off tour below, and discover over 19 iconic locations on our Belfast tour bus each with their own stories to tell.
*How to get to Donegall Square West?
- Walking? Open Google Maps
- Befast Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
- Travelling via Public Transport?
- Taxi's Uber -- Fona Cab
The Belfast Hop-on Hop-off bus tour starts at 10:00 AM every day.
- Stop 1 - Outside Centra
- Starbucks - Coffee - Buns :-)
- Hell Cat Maggies - Food - Drinks
- History Bank Heist
- Easy Hotel - 3 Minute Walk
- The Flint - 3 Minute Walk
- Grand Central - 4 Minute Walk
- Student Roost - 6 Min Walk
Each side of the square is named according to its geographical location, it is named after the Donegall family.
The same family also have other areas around the city named after them, such as: Donegall Street & the Donegall Road. For information please see here.
- The NCP carpark is 5 minutes away!
- On street parking is available in nearby side streets - it can hard to get a spot at peak times.
