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Stuart CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

Religious Site

Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral anchors the Cathedral Quarter with Gothic Revival stonework and a notable organ; visitors attend services, concerts and explore nearby pubs and history trails.

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In this guide

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast essentials

Country: United Kingdom
Driest months: Apr-Jun
Pay in: Pound (£)
Language: English

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast at a Glance

About St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast is a Church of Ireland cathedral located in the Cathedral Quarter of central Belfast, constructed at the turn of the 20th century.

The cathedral combines late Victorian and early 20th-century architectural elements and is notable for its tall tower into which a contemporary metal spire known as the “Spire of Hope” was installed in 2007. The interior contains mosaics, memorials and stained glass typical of cathedrals of the period.

Construction began around 1899 and the building was opened and extended in the early decades of the 20th century, with later restorations and additions responding to changing liturgical and civic uses.

The cathedral sits in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast city centre, close to major streets and within walking distance of central transport hubs and civic buildings.

  • Spire of Hope: A modern metal spire, the “Spire of Hope,” was fitted into the cathedral tower in 2007 and is visible from nearby streets.
  • Uses and events: Located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the building hosts concerts and civic events in addition to regular worship services.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast is accessible year‑round; for fewer crowds visit in the low season (November-February), while summer brings more tourists and busier weekends.

Low tourist season
November-February · 4-9 °C
Colder, quieter months with fewer sightseers-good if you prefer low crowd levels; some services and tours may be reduced.
Shoulder seasons
March-May and September-October · 6-15 °C
Milder weather and moderate visitor numbers; pleasant for combining an indoor visit to the cathedral with outdoor walking.
High season / Summer
June-August · 12-19 °C
Warmer, longer days and higher overall tourist numbers-weekends and festival periods see the most visitors to the cathedral and surrounding centre.

Weather & Climate near St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

Climate

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (808 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good
Best Time to Visit
MayJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 1° - 7° -1° 80 mm overcast 91% 6.8 m/s 0.0 low 7.7h
February Poor 2° - 8° 0° 57 mm overcast 90% 6.6 m/s 0.1 low 9.5h
March Acceptable 3° - 10° 3° 65 mm overcast 88% 6.2 m/s 0.3 low 11.7h
April Acceptable 4° - 13° 6° 55 mm overcast 86% 5.4 m/s 0.7 moderate 13.9h
May Good 7° - 17° 12° 54 mm overcast 85% 4.9 m/s 1.1 high 15.8h
June Good 10° - 19° 15° 57 mm overcast 85% 4.6 m/s 1.3 high 16.9h
July Good 12° - 21° 16° 60 mm overcast 86% 4.4 m/s 1.2 high 16.4h
August Good 12° - 20° 16° 74 mm overcast 87% 4.5 m/s 0.9 moderate 14.7h
September Good 9° - 17° 13° 73 mm overcast 88% 5.2 m/s 0.6 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable 7° - 13° 10° 82 mm overcast 88% 5.9 m/s 0.2 low 10.3h
November Acceptable 4° - 10° 3° 75 mm overcast 90% 6.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.3h
December Poor 2° - 7° 0° 76 mm overcast 91% 6.5 m/s 0.0 low 7.1h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

St Anne’s Cathedral sits in Belfast city centre (Cathedral Quarter) and is very easy to reach on foot. It’s about a 5-10 minute walk (roughly 400-800 m) from Great Victoria Street and Lanyon Place rail stations and is served by multiple city bus routes that stop on Donegall Street/High Street nearby. If driving, it’s in the central city area with short-distance parking options close to the cathedral.

Tips for Visiting St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

  • Go mid‑morning on a weekday to see the interior with fewer visitors and avoid Sunday service times.
  • The cathedral sits in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter on Donegall Street - combine your visit with a short walk around the Quarter to see nearby murals and independent cafés; check the cathedral's website for guided‑tour times and organ/choral events.