IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
May Street, BELFAST, BT1 4NL

Music Hall Lane runs from Upper Arthur Street to Montgomery Street. It takes its name from the music hall which one stood in May Street Image It is temporarily closed to facilitate building work Image The view is towards Montgomery Street.

See Image (August 2009). Long-closed but still standing – the former “Chimes” in Music Hall Lane.

See Image (October 2007). Music Hall Lane, from Montgomery Street, with the former “Chimes” Image on the left. Some extracts from old street directories: 1861 “1  Abraham Bell, cabinet maker four small houses” 1868 “6. Murphy, Felix, car owner 7. McVeigh, Thos., car owner 8. Loughran, A., flax bundler 9. Bushell, T., bonded stores” 1943 “Victoria Memorial Hall (rear entrance) Irish Shroud Co. Ltd. (rear entrance) Garrett, W. & E. J. (rear entrance)” 1960 “Victoria Memorial Hall (rear entrance) Boys' Brigade, The (rear entrance) Georgian Rooms, The (rear entrance) Paul, J. G. Ltd. (rear entrance) Display-More Shopfitters (rear entrance) Newell Oil Co. Ltd., store Ulster Aquatics, pet stores”.

See Image 26 years later the present Victoria Hall is a neo-Georgian affair. Much taller than its neighbours, there has been an attempt to disguise this by creating a false roof line above the second floor.

Two examples, at the Montgomery Street end of Music Hall Lane Image, of gate and corner protection made by the Millfield Foundry. Image shows the maker’s name.

See Image The plate showing the maker’s name as the Millfield Foundry.

The classical Victoria Hall was built in 1840 as the Victoria Music Hall. It later became a gospel hall before falling into disuse and decay. It was replaced by a neo-Georgian speculative development in the early 90’s (now occupied by the government solicitor’s office). The street to the rear is Music Hall Lane. Image shsows the replacement. See also Image (February 1982).

See Image The view along Upper Arthur Street to May Street with the derelict Victoria Hall Image at middle left and May Street Presbyterian church Image in the middle background. The building on the left, behind the car, had been Buster McShane’s gym until his premature death some years before this photo.

See Image The street name sign.

“The Chimes”, in Music Hall Lane, was a restaurant serving traditional food of exceptional quality at affordable prices – the rum babas were the stuff of legends. It was owned by two ladies who (on retirement, I think in the late 70’s) sold it to AN Other. It was never the same. It closed here and moved to Ballynahinch Street in Hillsborough. Continue to Image (October 2012).