Belfast Historic Waterfront has secured its first investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Heritage Places programme.
Led by Maritime Belfast Trust, the funding will create three new community-based heritage roles across Inner East, Inner South and Inner North Belfast in partnership with EastSide Partnership, Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group and Sailortown Regeneration.
The two year initiative aims to reconnect local communities with Belfast’s waterfront by supporting heritage projects, community engagement and future investment opportunities along the River Lagan.
The project also supports Belfast’s Bolder Vision Strategy, helping restore connections between communities and the city’s historic waterfront.
Kerrie Sweeney, MBE, CEO of Maritime Belfast Trust, said:
“This is an important milestone for the Belfast Historic Waterfront. This first investment allows us to move from vision to action, embedding people and resources directly in communities to help shape the future of Belfast’s historic waterfront together.
“These new roles will help unlock local stories, strengthen partnerships, boosting pride in place and create the foundations for long-term heritage transformation.”
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“In delivering our Heritage 2033 strategy, Heritage Places is our long-term commitment to targeted, place-based investment. Belfast’s Historic Waterfront is one of 15 places across the UK that have been selected for support to connect communities and visitors with the breadth of heritage in the area – from its rich industrial past to the abundance of natural heritage.
“Most importantly, through these new roles, it’s an investment in people, increasing the capacity for communities in the area to engage with their local heritage ensuring everyone’s heritage is recognised.”
Terry McKeown, Sailortown Regeneration, said:
“We are pleased to play a part in the next chapter of the Belfast Historic Waterfront. Inner North Belfast has a rich maritime heritage, shaped by generations who lived and worked by the waterfront.
“This new role is an opportunity to work closely with local communities to uncover and share stories, strengthen connections, and keep the area’s heritage at the heart of regeneration, reconnecting people with the waterfront. We look forward to supporting the community to shape projects that reflect both the history and the future potential of this part of the city.”
