54.607500277175, -5.935707848416
Carlisle Memorial
Carlisle Circus
Belfast
BT13 1AB
United Kingdom
Venue Type(s)
Carlisle Memorial Church was constructed between 1872 and 1874, financed by local merchant James Carlisle in memory of his deceased children. Designed by local architect William Henry Lynn in an untypically grand High-Gothic style for Methodist buildings, it was colloquially named the ‘Methodist Cathedral.’ It remained in constant use until its closure in 1980. In the years following, the building was subject to neglect which threatened it’s structural integrity prior to BBT’s involvement.
Carlisle Memorial is now a long-term regeneration project of Belfast Buildings Trust. BBT is working to ensure a relevant use for the building that connects with local community needs and provides economic and skills development. Since 2015, Carlisle Memorial has been a venue for a range of mixed commercial and community uses, spanning cultural, corporate, and engagement events. These include a Christmas Craft Fair, music performances, film and TV recording, rehearsal space, and exhibition space.
One step, free accessible entrance. And four accessible bathrooms.
Contact Details
Venue Facilities
Ad-hoc parking is available on Regent Street to the rear; the building does not have dedicated parking facilities.
Translink Metro 1 Route runs along Clifton Street, with a bus stop immediately next to the building.
722m2 floor space, with a large vaulted ceiling. (Floor plan and sections to scale attached separately).
Audience capacities are developed ad-hoc depending on usage; capacity to date is c.300 for seated performances and c.500 for mixed seated/standing events.
Full entertainment license; no BBT restriction on selling alcohol, but there is no license in place.
The building’s interior space is essentially a single, double-height space, including a central nave and arched side aisles. Also includes a semi-permanent, self-contained structure in one of the side aisles, with a fully fitted kitchen and four toilets.
Serviced by 63A, 3-phase electrical supply, in addition to a regular 13A domestic-scale supply.
11pm curfew for public events.
As a phased regeneration project, the building does not have permanent event infrastructure, apart from the electrical supply. There is no rigging and no seating; apart from the toilet and kitchen block, there is no heating.
Relevant intervention by hirers, eg staging, lighting, seating, and the infrastructure required to support this, should be provided by users. This should be unobtrusive to the building’s existing character, eg drilling into flooring and walls, is not allowed.
