The Belfast Drop 📍 Tuesday 17 June 2025
Racist graffiti condemned, homeless day centre objections, East Belfast stadium redevelopment + new night market
⛅ Good morning and welcome to The Belfast Drop. There are a lot of new subscribers from over the weekend - thanks for joining! If you’d like to know more about who I am and what this is all about, have a read here for a run-through. Let’s get into it - here’s Tuesday’s edition.
🚨 Racist graffiti on a house in South Belfast has been widely condemned. It comes after days of rioting across Northern Ireland. - Connor Lynch, Belfast Live.
🏡 Objections have been raised to plans for a new homeless day centre in the city centre. - Michael Kenwood, Local Democracy Reporter.
🏢 Plans for the development of a city centre office building into apartments have been recommended for approval. - Claire Cartmill, News Letter.
⚽ Planners have recommended approval for the redevelopment of The Oval football stadium in East Belfast. - Conor Coyle, The Irish News.
🌳 New figures show how much spending on public realm schemes varies across Northern Ireland. - Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph.
🐕 A new machine cleaning up dog mess is set to make its debut in parts of West Belfast. - Conor McParland, Belfast Media Group.
✊ Hundreds of people attended an anti-racism rally in the city centre over the weekend. The emergency rally was sparked by a week of violence. - UTV News.
🍻 A Belfast pub has issued a statement after part of its roof collapsed over the weekend. - Connor Lynch, Belfast Live.
🛳️ One of the world’s most luxurious cruse ships has docked in Belfast, complete with its own ““multi-million-dollar art collection.” - Paul Ainsworth, Irish News
🐘 Belfast Zoo has now reopened to the public after a small amount of e.coli was found in a routine water sample taken from the site. - Full statement from the zoo.
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📌 Ulster Orchestra are hosting a Community Information Session this Wednesday from 4pm to 5.30pm to share their plans for restoring and renovating their new home at the former Townsend Street Church. An organiser said: “Free and open to the public – all welcome. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. Accessible parking available on site.”
📌 “Night Market Sailortown lights up Barrow Square, Clarendon Dock on Friday 20th June from 5pm–10pm. Find us just a 7-minute walk from The Big Fish, with DJ sets, street food, craft drinks, and late-night shopping. It’s the official opening of Sailortown Festival 2025, come hungry, stay late.” - Thanks to Thomas from Urban Events for the heads up.
📌Native Coffee are hosting their second Sober Social Quiz Night this Friday from 6pm to 8pm. They said: “With prizes & drink promos on the night - make sure to reserve your team’s spot by dropping us a dm (include number of team members).
Last time we SOLD OUT & it’s giving some gorgy weather.”
📌 United Against Racism Belfast are holding a Stand Up To Racism rally outside City Hall this Saturday from 1.30pm. An organiser said: “Please join. Stand up for your neighbours, your friends, the people who come here to survive and deserve safety. This is urgent.”
📌 Make Music Day 2025 is happening on Saturday, with free performances across the Linen Quarter area. Linen Quarter BID said: “From 12pm to 6pm, local and international musicians will bring beats and bants to public spaces, including Flaxx Outdoor Living Room on Brunswick Street, the Rory Gallagher Statue outside Ulster Hall, and Belfast Grand Central Station.”
📌 Vault Artist Studios are hosting an ‘Art Car Boot Fair’ this Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. An organiser said: “Cars, boots, art, art junk, bric-a-brac, installations, pop-up galleries, tunes, refreshments and revelry! Kid, adult and animal friendly.”
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🎨 And finally… I have been enjoying the new artwork on utility boxes around the city - it really helps brighten the place up. Around 110 utility cabinets have had makeovers since 2019!
📩 Thanks for reading The Belfast Drop edition number 14.
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