Belfast Blitz: Bombs on Belfast City Centre

In April and May 1941, Luftwaffe bombs on Belfast City Centre tore the heart out of the industrial city in what would become known as the Belfast Blitz.

Areas affected by the Luftwaffe bombs in 1941

The following areas sustained great damage during the Belfast Blitz raids that occurred on 15th-16th April 1941 and 4th-5th May 1941.

Map showing Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Bridge Street in Belfast City Centre is almost unrecognisable today compared to 1941. Much of it was flattened after the devastation of the Belfast Blitz.

Map showing Donegall Place, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Donegall Place, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Donegall Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim was a scene of destruction in 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs flattened buildings in what became known as the Belfast Blitz.

Map showing Donegall Square North, Belfast

Donegall Square North, Belfast

Belfast

Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square North suffered damage to the roof and the ornate banquetting hall during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941.

Map showing Donegall Street, Belfast

Donegall Street, Belfast

Belfast

Donegall Street lies in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. St. Anne's Cathedral is one of a few buildings in the area to survive the Belfast Blitz.

Map showing High Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

High Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

High explosive Luftwaffe bombs destroyed much of High Street and nearby Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941.

Map showing Rosemary Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Rosemary Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Rosemary Street in Belfast, Co. Antrim is the site of one of Ireland's oldest Presbyterian churches. It survived the Luftwaffe attack of the Belfast Blitz.

Map showing Royal Avenue, Belfast

Royal Avenue, Belfast

Belfast

During the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941, buildings such as the offices of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper on Royal Avenue sustained serious damage.

Map showing Sugarhouse Entry, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Sugarhouse Entry, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Sugarhouse Entry took its name from the old sugar refinery in Belfast. This lane once ran parallel to Bridge Street between High Street and Waring Street.

Map showing Waring Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Waring Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

In later years, Waring Street became home of the Northern Ireland War Memorial and the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum. It suffered greatly in the Belfast Blitz.

Bombs on Belfast City Centre

Images captured by Belfast Telegraph photographers in the aftermath of the Belfast Blitz.

Soldier on Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
wartime-ni-bridge-street-1941
Northern Whig Offices on Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Bridge Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Bridge Street and High Street in May 1941
View from the Woolworths Building
Rosemary Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Fire Blitz on High Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
The National Bank, High Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Donegall Place and Arthur Street after the Belfast Blitz
St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Belfast Telegraph and Central Library
wwiini-belfast-telegraph-belfast-blitz-rosemary-street-presbyterian-church-01
Sugarhouse Entry, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Waring Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Blitz damage to Belfast City Hall