![Belfast Wheel (05), December 2009](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Belfast_Wheel_%2805%29%2C_December_2009.JPG)
The Belfast Wheel was a tall transportable
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel (also called a Giant Wheel or an observation wheel) is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating upright wheel with multiple passenger-carrying components (commonly referred to as passenger cars, cabins, tubs, gondolas, capsules ...
installation in the centre of
Belfast
Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...
, Northern Ireland, in the grounds on the east side of
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall ( ga, Halla na Cathrach Bhéal Feirste; Ulster-Scots: ''Bilfawst Citie Haw'') is the civic building of Belfast City Council located in Donegall Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It faces North and effectively divides the comm ...
. It operated from November 2007 to April 2010.
History
The Belfast Wheel was brought to Belfast in partnership with
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council ( ga, Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste) is the local authority with responsibility for part of the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of (), the l ...
and the
Department for Social Development
The Department for Communities (DfC, Irish: ''An Roinn Pobal'', Ulster Scots: ''Depairtment fur Commonities'') is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. The minister with overall responsibility f ...
.
It was operated by
World Tourist Attractions Great City Attractions Limited, also known as Great City Attractions Global, was a company engaged in the operation of large transportable Ferris wheels. Based in Sutton Coldfield, UK, it was incorporated in 2008. It went into administration in Jul ...
.
It opened in November 2007 and operated seven days a week. Views right across Belfast and
Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough is a large, intertidal sea inlet on the east coast of Northern Ireland. At its head is the city and port of Belfast, which sits at the mouth of the River Lagan. The lough opens into the North Channel and connects Belfast to th ...
could be seen.
In May 2009, Belfast City Council voted to keep the big wheel on site for a further two years, from 1 September 2009. On 30 November 2009, the location of the Belfast Wheel again caused a row, resulting in the
Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairperson of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 60 councillors. The Lord Mayor also serves as the representative of the city of Belfast, welcoming guests from across the Un ...
Naomi Long
Naomi Rachel Long MLA (née Johnston; born 13 December 1971) is a Northern Irish politician who served as Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive from January 2020 to October 2022. She has served as leader of the Alliance Party ...
discussing the potential move of the Titanic Memorial before the 2012 anniversary.
The Belfast Wheel closed for business on Sunday 11 April 2010. The operator,
Great City Attractions Great City Attractions Limited, also known as Great City Attractions Global, was a company engaged in the operation of large transportable Ferris wheels. Based in Sutton Coldfield, UK, it was incorporated in 2008. It went into administration in Jul ...
, had announced a few weeks previously that it would be removed.
Protest
References
External links
Belfast City's official web page for the Belfast Wheel
{{Authority control
Transportable Ferris wheels
Buildings and structures in Belfast
Tourist attractions in Belfast