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Belfast: The Story of a City and its People
A lively and inviting history of Belfast—exploring the highs and lows of a resilient city
Modern Belfast is a beautiful city with a vibrant tradition of radicalism, industry, architectural innovation, and cultural achievement. But the city’s many qualities are all too frequently overlooked, its image marred by association with the political violence of the Troubles.
Feargal Cochrane tells the story of his home city, revealing a rich and complex history which is not solely defined by these conflicts. From its emergence as a maritime port to its heyday as a center for the linen industry and crucible of liberal radicalism in the late eighteenth century, through to the famous shipyards where the Titanic was built, Belfast has long been a hub of innovation. Cochrane’s book offers a new perspective on this fascinating story, demonstrating how religion, culture, and politics have shaped the way people think, act, and vote in the city—and how Belfast’s past continues to shape its present and future.
Modern Belfast is a beautiful city with a vibrant tradition of radicalism, industry, architectural innovation, and cultural achievement. But the city’s many qualities are all too frequently overlooked, its image marred by association with the political violence of the Troubles.
Feargal Cochrane tells the story of his home city, revealing a rich and complex history which is not solely defined by these conflicts. From its emergence as a maritime port to its heyday as a center for the linen industry and crucible of liberal radicalism in the late eighteenth century, through to the famous shipyards where the Titanic was built, Belfast has long been a hub of innovation. Cochrane’s book offers a new perspective on this fascinating story, demonstrating how religion, culture, and politics have shaped the way people think, act, and vote in the city—and how Belfast’s past continues to shape its present and future.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 19, 2025
Amazing how much you can learn about a city you think you know well. A complicated story brilliantly told. Aptly quotes the film Belfast, "For the ones who stayed. For the ones who left. And for all the ones who were lost".
August 5, 2024
The city of Belfast has got a bad rap, particularly during the last half century since the start of The Troubles, and has often been unfairly maligned as a town dominated by paramilitary violence and inter-communal strife. Thankfully, there is a book that is prepared to put the record straight and to show that – to paraphrase Alan Partridge – “there is more to Belfast than this”. “Belfast – The Story of a City and its People” is the academic and Belfast native Feargal Cochrane’s attempt to paint a more rounded picture of the town, and tell a story that more accurately depicts Belfast’s “journey of dazzling achievement perforated by heart-breaking failure, a combination of triumph and tragedy that has produced a unique and radical identity”.
As Feargal Cochrane traces in his excellent study of the city, Belfast was founded in the early 1600s to essentially function as a bastion of English control in Ireland and so as “in order to control and subjugate the surrounding population”. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Belfast developed into ‘Linenopolis’, a stronghold of textile and linen production. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, Belfast became a hotbed of political radicalism as liberal Presbyterians – themselves inspired by Enlightenment and French Revolutionary ideals – formed societies such as The United Irishmen that championed religious liberty for all and separatism from Britain.
Feargal Cochrane places a huge emphasis on The United Irishmen movement throughout his book on Belfast, astutely arguing that the story of the society haS largely been airbrushed out of Ulster’s history during the decades of unionist dominance of Stormont. Cochrane writes about how this invisible history of radical Presbyterianism (of how “the first republicans were Protestant”) remains shamefully neglected, even a quarter of a century after the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement supposedly showed a pathway out of sectarian division. However, as inspiring and laudable as the United Irishmen’s ambition to achieve “the unity of Catholic, Protestant, and Dissenter” might have been, I think Feargal Cochrane accords them too much significance and relevance as a way of understanding contemporary Belfast, or as a route to a more unified city.
Rather than writing a strictly chronological history of the city, Cochrane has organised “Belfast” into thematic chapters. This structure works well and ensures a lively pace throughout the book, with various sections examining Industry, Politics, Shipbuilding, Architecture, The Troubles, Poetry and Literature, and latter-day Tourism in Belfast. On this latter topic, Cochrane is entertainingly bemused at Belfast’s ‘Tourism-Industrial Complex’, as represented by the “commodification and sanitisation” of Belfast street art, and how much of the city’s tourist trade seems to be based on a voyeuristic ‘human zoo’ element that repurposes myths about The Troubles for profit. Feargal Cochrane is also excoriating about the British Government’s negligence towards the city; if it is true that you can tell the story of Belfast through its buildings, then the current dereliction that blights the city centre speaks volumes.
What works really well in “Belfast – The Story of a City and its People” is that Feargal Cochrane intersperses the historical and political with the acutely personal. Cochrane had an interesting upbringing, being a Catholic growing up in predominantly Protestant East Belfast during the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. This gives him a distinctive perspective about the city, and Cochrane avoids being overly partisan while also not falling into the trap of seeming too emotionally detached from his subject matter.
It is almost inevitable that The Troubles look large in “Belfast”, but Cochrane is careful that they don’t completely overwhelm the city’s illustrious history. He studiously tackles misconceptions about Belfast, while also giving space to hopeful developments and notes of optimism for the future (the excellent cross-community work being done by East Belfast GAA being one notable example). Undoubtedly the best way to enjoy this impressive book is to get yourself to the magnificent city of Belfast, and savour this tome over a pint in Bittle’s, Madden’s or The Sunflower.
As Feargal Cochrane traces in his excellent study of the city, Belfast was founded in the early 1600s to essentially function as a bastion of English control in Ireland and so as “in order to control and subjugate the surrounding population”. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Belfast developed into ‘Linenopolis’, a stronghold of textile and linen production. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, Belfast became a hotbed of political radicalism as liberal Presbyterians – themselves inspired by Enlightenment and French Revolutionary ideals – formed societies such as The United Irishmen that championed religious liberty for all and separatism from Britain.
Feargal Cochrane places a huge emphasis on The United Irishmen movement throughout his book on Belfast, astutely arguing that the story of the society haS largely been airbrushed out of Ulster’s history during the decades of unionist dominance of Stormont. Cochrane writes about how this invisible history of radical Presbyterianism (of how “the first republicans were Protestant”) remains shamefully neglected, even a quarter of a century after the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement supposedly showed a pathway out of sectarian division. However, as inspiring and laudable as the United Irishmen’s ambition to achieve “the unity of Catholic, Protestant, and Dissenter” might have been, I think Feargal Cochrane accords them too much significance and relevance as a way of understanding contemporary Belfast, or as a route to a more unified city.
Rather than writing a strictly chronological history of the city, Cochrane has organised “Belfast” into thematic chapters. This structure works well and ensures a lively pace throughout the book, with various sections examining Industry, Politics, Shipbuilding, Architecture, The Troubles, Poetry and Literature, and latter-day Tourism in Belfast. On this latter topic, Cochrane is entertainingly bemused at Belfast’s ‘Tourism-Industrial Complex’, as represented by the “commodification and sanitisation” of Belfast street art, and how much of the city’s tourist trade seems to be based on a voyeuristic ‘human zoo’ element that repurposes myths about The Troubles for profit. Feargal Cochrane is also excoriating about the British Government’s negligence towards the city; if it is true that you can tell the story of Belfast through its buildings, then the current dereliction that blights the city centre speaks volumes.
What works really well in “Belfast – The Story of a City and its People” is that Feargal Cochrane intersperses the historical and political with the acutely personal. Cochrane had an interesting upbringing, being a Catholic growing up in predominantly Protestant East Belfast during the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. This gives him a distinctive perspective about the city, and Cochrane avoids being overly partisan while also not falling into the trap of seeming too emotionally detached from his subject matter.
It is almost inevitable that The Troubles look large in “Belfast”, but Cochrane is careful that they don’t completely overwhelm the city’s illustrious history. He studiously tackles misconceptions about Belfast, while also giving space to hopeful developments and notes of optimism for the future (the excellent cross-community work being done by East Belfast GAA being one notable example). Undoubtedly the best way to enjoy this impressive book is to get yourself to the magnificent city of Belfast, and savour this tome over a pint in Bittle’s, Madden’s or The Sunflower.
September 25, 2025
(Book read and reviewed for graduate level Local History class)
Feargal Cochrane’s Belfast: The Story of a City and its People offers a compelling exploration of the city’s turbulent past and vibrant identity. The book builds on two main arguments that shape the effectiveness of Cochrane’s writing. First, he argues that, despite Belfast’s reputation of political instability and violence, the root cause of the radicalism in the city goes beyond the Troubles of the late 20th century. Instead, it begins all the way back to the city’s initial colonization by the British. Second, he claims that Belfast has always held a radical edge that has both propelled the city forward and prevented it from realizing its full potential. Cochrane sets out to provide his readers with a more realistic understanding of Belfast and the historical forces that shaped it into the city it is today.
Rather than following a strict chronology, Cochrane structures the book thematically. He delves into Belfast’s role in the Industrial Revolution, the impact of the Lagan River on the city’s development, radicalism, shipbuilding, tourism, architecture, the Troubles, religion, and even the future of the city. His approach is observational rather than chronological, allowing him more freedom with what he discusses and how he applies it. It gives him the flexibility to move between subjects and connect them in ways that emphasize the city’s complexity.
Cochrane’s writing stands out in its accessibility and warmth, with an air of familiarity to how he speaks to his readers. It almost feels as though the reader is on a walking tour of the city with a particularly knowledgeable local guide who stops to point out unassuming buildings and divulge the history only known to locals. For such a divisive subject, Cochrane writes with a fierce loyalty and pride that reflects his conviction that Belfast deserves recognition beyond its stereotypes. His voice carries both affection and authority, drawing readers into the city’s story without alienating them.
As a work of local history, Belfast succeeds in introducing new readers to the complexities of the city. Cochrane emphasizes early on that there is no such thing as a neutral history, warning readers to be cautious of accounts that claim otherwise. He reminds us that “...what we deem worthy of recording, and the interpretation we put on that, is just as much a political and cultural act as what we do not select or include” (p. 24). This acknowledgement sets the tone of the book: while his writing reflects his own perspective as someone from Belfast, it still offers valuable insight that challenges simplistic narratives.
That being said, the book does have weaknesses. Cochrane relies heavily on secondary sources rather than primary materials. Such a choice works reasonably well when he discusses the Troubles, since his own experiences give him credibility as a witness. However, the earlier chapters have a tendency to feel thinner as a result. They would benefit from first person accounts such as testimonies from linen workers or voices from those who lived in Belfast during the Protestant Reformation. Accounts like these would ground his analysis in the lived experiences of past generations. Without them, the narrative sometimes feels more like commentary than historical reconstruction.
Despite these shortcomings, Belfast: The Story of a City and its People remains a vivid and enjoyable work of local history. Cochrane’s passion for the city he grew up in shines through every page, giving the book a distinct energy that makes it engaging even for readers unfamiliar with Belfast. While it may not stand up as a work of rigorous academic history and should be used cautiously in research, it excels as a work of public history. Cochrane crafts a narrative that makes the city approachable, relatable, and thought provoking. For anyone who finds themselves curious about Belfast, British colonization in Ireland, religious conflict, or the Trouble, this book offers a lively introduction that goes beyond the cliches.
Feargal Cochrane’s Belfast: The Story of a City and its People offers a compelling exploration of the city’s turbulent past and vibrant identity. The book builds on two main arguments that shape the effectiveness of Cochrane’s writing. First, he argues that, despite Belfast’s reputation of political instability and violence, the root cause of the radicalism in the city goes beyond the Troubles of the late 20th century. Instead, it begins all the way back to the city’s initial colonization by the British. Second, he claims that Belfast has always held a radical edge that has both propelled the city forward and prevented it from realizing its full potential. Cochrane sets out to provide his readers with a more realistic understanding of Belfast and the historical forces that shaped it into the city it is today.
Rather than following a strict chronology, Cochrane structures the book thematically. He delves into Belfast’s role in the Industrial Revolution, the impact of the Lagan River on the city’s development, radicalism, shipbuilding, tourism, architecture, the Troubles, religion, and even the future of the city. His approach is observational rather than chronological, allowing him more freedom with what he discusses and how he applies it. It gives him the flexibility to move between subjects and connect them in ways that emphasize the city’s complexity.
Cochrane’s writing stands out in its accessibility and warmth, with an air of familiarity to how he speaks to his readers. It almost feels as though the reader is on a walking tour of the city with a particularly knowledgeable local guide who stops to point out unassuming buildings and divulge the history only known to locals. For such a divisive subject, Cochrane writes with a fierce loyalty and pride that reflects his conviction that Belfast deserves recognition beyond its stereotypes. His voice carries both affection and authority, drawing readers into the city’s story without alienating them.
As a work of local history, Belfast succeeds in introducing new readers to the complexities of the city. Cochrane emphasizes early on that there is no such thing as a neutral history, warning readers to be cautious of accounts that claim otherwise. He reminds us that “...what we deem worthy of recording, and the interpretation we put on that, is just as much a political and cultural act as what we do not select or include” (p. 24). This acknowledgement sets the tone of the book: while his writing reflects his own perspective as someone from Belfast, it still offers valuable insight that challenges simplistic narratives.
That being said, the book does have weaknesses. Cochrane relies heavily on secondary sources rather than primary materials. Such a choice works reasonably well when he discusses the Troubles, since his own experiences give him credibility as a witness. However, the earlier chapters have a tendency to feel thinner as a result. They would benefit from first person accounts such as testimonies from linen workers or voices from those who lived in Belfast during the Protestant Reformation. Accounts like these would ground his analysis in the lived experiences of past generations. Without them, the narrative sometimes feels more like commentary than historical reconstruction.
Despite these shortcomings, Belfast: The Story of a City and its People remains a vivid and enjoyable work of local history. Cochrane’s passion for the city he grew up in shines through every page, giving the book a distinct energy that makes it engaging even for readers unfamiliar with Belfast. While it may not stand up as a work of rigorous academic history and should be used cautiously in research, it excels as a work of public history. Cochrane crafts a narrative that makes the city approachable, relatable, and thought provoking. For anyone who finds themselves curious about Belfast, British colonization in Ireland, religious conflict, or the Trouble, this book offers a lively introduction that goes beyond the cliches.
March 31, 2024
History of the geography, culture, politics of Belfast and an examination of the factors driving a segregated, binary culture of Catholic Irish nationalists and Protestant Northern Irish Unionists. Cochrane lays out a hopeful vision of what it would take for Belfast and Northern Ireland to move beyond this binary culture. The hope is rooted in a growing economy, new cultural institutions that reach beyond the traditional camps, tourism and poetry. He roots this belief in the history of Northern Irish radicalism during the 1790's when a merchant class of Presbyterian merchants united with the Catholic Irish in a movement to gain rights beyond those held by the Anglican ruling class.
Continued breaking down of cultural segregation will be an up-hill battle against the forces brought on by Brexit and an often-indifferent British government.
Continued breaking down of cultural segregation will be an up-hill battle against the forces brought on by Brexit and an often-indifferent British government.
June 29, 2024
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/two-very-different-books-about-belfast/
A very accessible book, rooted in Cochrane’s personal story of having grown up as a Catholic in a mixed but traditionally Protestant area of the city (as I did), reflecting on the early history of the city, where he is keen on the radical political tradition of the McCrackens, the Assembly Rooms (now dilapidated) and the Linen Hall Library (of which I was a Governor back in the mid-1990s), and also looking at culture – music, theatre, poetry, and other parts of the arts. I found the first part more engaging, the second feeling a bit too structured, but the information is all good, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about how it feels to be in or from Belfast.
A very accessible book, rooted in Cochrane’s personal story of having grown up as a Catholic in a mixed but traditionally Protestant area of the city (as I did), reflecting on the early history of the city, where he is keen on the radical political tradition of the McCrackens, the Assembly Rooms (now dilapidated) and the Linen Hall Library (of which I was a Governor back in the mid-1990s), and also looking at culture – music, theatre, poetry, and other parts of the arts. I found the first part more engaging, the second feeling a bit too structured, but the information is all good, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about how it feels to be in or from Belfast.
August 17, 2024
A love letter to Belfast. An interesting account from someone who is from the area-- and addresses some of the challenges facing the city and N.I. in general. But the book has an overall optimistic, at times uncritical, outlook. Also, there is a series of repetition of points and phrases that frequently arise along with some cliche writing such as a relative having "a twinkle" in his eyes, etc. A better editor could have caught such lapses and better condensed some ideas. The focus on buildings is particularly interesting in arguing that these edifices are sedimentations of history and identities. A decent read.
December 24, 2023
A personal treatment of Belfast by a resident. Clever introduction of the key personalities in the city's four centuries. Also comments on important buildings and events that happened there. Helpful explanation of the city's economy through the years and its impact on hiring patterns and job discrimination. A chapter on local poets was unexpected; a chapter-length essay questioning "conflict tourism" is thought-provoking. This visitor found the book a helpful preparation. (For the record, I found the city and County Down to be spic and span, a wonderful place to visit.)
June 21, 2024
Makes some strange choices--a chapter on poets is 0nly about poets from the last forty or so years, and it eventually just devolves into little more than a list of poets that he likes, which is fine but not that informative. Kind of amazing to have a chapter on the Titanic--obviously, it's built there, and the shipyards are a big part of history, but the focus on the Titanic as part of the history still seems odd (though it did get me excited about going to the museum). Glad I read it before going, but a bit dull overall.
September 16, 2024
An excellent book about one of my favourite cities - I loved living in Belfast over a decade ago and as a foreigner, while aware of the divisions, I myself always felt very safe and welcomed.
I enjoyed learning more about what I knew little about - the weaving and shipbuilding industries, and I found the chapter on the Troubles really interesting and well-balanced. My favourite ones were the last two, about tourism and its commodification of conflict at times, and about the very dynamic poetry scene.
Highly recommend.
I enjoyed learning more about what I knew little about - the weaving and shipbuilding industries, and I found the chapter on the Troubles really interesting and well-balanced. My favourite ones were the last two, about tourism and its commodification of conflict at times, and about the very dynamic poetry scene.
Highly recommend.
May 21, 2024
While I expected this book to focus more heavily on “modern” history, primarily The Troubles, I walk away glad for the comprehensive history Cochrane tells. I found the writing well balanced between academic and approachable and I love the inclusion of personal anecdotes. If you’re interested in religious and political divides or planning a trip to Ireland and/or Belfast specifically I’d say this is worth a read.
September 14, 2023
I was a young adult during the 80s and had a fling with a boy from Belfast.
I remember when he talked about the people he knew and died in a bombing or were arrested.
This book was a good introduction to a differnt side of Belfat, not the city of the Trouble but a multifacted city with a long history
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I remember when he talked about the people he knew and died in a bombing or were arrested.
This book was a good introduction to a differnt side of Belfat, not the city of the Trouble but a multifacted city with a long history
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 27, 2024
I picked this book up while visiting Belfast hoping for a wide-angle view of the city and its history. It achieved the goal in some respects. I did find the writing a little clunky and repetitive at times. I also thought the chapter on poetry was fairly weak, but there were enough interesting tidbits throughout the rest of the book to make it worthwhile.
October 17, 2025
Of course I always prefer a fiction book over nonfiction this book did hold my interest because of my first hand knowledge of the Troubles as they are known. As the author recounts great progress has been made sine the Good Friday agreement of 1989 but there is still an undercurrent of tension. Brexit may prove to be the thing that brings Ireland back to one country.
November 5, 2025
helped me immensely for my 3 day, 2 night trip to Belfast. The Tourism part is mostly skippable but other parts welcome both semi-knowledgeable and the complete newbies of readers. Would greatly elevate your Belfast experience.
September 26, 2023
Excellent history info on the troubled , radical City of Belfast.
January 22, 2024
A fantastic easy read for anyone who loves or wants to know about my great city. A brilliant stepping off point for anyone looking to know more about this city
February 29, 2024
Insightful, often personal, account of the history of Belfast to the present time. The author, an academic, provides a critical and readable study. The work is a pleasure to read.
January 21, 2025
informative and educational read - jumps around a bit in terms of history but it gets there in the end
July 23, 2024
Written in repetitive prose and not particularly memorable. The chapter on tourism felt especially bloated.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews