The Crown

The Crown Saloon/Bar/Pub, the most famous pub in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is located in the heart of the city on Great Victoria Street. It is famous for its Victorian architecture including the elaborate use of ceramic tiling and stain glass, the bar and other woodwork, and even the high relief crimson ceiling. It also is said to be the most frequently bombed pub in Belfast across the various political and civil upheavals in Ireland. While the building dates to 1826 as the Railroad Tavern, the Crown emerged after the Victorian remodel 1885. The National Trust stepped in twice to bring the Crown back to its original glory - in the late 1970s and again in the first decade of this century. On our visit, we were captivated by the intricate tile, stained glass, wood panels, and ceiling, the bar itself, and the rich blend of colors. The same themes were continued in the rest rooms. We especially enjoyed a meal (great food) and the opportunity to take it in one of the wood panel enclosed booths (called "snugs"). Once inside you close the door and call for service using an antique bell system. The electrified gas lamp above and striker plate (for matches) on the wall add to the historic feel. You can take a virtual tour of the Crown at:

http://www.virtualvisittours.com/the-crown-bar-belfast/

The idea for this post came from my wife who saw on BBC News America (PBS) that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, his fiancée, visited the Crown yesterday on their visit to Belfast (that photo is from the Internet). We enjoyed a number of great pubs in Ireland (I anticipate featuring a few in future posts), but this was the Crown!