St Joseph's Church Guided Tours EHOD 2026

Sailortown was Belfast’s first waterfront village, originating out of the expansion and growth of Belfast maritime industry. Its streets were home to a thriving working class community, employed in the local warehouses, mills, the docks and other seafaring occupations.

Closed by the Diocese in 2001 despite a vigorous community Campaign to keep it open, it lay derelict until 2017.

Since then it has undergone a series of interim repairs and now operates as a community hub and venue space displaying a wealth of Heritage Material. For EHOD we will offer tours and welcome anyone with stories to tell about life in Sailortown.

We are working with ArtsEkta on a Dockside Stories project and are especially interested in hearing from those with stories relating to the cultural heritage of Sailortown, Little Italy, and the Half Bap.