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The city's name derives from the Irish Béal Feirsde, later written as Béal Feirste. Béal is the Irish word for “mouth”, while Feirste (or Feirsde) means “sandbar”, literally the “mouth of the sandbar” created by the confluence of the Lagan and its tributary the Farset. The site of Belfast has been inhabited since the Bronze age. A 5000 year old henge, The Giant's Ring, is located close to the city, while the remains of several hill forts can be found in the surrounding hills. However, despite a history of sustained occupation and the construction of more than one castle, Belfast remained a relatively minor settlement until the 17th century.
The foundations of modern Belfast were laid in the 17th century when it was established as a town by Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy of Ireland between 1604 and 1615. During the 18th and 19th centuries Belfast saw rapid expansion, quickly becoming Ireland's leading industrial city. Belfast became famous for myriad industries, including linen, rope-making, tobacco and heavy engineering. Belfast was also to become a major centre for shipbuilding. While Southampton has a valid claim to being the home of the Titanic, Belfast has arguably an equally strong claim, being the city where the doomed liner was constructed. Belfast's connection to the Titanic is commemorated by a memorial outside the city hall.
Following the partition of Ireland in the early 20th century, Belfast was appointed the capital of the newly formed Northern Ireland. For the remainder of the 20th century the city was riven with sectarian violence, and was the scene of some of the worst atrocities of the period. During the period known as “The Troubles”, spanning the years 1969 to 2001, over 1500 people were to lose their lives to political violence.
Fortunately, the 1990s saw a period of intense negotiation, leading to an unprecedented rapprochement, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement and the near total cessation of hostilities. Although the strife that has afflicted the city remains burned in the collective memory of both the city and the country as a whole, the character and atmosphere of Belfast has been utterly transformed.
While certain aspects of Belfast's recent history are strongly associated with the city, to focus on this time alone is to do the city a major injustice; its long and rich history has produced a city that combines classical architecture with striking modern buildings. Further afield, just a short distance beyond the city's limits visitors will find history pushing back to the prehistoric era. Conversely, Belfast is also a cosmopolitan and lively city, full of life ranging from traditional Irish pubs to modern wine bars and restaurants. Belfast is truly as 21st century city, full of new surprises for the seasoned visitor, and sure to become a firm favourite with those visiting the city for the first time.