Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast

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The Albert Memorial Clock is a tall clock tower situated at Queen's Square, Belfast, in Northern Ireland.

[edit] History

Constructed mainly of sandstone, between 1865 and 1870, as a memorial to Queen Victoria's late Prince Consort, Prince Albert, it stands 113 feet tall. A statue of the Prince in robes of a Knight of the Garter stands on the western side of the tower. A two tonne bell is housed in the tower.

Designed by William J Barre, who also designed Belfast's Ulster Hall, it is described as a mix of French and Italian Gothic styles. The sculpture of Albert is by S.F. Lynn.

Built on wooden piles on marshy, reclaimed land around the River Farset, the top of the tower leans four feet off the perpendicular and is known colloquially as Belfast's "Leaning Tower of Pisa".

Being situated close to the docks, the tower was once infamous for being frequented by prostitutes plying their trade with visiting sailors. However, in recent years regeneration has turned the surrounding Queen's Square and Custom's House Square into attractive, modern public spaces with trees, fountains and sculptures.

In 1947, the film Odd Man Out was filmed partly in Belfast, with the Albert Clock as a central location, although neither the town nor the clock is explicitly identified.

[edit] Restoration

To halt the worsening lean and repair damage caused by the elements and heavy passing traffic, a multi-million pound restoration project was completed in 2002. During the project the wooden foundations were strengthened, the majority of the decaying carvings were replaced and the entire tower was cleaned.