54.596423 -5.929466

Description

The two great yellow-painted gantry cranes Samson and Goliath have become icons of Belfast, dominating the entire city skyline.

Constructed to service the vast new graving dock at Harland and Wolff, Goliath (the smaller at 315 ft) began work in 1969, and the 348ft Samson five years later. Each of the Krupp-Ardelt designed cranes can lift loads of up to 840 tons.

Harland and Wolff were still one of the world's great shipbuilders at the time and the building of the two cranes, during a difficult period for shipbuilding in Belfast, was seen as a sign of faith in the future.

Now much beloved Belfast landmarks, their own future was assured in 2003 when they were scheduled for preservation.
  • Queen's Road
  • Belfast
  • Antrim
  • BT3 9DT

Top Reasons To Visit

  • Landmark structures of Belfast
  • Named after the Biblical figures Samson and Goliath

You might also like

  • Titanic Belfast
    Titanic Belfast
    Attractions

    Titanic Belfast

    2.72 KM

    Titanic Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see on any visit to Belfast and…

    Find Out More
  • Irish FA Tours
    Irish FA Tours
    Attractions

    Irish FA Tours

    3.25 KM

    Irish FA Tours tells the unique story of Northern Ireland football from 1880 to present day using a…

    Find Out More
  • Titanic Public Art: Model of Hull
    Titanic Public Art: Model of Hull
    Attractions

    Titanic Public Art: Model of Hull

    3.72 KM

    Created as part of the Channel 4 and National Geographic television series ‘We built the Titanic’.

    Find Out More
  • Victoria Park
    Victoria Park
    Parks

    Victoria Park

    4.97 KM

    One of the park’s biggest attractions is its lake, which was originally used for boating.

    Find Out More
  • Belfast Zoological Gardens
    Belfast Zoological Gardens
    Attractions

    Belfast Zoological Gardens

    6.46 KM

    Belfast Zoological Gardens is home to more than 120 species of animal, many of which are in danger…

    Find Out More
  • Eden Pottery
    Eden Pottery
    Art Galleries

    Eden Pottery

    41.43 KM

    Pottery decorating is a creative, fun activity that suits all ages and abilities, an activity where the piece…

    Find Out More
  • Beacon of Hope
    Beacon of Hope
    Attractions

    Beacon of Hope

    0.95 KM

    Thanksgiving Square is an area of public space in Lanyon Place, Belfast based on Thanksgiving Square in Dallas,…

    Find Out More
  • Albert Clock
    Albert Clock
    Attractions

    Albert Clock

    0.75 KM

    The historic Albert clock is Belfast's very own leaning tower, Erected in 1865.

    Find Out More
Ask Us
Ask Us

We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a really odd question, then we're here for you.

Ask A Question

Ask a Question

"*" indicates required fields

Start
Choose a date
End
Choose a date
Back To Top
In order to display distances relevant to you, we'd like to be able to use your GPS location. Privacy Policy
In order to display distances relevant to your current position, we'd need to be able to use your GPS location. To find out more about how we use your location, please read our Privacy Policy
You have previously denied access to your GPS location. In order to allow access to your location, you need to update your site settings through your browser settings to allow this site access to your location.

To find out more about how we use your location, please read our Privacy Policy
Your settings have been updated. They will take effect next time you refresh the page.
By default, all distances on the site are calculated from Belfast City Centre. You can choose a different starting point here, or specify your own.

If you select a location more than 15km from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, your location will be set to Belfast City Centre.

Open 'Ask a Question' window Close 'Ask a Question' window

Ask a Question

X

"*" indicates required fields

Hide this tool

Open 'Sign up for Newsletter' window Close 'Sign up for Newsletter' window

Visit Belfast Newsletter

X

Sign up to the Visit Belfast newsletter and receive inspiring ideas, events and offers which showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Sign-Up

Hide this tool