Parliament Buildings Gets Ready for 80th Anniversary Festivities

Parliament Buildings, the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, will mark its 80^th anniversary this month with a very special open day on 17 November. The day will feature theatre, drama, dance, crafts, vintage cars and special tours.  Visitors will also be able to view the photographic exhibition on the construction of the building.

The open day will begin at 11.00 with a vintage bus taking those arriving at the Stormont Estate gates up the Prince of Wales Avenue to Parliament Buildings. Visitors will be met with a host of activities, both inside and outside the building.

Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Mr William Hay MLA said: “We are very pleased to host this special open day celebrating the opening of Parliament Buildings 80 years ago. The construction of Parliament Buildings was a massive undertaking and today, the building is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic and famous landmarks.

“This building belongs to the public and the Assembly Commission therefore thought it was only right that we should mark this anniversary with a special opportunity for visitors, particularly those who have never been here before or think they can’t come in. We have held public tours for two years but the open day will feature a number of activities for that day only including tours led by actors in period costume and a feast of music, dance and drama, The Long Gallery will also be the venue for demonstrations of the crafts that went into the construction and decoration of Parliament Buildings.

“We hope that many people of all ages join us on the 17^th November and enjoy a unique day at Parliament Buildings.”

A full programme of activities is available on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.

ENDS