The Clock at the Fountain Centre

You can find this little clock in a sort of shopping centre, for want of a better term, about half way down Fountain Street, more commonly referred to as ‘out the back of Boots’ to those of us who are more used to finding their way around by shop and pub locations than by what the streets are actually called.
The clock itself is located over a set of outdoor escalators, which take you up above street level where you can find a hairdressers, lovely beauty salon, very funky wedding dress and cocktail frock shop and a café Nero among other things.
The real winner is the spacious terrace with benches on the level above the street where you can sit and listen to the clock bonging away. For those sunshiny lunch times which sometimes take you by surprise in Belfast, it’s the perfect alternative to squeezing on to a scrap of grass beside the multitudes outside the City Hall.

The Fountain Centre is home to a special little clock. The clock was built ten years ago in Hamburg and features 24 bronze bells which play various different tunes on the hour. Cute figures revolve around the clock in a style reminiscent of the video for that ‘It’s a Small World’ song. The figures are religious themed (Mary & Joseph, King David, John the Baptist) and then strangely Alice in Wonderland themed. The clock pillar was made by local artist Bernie Sutton. To say it was awe inspiring would be romanticising things ’cause it’s not exactly on par say with The Eiffel Tower or even the Obel Tower (see review) but if you like quaint charming wee features then come have a look at this delightful time piece, try and make it on the hour for the funny little show.

If you thought that the Albert Clock was the only famed timepiece in Belfast, then you were sadly wrong.
Belfast’s second clock (only in size mind you) is located at the Fountain Centre. It is really rather quaint and unusual, having been brought from Hamburg, where it was made, to Belfast a mere ten years ago.
If you’re in and around the Fountain Centre, perhaps you’ve popped into Utopia for a gift, or Caffe Nero for a coffee, take 5 minutes out to admire this enchanting timekeeper. It lies just above the escalators which take you up to the roof of the Fountain Centre, and the chimes can be observed dangling from the ceiling.
This is a lovely spot to sit on a sunny day, with a couple of calming fountains providing a tranquil atmosphere for the weary shopper. The benches which provide an opportune occasion to people watch on the pedestrian area below, and if you’re lucky enough to be there on the hour, the Hamburg Clock will happily play you a little tune, with cute figurines rotating round the pillar.
Not a must-​see, but if you so happen to be in the area, the Clock at the Fountain Centre will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face.