Stormont Building

I have lived most of my life close to Stormont but it’s only since I had children and dogs of my own that I have really discovered what a great place this is.
Stormont Estate is a huge expanse of grass and trees, making it perfect for somewhere to go to let off steam and get some fresh air. You can walk the dogs, play football, go for a run and let’s not forget that you can fit in a bit of culture by walking up to look at Carson’s statue and the Parliament Buildings, where our very own assembly sits. It’s exactly one mile from the main gates to the statue so you can congratulate yourself afterwards on how far you have walked.
There is a fantastic play park with the grounds which is one of the best in Northern Ireland and there are toilet facilities there as well as in the estate itself. These things are important when you have small kids.
Bring a picnic and make a day of it in summer and in winter bring your sled/​tray and join the crowds screaming their way up and down the slopes.
Stormont is also popular with cyclists and even though it’s used for so many different activities, I’ve never seen a collision yet.
Just a couple of pieces of advice — at 5pm ish, watch out for traffic on the road which goes through the middle of the estate as all those over-​worked civil servants race home. On second thoughts, make that 4pm. Also, the area just inside the gates is a minefield of dog poo so don’t let the kids go unsupervised until you are well inside the gates.

Hmm… Stormont. Or «Stor-​MOUNT» as it is incorrectly pronounced by the people who live around that area. The seat our our devolved government. The place where the fine chaps in charge of our little country come together to do… whatever it is they do. Squabbling probably.
Anyway, there is no doubt that the building and grounds are absolutely breathtaking, and it it all doesn’t work out, I would be more than happy to take over it as my stately home. I can quite see myself being lady of the manor…
Aside from it’s current purpose, the building also played host to the funeral service of Northern Irish footballer George Best, and notably though the news, was the scene of the so called «art demonstration» by loyalist madman Michael Stone.
Interesting fact about the building — it measures 365 feet wide — one foot for every day of the year (this was the idea when it was designed) it may be a bit odd, but interesting nonetheless!

The Stormont building stands imposingly on top of the hill at Stormont. The statuesque building houses the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive.
I was on a college tour here back in November, which comes recommended. We were informed about the grand hall and the special Italian marble used and the amazing ornate chandelier hanging in the front hall.
I also had the pleasure of coming back and working at Stormont (as a reporter for The Irish Times) for a months internship in February. It was an amazing time to be there, the devolution of policing and justice deal was on the brink, Peter Robinson was about to step down and Stormont was visibly buzzing. Well at least the press room was down in the basement.
I have very fond memories of writing stories down in the press room, seeing all the politicians and journalists mingle in the Stormont canteen and running up to the grand hall to tape politicians being interviewed by BBC etc.
Walking through the corridors, it was like being in an episode of The Thick of It.
The view from the main door of Stormont is amazing and there’s always something juicy going on inside, believe me!

If you value the country you live in and think you have a vested interest in the day to day goings on, you have to go to Stormont at least once in your life.
It is a picturesque little place, much more attractive than many of the other political buildings throughout Europe. The building has been here since 1932 where it was opened by King Edward VIII and was originally based on the White House buildings in Washington, DC.
The long road leading up to it is often used by walkers in the area who also enjoy the fantastic greenery surrounding the building.
I’ve been here a couple of times and been in the chambers and it is fascinating to see where the base of power in our country sits. The history is fantastic also. During WWII the building was painted with bitumen in order to camouflage it from German aircraft. It didn’t really work but the building did survive.
Go for a tour or even just enjoy the surroundings, just don’t run towards the front door as an form of artistic expression…

Stormont is a must see for any visitor to the city. It is essentially the foundation stone on which Northern Ireland was built and is a key figure in the country’s short history. It is the seat of the local devolved government and apart from being worth a look for the history behind it, the surrounding park scenery and nearby Stormont Castle are not to be missed.

Stormont is the site of the Northern Ireland Assembly since 1998 and a historical landmark in Northern Irish history since the 1920’s. It is situated high up on the hillside with a huge sweeping driveway up to it of approximately a kilometre. The building is 365 ft wide — one foot for each day of the year and the interior is stunning with marble as the main feature of each room.
This is a wonderful place to take an intense power walk or to walk your dog off the lead, as the only traffic allowed up the driveway is tourist buses and the cars of politicians and stately folk. There are great gardens to each side of the driveway and the building forms a real presence on the landscape. The walk is all up hill so if you do head up for a look take water, I was totally beat after my walk up and back again.
The grounds of Stormont are a public park area and open from 7.30am each day. The building itself is also accessible between 9am and 5pm each day and a bus runs from the city centre for those who don’t fancy parking in the small car park at the base outside the gates — this can get busy so you may need to park at a nearby side street or in the official car park next to the main building (if you can get in)