I USED A SONY A7RVI WITH A 24MM LENS
9 JULY 2026 I DECIDED TO REVISIT THE CITY CEMETERY IN BELFAST [DESPITE REPORTS OF ANTI-SOCIAL ACTIVITY]
For years, I had been advised to avoid certain cemeteries in Belfast, with the Belfast City Cemetery singled out as a particular risk if carrying expensive photographic equipment. In 2021, I decided to take the Glider to the site anyway. However, upon arrival, I was forced to leave almost immediately due to a volatile anti-social incident involving a group of heavily intoxicated individuals who had targeted a person in a wheelchair, drawing others into the confrontation.
The following year, both the head chef at my hotel and a local priest I happened to meet while photographing a church suggested I give the cemetery another chance. They recommended visiting between ten and eleven in the morning. Although I took their advice, logistical delays meant I didn't arrive until around two o'clock in the afternoon. Despite the later hour, I stayed for two hours without incident, photographing at random rather than seeking out specific, notable graves.
I returned in December 2025, carrying a compact Fujifilm X100VI. Unfortunately, atrocious winter weather severely compromised the quality of the images, prompting a promise to myself that I would return under better conditions in 2026.
That opportunity came this week (6–10 July 2026). Mindful of past advice, I opted for an early morning arrival. The strategy worked perfectly; I encountered only two people during the entire session. After wrapping up, I caught the Glider G1 directly over to the Stormont Estate.
Belfast City Cemetery is an expansive municipal burial ground located in west Belfast. Situated within the townland of Ballymurphy between the Falls Road and Springfield Road, it lies adjacent to Milltown Cemetery and is maintained by the Belfast City Council. While widespread vandalism and security issues have frequently marred its reputation in public reports, a targeted, early morning approach offers a quiet and secure window for documentary work.
I decided to research if the claims relating to anti-social activity are/were true and here is the information that I received:
Yes, the claims of widespread anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Belfast City Cemetery are entirely accurate and well-documented. Your experience and the warnings you received from locals align closely with ongoing challenges the site has faced over the years.
Local media, police reports, and statements from Belfast City Council highlight several recurring issues:
Vandalism to Graves: The cemetery has unfortunately been targeted repeatedly. Notable incidents include the destruction of headstones in the historic Jewish section, ongoing damage to Commonwealth War Graves, and even cases where youth gathered to burn pallets over unmarked plots.
Daytime Gathering and Drinking: Local councillors and community groups have frequently raised alarms over groups using the vast, secluded areas of the cemetery for drinking, drug use, and anti-social gatherings during the afternoon and evening, which explains the specific advice you received to stick strictly to the morning hours.
Security Initiatives: The issue has been severe enough that Belfast City Council has previously run pilot programs deploying specialised mobile CCTV, smart sensors, and AI-driven monitoring systems (such as the Smart Belfast initiatives) to track illegal footfall and gathering after hours or in remote corners of the grounds.
Your strategy of arriving early in the morning is the precise recommendation shared by locals and regular visitors to ensure a peaceful, uninterrupted window for photography.
For years, I had been advised to avoid certain cemeteries in Belfast, with the Belfast City Cemetery singled out as a particular risk if carrying expensive photographic equipment. In 2021, I decided to take the Glider to the site anyway. However, upon arrival, I was forced to leave almost immediately due to a volatile anti-social incident involving a group of heavily intoxicated individuals who had targeted a person in a wheelchair, drawing others into the confrontation.
The following year, both the head chef at my hotel and a local priest I happened to meet while photographing a church suggested I give the cemetery another chance. They recommended visiting between ten and eleven in the morning. Although I took their advice, logistical delays meant I didn't arrive until around two o'clock in the afternoon. Despite the later hour, I stayed for two hours without incident, photographing at random rather than seeking out specific, notable graves.
I returned in December 2025, carrying a compact Fujifilm X100VI. Unfortunately, atrocious winter weather severely compromised the quality of the images, prompting a promise to myself that I would return under better conditions in 2026.
That opportunity came this week (6–10 July 2026). Mindful of past advice, I opted for an early morning arrival. The strategy worked perfectly; I encountered only two people during the entire session. After wrapping up, I caught the Glider G1 directly over to the Stormont Estate.
Belfast City Cemetery is an expansive municipal burial ground located in west Belfast. Situated within the townland of Ballymurphy between the Falls Road and Springfield Road, it lies adjacent to Milltown Cemetery and is maintained by the Belfast City Council. While widespread vandalism and security issues have frequently marred its reputation in public reports, a targeted, early morning approach offers a quiet and secure window for documentary work.
I decided to research if the claims relating to anti-social activity are/were true and here is the information that I received:
Yes, the claims of widespread anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Belfast City Cemetery are entirely accurate and well-documented. Your experience and the warnings you received from locals align closely with ongoing challenges the site has faced over the years.
Local media, police reports, and statements from Belfast City Council highlight several recurring issues:
Vandalism to Graves: The cemetery has unfortunately been targeted repeatedly. Notable incidents include the destruction of headstones in the historic Jewish section, ongoing damage to Commonwealth War Graves, and even cases where youth gathered to burn pallets over unmarked plots.
Daytime Gathering and Drinking: Local councillors and community groups have frequently raised alarms over groups using the vast, secluded areas of the cemetery for drinking, drug use, and anti-social gatherings during the afternoon and evening, which explains the specific advice you received to stick strictly to the morning hours.
Security Initiatives: The issue has been severe enough that Belfast City Council has previously run pilot programs deploying specialised mobile CCTV, smart sensors, and AI-driven monitoring systems (such as the Smart Belfast initiatives) to track illegal footfall and gathering after hours or in remote corners of the grounds.
Your strategy of arriving early in the morning is the precise recommendation shared by locals and regular visitors to ensure a peaceful, uninterrupted window for photography.
MY JULY 2026 VISIT