Samson and Goliath Cranes
Massive yellow shipbuilding cranes, symbols of Belfast's industrial heritage, with 140m spans.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
See their impressive yellow color
Samson and Goliath Cranes
Best Time
See their impressive yellow color
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Massive yellow shipbuilding cranes, symbols of Belfast's industrial heritage, with 140m spans.
"These giant yellow cranes are icons of Belfast’s shipbuilding past. They’re so big, it feels like they could lift the whole city!"
📸 Great Photo Backdrop
Perfect for striking photos against the Belfast skyline. Capture their immense scale!
🚶♂️ View from Afar
Cranes are fenced off, so enjoy the view from the perimeter.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Samson and Goliath Cranes
Harland and Wolff Shipyard, East Belfast
Massive yellow shipbuilding cranes dominating the Belfast skyline, symbols of industrial might.
Skyline Dominance
Visible from various points in East Belfast
These towering structures are instantly recognizable landmarks, offering a dramatic backdrop.
Industrial History
Harland and Wolff Shipyard
A tangible connection to Belfast's shipbuilding heritage, showcasing immense engineering.
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Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
View from a Distance
Symbol of Industrial Heritage
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Great Photo Backdrop
Perfect for striking photos against the Belfast skyline. Capture their immense scale!
🚶♂️ View from Afar
Cranes are fenced off, so enjoy the view from the perimeter.
💡 Industrial Icon
Appreciate their significance as symbols of Belfast's shipbuilding past.
🌃 Nighttime Glow
See them lit up at night, a unique sight near the airport.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Great Photo Backdrop
Perfect for striking photos against the Belfast skyline. Capture their immense scale!
🚶♂️ View from Afar
Cranes are fenced off, so enjoy the view from the perimeter.
💡 Industrial Icon
Appreciate their significance as symbols of Belfast's shipbuilding past.
🌃 Nighttime Glow
See them lit up at night, a unique sight near the airport.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors acknowledge the Samson and Goliath Cranes as iconic symbols of Belfast's industrial heritage, offering impressive visual backdrops for photographs. However, many note that they are not an attraction to visit up close as they are fenced off and there's limited activity beyond viewing.
"These cranes dominate the skyline as you walk around East Belfast. They are situated on the Harland and Wolff shipyard. Goliath was erected in 1969 and Samson in 1974.
They are not worth a special visit. They are fenced off, so you cannot get close to them.
They make a nice backdrop to photographs, though."
Shelley C
"These giant yellow cranes are icons of Belfast’s shipbuilding past. They’re so big, it feels like they could lift the whole city! I kept joking they look like lazy Transformers on a coffee break. Still, they’re cool to see and great for photo (:"
Anıl KARADAVUT
"Seeing these gantries that dominate the city skyline up close allows you to appreciate their sheer scale and discern details missed from a distance. The patches of rust interrupting the vibrant yellow, the geometric Krupp logo on Goliath's end, the high windows in the red boxes that sit on top of both. These cranes are ever present in the consciousness of the citizens of Belfast, a constant steadfast feature, instantly recognisable landmarks and symbols of heavy industry so prevalent in the city's past. By night, the glow of red lights at their highest points provide illumination for planes landing and taking off from the nearby George Best City airport. The cranes do move, though I've never seen this happening. Maybe you will."
J Macormac
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The cranes are located at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in East Belfast. They are visible from many parts of the city, but direct access is restricted. You can get close to the perimeter fence for viewing and photos. Public transport options like buses can take you to the East Belfast area, from where you can walk towards the shipyard.
While there isn't dedicated visitor parking directly at the shipyard due to its operational nature, you may find street parking in the surrounding East Belfast neighborhoods. Be mindful of local parking restrictions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, tickets are not required to see the Samson and Goliath Cranes. They are visible from public areas around the shipyard, and there is no admission fee.
No, the Harland and Wolff shipyard is an active industrial site and is fenced off. Visitors cannot enter the shipyard grounds to get closer to the cranes. Viewing is from the perimeter.
The best viewing spots are from the perimeter fence of the shipyard in East Belfast. They are also visible from various elevated points across the city, offering a sense of their scale.
📸 📸 Photography
Daytime offers the best view of their iconic yellow color. However, at night, they are illuminated and provide a dramatic, different perspective, especially near the George Best City Airport.
Try capturing them from a distance to emphasize their scale against the skyline. Shots from the perimeter fence can highlight their imposing presence.
🎫 ℹ️ History & Significance
Erected in 1969 (Goliath) and 1974 (Samson), these massive cranes were built for shipbuilding at the Harland and Wolff shipyard. They are iconic symbols of Belfast's industrial past and its significant contribution to shipbuilding.
While they are historical landmarks, the cranes are part of an active industrial site. It's possible they are still used for certain operations, though their primary role is now as a symbol of heritage.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
📸 Photographers
Remember that access is limited to the perimeter fence. This constraint can be used creatively to emphasize the cranes' imposing nature. Look for interesting angles that highlight their geometric forms and their relationship with the surrounding industrial landscape. The contrast between the man-made giants and the natural sky can also yield compelling images.
🚢 History Buffs
While you can't tour the shipyard, understanding the history of these cranes – their construction, purpose, and the industry they served – provides a deeper appreciation for their presence. They stand as a testament to the engineering prowess and the thousands of workers who contributed to Belfast's industrial legacy.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Scale and Symbolism
Many visitors find that no photograph truly captures their immense scale. The vibrant yellow paint, though sometimes interrupted by patches of rust, adds to their striking visual impact. On clear days, they stand as proud monuments to a bygone era. At night, the red lights atop their highest points serve as navigational aids for planes landing at the nearby George Best City Airport, adding another layer to their functional significance.
While there's no 'activity' to engage in directly with the cranes, appreciating them from the perimeter offers a unique perspective on Belfast's history. They are more than just cranes; they are landmarks that have shaped the city's identity and continue to be a source of pride and recognition for its residents.
![Titanic Belfast - Titanic Belfast, a museum for all things Titanic related. One of the things you will often hear here is, "We [the Northern Irish] built it, but the English [the English captain] sank it." (May, 2020)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.unsplash.com%2Fphoto-1593341674631-2a4510e5d6aa%3Fcrop%3Dentropy%26cs%3Dtinysrgb%26fit%3Dmax%26fm%3Djpg%26ixid%3DM3w3ODc2Nzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxUaXRhbmljJTIwQmVsZmFzdHxlbnwwfDB8fHwxNzU5Mzk4MzkyfDA%26ixlib%3Drb-4.1.0%26q%3D80%26w%3D1080&w=3840&q=75)
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