Belfast’s Assembly Rooms on list of ‘at risk’ global sites

John Darlington, from the WMF, said that the watch list had started in 1996 and highlighted important sites across the world that were at risk.

“They’re important because of their local resonance but also their international resonance,” he told BBC News NI.

“They need attention now.

“People know and appreciate it locally, but actually an international audience is also finding this place really exciting.

“There are many things that we can learn from it that go well beyond the sight and sound of the actual building.”

Emma Sweeney, from the WMF, said the Assembly Rooms was “a really significant building in the heart of the city”.

“The 19th century facade was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the architect who also designed Queen’s University, Belfast,” she said.

“It also has a really great proposal to turn it back into a cultural heritage venue for the people of Belfast.

“It was always a place of convening and it has an opportunity to do that again.

“This is an incredible asset.”