About the Society

The Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society (commonly known as The Belfast Society) was founded in 1821 to promote knowledge in the arts and sciences and today provides a lecture programme based at the Old Museum Building, 6 College Square North.

The Society provides a forum for debate on important cultural issues, reflecting the intellectual life of Belfast and Ireland.

The Society also supports research and publications about Ireland and Ulster’s cultural and material environment.

Members are entitled to come to lectures and events arranged by the Society annually (including outings and book launches) and are encouraged to participate in the running of the Society.

The Old Museum Building is one of Belfast’s finest neo-classical buildings and also has connections with the Ulster Museum, where its former collections are housed.