Queen's Square, Belfast runs from High Street to Donegall Quay. Visitors to the modern-day city or the Maritime Mile trail will find it between the Albert Memorial Clock and "The Big Fish". During the Second World War, the square survived the Belfast Blitz, which destroyed much of the nearby High Street.
Queen’s Square marks the centre of the oldest part of Belfast. The city takes its name from the River Farset, which still flows beneath High Street and Queen’s Square before emptying into the Lagan at Donegall Quay. Prior to the visit of Queen Victoria in 1849, the square was Hanover Quay. The building at No. 29-31, housing McHugh’s Bar is thought to be the oldest in the city, dating back to around 1711.
Queen's Square in 1939
The following information is taken from the 1939 Belfast Street Directory.
| Number | First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | D. | Malcolm | Wallpaper Merchant |
| 3. | W.G. Acheson Ltd. | Flour and Bran Merchants | |
| 5. | P.W. | Fusco | Restaurant |
| 7. | James Young and Co. Ltd. | Carriers | |
| 7. | Queen's Taxi Co. | ||
| 9. | William Doig and Co. Ltd. | Wholesale Druggists | |
| 11. | A. Dougal and Son Ltd. | Shipping and General Forwarding Agents | |
| 13. | F.A. Porter and Co. | Engineers and Agents | |
| 13. | Windsor Floors Ltd. | Concrete Flooring Contractors | |
| 13. | Williams and Watson Ltd. | Steel Window and Fireproof Door Manufacturers | |
| 13. | Wright and Gray | Financiers | |
| 15. | Albert Discount Co. | ||
| 17. | James | Walker | Packing Manufacturer |
| 19-21. | Vacant | ||
| 23. | Robert | Brown | Commission Agent |
| 23. | Belfast Discount Co. | ||
| 23. | J. | Epstein | Financier |
| 23. | Mrs. A. | Sankey | |
| 23. | Lombard Taxi Company | ||
| 23. | A. | Topping | Agent |
| 27. | Alexander McCann Ltd. | Publicans | |
| 29. | Madeline | Megarry | Tobacconist and Confectioner |
| 31-33. | W.J. | Hendron | Publican |
| 31. | Mary | Hanna | Tea Rooms |
| 35-37. | P.J. | McCusker | Wine and Spirit Merchant |
| 39. | M. | Fionda | Confectioner |
| 41. | Daniel | Flynn | Commission Agent |
| 43. | Thomas W. | Quinn | Publican |
| 45. | T. McKaig Ltd. | Carriers | |
| 47. | Portal Inspection Office | ||
| 49. | Vacant | ||
| 2. | Northern Banking Co. Ltd. | ||
| 2. | Mrs. | D'Arcy | |
| 2. | John | Taylor | Porter |
| 4. | The Blakiston-Houston Estate Co. | ||
| 4. | Crawford and Lockhart | Solicitors | |
| 6. | H.M. Stationery Office |
Belfast Telegraph / National Museums NI Photograph: HOYFM.BT.390. A seaman in uniform stands outside the licensed premises of W.J. Hendron on Queen's Square, Belfast. The Albert Clock in the distance towers over a Public Air Raid Shelter. Photo taken on 20th October 1943. Copyright Belfast Telegraph.
Queen's Square in 1943
The following information is taken from the 1943 Belfast Street Directory.
| Number | First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | D. | Malcolm | Wallpaper Merchant |
| 3. | W.G. Acheson Ltd. | Flour and Bran Merchants | |
| 5. | P.W. | Fusco | Restaurant |
| 7. | James Young and Co. Ltd. | Carriers | |
| 7. | Queen's Taxi Co. | ||
| 9. | William Doig and Co. Ltd. | Wholesale Druggists | |
| 11. | A. Dougal and Son Ltd. | Shipping and General Forwarding Agents | |
| 13. | W. | Armstrong | Agent |
| 13. | Hamilton, McCreadie and Co. | Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants | |
| 15. | Albert Discount Co. | ||
| 17. | M.R. McCausland and Co. | Mill Furnishers and Twine Merchants | |
| 19-21. | R.G. Laughlin and Sons Ltd. | Wholesale and Retail Hardware | |
| 23. | Robert | Brown | Commission Agent |
| 23. | Belfast Discount Co. | ||
| 23. | J. | Epstein | Financier |
| 23. | Lombard Taxi Company | ||
| 23. | A. | Topping | Agent |
| 23. | C. | Freedman | Financier |
| 27. | Alexander McCann Ltd. | Publicans | |
| 29. | Madeline | Megarry | Tobacconist and Confectioner |
| 31-33. | W.J. | Hendron | Publican |
| 31. | Mary | Hanna | Tea Rooms |
| 35-37. | P.J. | McCusker | Wine and Spirit Merchant |
| 39. | M. | Fionda | Confectioner |
| 41. | Daniel | Flynn | Commission Agent |
| 43. | Thomas W. | Quinn | Publican |
| 45. | T. McKaig Ltd. | Carriers | |
| 47-49. | Occupied by His Majesty's Government | ||
| 2. | Northern Banking Co. Ltd. | ||
| 2. | Mrs. | D'Arcy | |
| 4. | The Blakiston-Houston Estate Co. | ||
| 4. | Crawford and Lockhart | Solicitors | |
| 6. | H.M. Stationery Office |